BUTLER TWP — Butler County Community College plans to launch a large-scale fundraising campaign next year, when its target goal and beneficiaries will be announced.

The BC3 trustees on Wednesday approved the campaign to be run by the BC3 Education Foundation, the college’s fundraising branch.

Ruth Purcell, director of the foundation, said the next step is to assemble a steering committee, which will include college trustees, foundation board members and community members.

“Over the summer, when we meet with people, that’s when you really start evaluating where gifts will come from. Based on those conversations, as well as the needs of the projects, you set a (fundraising) goal,” she said. “This all is very preliminary.”

In January, Purcell told the BC3 trustees the results of a feasibility study done last year on whether a major fundraising campaign would be fruitful.

At that time, Purcell said 97 percent of community feedback on the college was favorable, as was confidence in its leadership, quality of education and role in the community.

That was based on the survey of 75 people who are in positions to help the college’s fundraising effort, she said.

Upgrades to the college’s Beck Library emerged as the top initiative that respondents supported.

BC3’s last fundraising campaign began in 1999. Called “Invest in the Future,” the campaign raised $4 million and help build the Science, Technology and Cultural Center, which includes the Succop Theater.