Finding the dollars needed to operate a college is a major challenge, especially for educational leaders endeavoring to raise their institutions' overall level of excellence. In many Southeastern states, two-year colleges have responded to declines in revenue by increasing tuition and other fees and in some cases putting the cost of college beyond the reach of the students two-year colleges were created to serve. Establishing legally incorporated college foundations and fund raising within the private sector can brighten the financial outlook for community colleges. The success of the foundation rests to a strong degree on the strength of its board of directors which should be composed of top leaders from the communities served by the college. The total development program should consist of at least three parts: (1) an annual fund program, which allows all of the college constituents to participate and which fosters the "habit of giving"; (2) a major gifts campaign, which usually concentrates on soliciting significant gifts from a select number of donors; and (3) a planned giving program, which ranges from simple bequests to life income trusts, insurance policies, pooled income funds, and other arrangements. Though most relevant principles of the tax laws regarding charitable giving were retained in the new tax legislation, some provisions may change the bottom line costs of a charitable gift. However, tax implications are probably not the most important consideration in gift giving. The educational environment is characterized by a new demand for excellence, and by a new spirit of cooperation and mutuality of support. Colleges that are identified as doing the job the way it should be done will find a great reservoir of private support. (EJV)