CCS Foundation

Special Projects and Events

Annual Fund

The Annual Fund is an integral part of CCS Foundation's overall fundraising efforts. Annual Fund gifts make a profound impact on students and faculty members throughout Spokane Community College, Spokane Falls Community College, and the Institute for Extended Learning. Gifts to the fund provide scholarships, enrich academic programs, and improve campus facilities, while providing rewards and development opportunities for faculty.

Contributions to the Annual Fund may take many forms. Your contribution may be directed to a particular scholarship or program, or you may prefer to support areas of greatest need at CCS through an unrestricted gift. By giving to the Annual Fund, you are enabling students to follow their dreams, discover their potential and do great things.

Current Needs: Cash/stock/planned gifts

Each year, CCS Foundation and CCS Athletic Departments team up to host this top-notch tournament to benefit student athletic scholarships and community involvement activities. This event is a wonderful opportunity to contribute toward the success of CCS students and the community colleges as well as enjoying a great round of golf. Over $56,000 has been raised since the first tournament in 2004. The Bigfoot Golf Classic sells out fast so contact 434-5063 for information on participating.

2007 Bigfoot Golf Classic Photos

Current Needs: Sponsors and participants for the 2008 event



The Center for Entrepreneurship at SCC

CCS Foundation is collaborating with SCC's business, hospitality and information technologies division to develop an integrated business and entrepreneurship program, offering a hands-on approach to training future business leaders and entrepreneurs. Students participate in a year-long interdisciplinary business experience through the Center for Entrepreneurship where they create a business from the ground up. Local business and community leaders and college instructors guide student teams through the process. Donations to the Center will change the future for aspiring entrepreneurs and strengthen our community and business environment. Click here to learn more about this exciting program. 

Ways to Support (pdf)

Current Needs: Cash contributions to develop curriculum and build infrastructure as well as establish an endowment to ensure continued success of program, in-kind gifts of office equipment and furnishings.

Emerging Needs Endowment

The Emerging Needs Endowment was created to provide ongoing funding for the pressing needs of the colleges and its students. Donations to this endowment will be matched by CCS Foundation on a $3-$1 basis and will be permanently invested, with only a portion of the interest income spent annually.

Current Needs: Cash/stock/planned gifts

Faculty and Staff Mini-Grants

In the fall of 2006, CCS Foundation launched a new mini-grant program to address two funding priorities: projects that enhance student learning opportunities, and projects that cannot be financially supported by the colleges. Faculty and staff from throughout the district were invited to submit proposals.
In its inaugural round of mini-grants, 37 proposals were received and a total of $10,000 was awarded to 14 projects. The volume of applications and the high quality of the proposals clearly demonstrated the need for such a program and the foundation hopes to make the mini-grant program an annual event.

In the fall of 2007, 28 applications were submitted for consideration. Members of the evaluation committee included CCS Foundation Board members Craig Soehren and Lionel Greenwood, CCS representatives Bob Schlim, Rene Goffinet, and Alison Ninmann, and foundation staff members Gail Stevenson and Patci Ryan. Each application was carefully reviewed and discussed in terms of how the proposed project demonstrated a commitment to student learning and the college community.

To learn more about the 07-08 mini-grant recipients, click here.

Current Needs: Cash/stock/planned gifts

Medical Imaging Core Curriculum at SCC 

In partnership with SCC, CCS Foundation is conducting a $200,000 fundraising initiative to expand educational offerings in medical imaging. SCC's goal is to offer a full complement of diagnostic imaging programs, including cardiology, radiology, sonography, nuclear, pulmonary and radiation therapy. A core curriculum must be developed, followed by curriculum for each specialty area. The foundation's goal is to equip an energized radiology technology laboratory and a sonography laboratory, and to develop a medical imaging core curriculum that includes an ultrasound program.

CCS Foundation established the Exceptional Faculty Award Endowment Fund in 1997. It has been funded with matching dollars from the Washington State Legislature and the foundation. In 2003, the foundation partnered with Spokane Teacher's Credit Union (STCU) in an effort to award more Exceptional Faculty awards each year. With a significant contribution from STCU, an additional $70,000 was added to the endowment allowing the foundation to award four more Exceptional Faculty awards each year.

The funds are endowed, enabling the foundation to use interest earned to make the annual awards. A district-wide committee is appointed to develop criteria for nomination and a timeline for the nomination process.

To view the 2006 STCU/Exceptional Faculty Award recipients, click here.

Touch the Future House

The Touch the Future House project is a unique partnership between CCS Foundation and the building trades programs at Spokane Community College. Each year, students at SCC design, construct and landscape a residential house. The foundation underwrites the construction costs and sells the completed house on the open market. Proceeds benefit the Touch the Future Scholarship fund and programs affiliated with the project.

• Five programs involved each year
  • Architectural technology
  • Carpentry
  • HVAC
  • Landscape/Horticulture
• 10 houses completed
• $312,500 in Touch the Future scholarships awarded
• $191,300 in program support given to Spokane Community College
• Over 100 donations

Current Needs: In-kind contributions of building supplies and services, cash, future building sites

Photos of all Touch the Future Houses

For more information about these events or projects, please contact the CCS Foundation office at (509) 434-5123.

Wine & Gourmet Gala— March 16, 2008 - Spencer's Restaurant

Featuring "one of the most famous small wineries in the Pacific Northwest", Leonetti Cellar. Gary Figgins was on hand at the event to comment as each wine was poured.

The CCS Foundation held another  fabulous evening of fine dining and outstanding wines at one of Spokane's premier restaurants. Students from the Inland Northwest Culinary Academy worked alongside the chefs at Spencer's Restaurant to prepare a savory four course meal that was paired with top local and regional wines. A silent auction gave attendees the chance to take home their favorite items while supporting the SCC's hospitality management department. Over $50,000 was raised this year.

Current Needs: Sponsors, event attendees, silent auction items