Dreams! The sparks that ignite a flame of hope and ambition. The attainment of many of the dreams of our young people is dependent upon obtaining a solid education. Education has proven to be an important component of a successful career. Most experts agree that America requires an educated workforce to compete effectively in the global market.

This makes it more and more difficult for those without a college degree to fully participate in this changing world. The cost of a college education is rising just as fast as the demand for educated workforce. Over the past 10 years, college tuition and fees have increased 84 percent in private and 100 percent in public four-year schools. High tuition costs may prevent many of our youths from pursuing their higher education goals.

The Hord Foundation provides the financial assistance to those who want and deserve a college education. The Foundation is a community organization made up of volunteers committed to keeping the doors of education wide open.

The legacy of the Hord Foundation is evidenced by the achievements of its scholarship recipients. Hord scholars have gone on to become lawyers, doctors, actors, educators and business leaders and are making significant contributions to their communities. And the Foundation's impact is spreading - in 1998, Hord Scholars formed an alumni association committed to assisting high school students in a variety of ways by serving as mentors and providing workshops to interested students; the alumni group will thereby stimulate a new group of Hord Scholars.

In order to continue to expand its assistance to deserving students seeking a quality education, The Hord Foundation depends on continued growth in the number and generosity of its supporters. Such generosity was evidenced in 1998 by the creation of a $100,000 endowment fund by the partners of Weeden & Company, an investment firm located in Greenwich , Connecticut . Don Weeden and his wife Pat, a Hord Foundation Advisory Director have been strong supporters of the Foundation and its mission and Mr. Weeden, in honor of Mrs. Weeden, contributed an additional $100,000 to the endowment fund.

It is the contributions, both large and small, of its hundreds of supporters along with the hard work of many dedicated volunteers that have made the Foundation a success. With your help, The Hord Foundation can continue to fulfill its mission of investing in the future of our youth. Help us help others realize their dreams.