An award of $250K from the Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund to Central Oregon Community College’s (COCC) “Growing Together” fundraising campaign, with an additional $50K set in matching funds, is a major investment in the 24,000-square-foot educational facility and community resource taking shape at the Madras campus.
The project, to open in the winter of 2026, will house early childhood education programs, registered nurse and other health career pathways, and include a 100-capacity child care center to serve the region.
COCC’s expansion project in Madras is a response to Jefferson County’s needs related to early childhood education and health care workforce gaps, along with a major shortage of child care options in the region. Learn more at cocc.edu/growing together.
“We are immensely grateful to the Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund, a longtime supporter of COCC, for championing this vision for Jefferson County,” said Erin MacDonald (no relation), chair of the COCC Foundation board of trustees, who notes that the matching funds will be applied to contributions of $5,000 or less. “Their generous backing will help bring new access to health training programs and help address the child care need, benefiting countless families and futures.”
Under construction since early June, the Madras campus expansion is being funded through a mix of federal, state, institutional and other public resources. The COCC Foundation is seeking the remaining funds from private philanthropy and grants.
