Montgomery County launches UNCF workplace giving campaign with $30,000 scholarship goal

Commissioner Carolyn Rice and Commissioner Mary A. McDonald heard a presentation from Jessica Jenkins, Director of Human Services Planning and Development, and Harry Fulmore, a regional UNCF representative, about the 2026 Montgomery County UNCF Workplace Giving Campaign and the county’s goal to raise $30,000 for the Montgomery County Scholarship Program.

Jenkins said the campaign will include payroll deduction, online credit-card donations, raffles, virtual trivia, bake sales and other activities; funds will benefit students who are Montgomery County residents, incoming college freshmen or sophomores with demonstrated unmet financial need and a minimum 2.5 GPA. The county’s outreach materials identify the application steps (FAFSA and the Montgomery County Scholars application) and provide a short link for applicants (bit.ly/MC_UNCF). The campaign materials note that Montgomery County is currently the "#1 Campaign in the Region" and set a $30,000 target for 2026.

Harry Fulmore described UNCF’s role in awarding scholarships and supporting student success; campaign slides cited UNCF programs and stated that the organization awards more than $100 million annually through over 400 scholarship programs. The presentation highlighted changes to federal student aid that, according to the materials and Fulmore’s remarks, make local scholarship support more important. The presentation also included the campaign slogan: "A mind is a terrible thing to waste, but a wonderful thing to invest in…"

The board placed an agreement with UNCF on the agenda (Resolution 26-0206) to establish the 2026 Montgomery County Scholarship Program and to authorize UNCF to provide administrative services for the scholarship program through Dec. 31, 2026. The resolution appears on the consent docket.