Greetings! The Northern Virginia Community College Educational Foundation was established to provide additional financial support for the College's students and programs. Created in October 1979 as a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, it strives to obtain resources from private individuals, businesses and other foundations to enhance the College's mission. Gifts to the Foundation are tax deductible under Section 170 of the Internal Revenue Service Code. The NOVA Educational Foundation accepts gifts of cash, securities, real estate, insurance policies and in-kind gifts. Charitable gift annuities, remainder unitrusts, bequests, life-income plans and memorial gifts can be arranged for the donor's and College's benefit. The Foundation offers scholarships for currently enrolled students and enhancing the Scholarship Fund is a Foundation priority.  

Some of the private funds are used for:

• providing scholarships
• faculty development
• capital needs  

The three talented individuals who seamlessly run NOVA's Educational Foundation are:

• John J. Ruffino, Executive Director
  John Ruffino is the Foundation's executive director. Before coming to NOVA, he served as acting director of research in the office of institutional advancement at the University of Maryland System and as executive director of the University of Maryland Alumni Association International, Inc. He is also a former aide to U.S. Senator Christopher J. Dodd (D-CT). Mr. Ruffino oversees all Foundation activities and seeks major gifts from foundations, corporations and individuals. Mr. Ruffino earned his undergraduate degree in political science and history from Marquette University and his master's in public relations from American University.  
• Bonnie L. Idle, Assistant Director
  Bonnie Idle is the Foundation's assistant director and is responsible for working with the NOVA Alumni Federation and the Foundation's many scholarships. Ms. Idle has been with NOVA for 13 years. Prior to coming to NOVA, she worked for federal government for 10 years. Ms. Idle graduated from NOVA in 1991 with a degree in business management and received her bachelor's degree from George Mason University, August 2000.
• Michelle Beaini, Administrative & Program Specialist
  Michelle Beaini joined the NOVA Educational Foundation staff in August 2002. She received her A.S. degree in Information Systems Technology from NOVA in May 2003.

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