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
Bigfoot Golf Classic— June 18, 2010, Downriver Golf Course
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.
2008 Bigfoot Golf Classic Photos
Current Needs: Sponsors and participants for the 2010 event
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 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 funding priorities for projects that enhance student learning opportunities and 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. In recognition of this, the foundation has made the mini-grant program an annual event.
In the fall of 2008, 28 applications were submitted for consideration. Members of the evaluation committee included CCS Foundation Board members Craig Soehren and Lionel Greenwood, CCS representatives Marlene Cortez, Linda Keys, Jenni Martin, Pat McGinty, Molly Popchock and Virginia Tomlinson, and foundation staff member 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. The committee was pleased to award 14 mini-grants for a total of $15,290.
To learn more about the 08-09 mini-grant recipients, click here.
To learn more about the 07-08 mini-grant recipients, click here.
Current Needs: Cash/stock/planned gifts
STCU/CCS Foundation Exceptional Faculty Awards
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 additional 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 2008 STCU/Exceptional Faculty Award recipients, click here.
Current Needs: Cash/stock/planned gifts
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 fu
nd and programs affiliated with the project.
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Four programs involved each year
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Architectural technology
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Carpentry
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HVAC
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Landscape/Horticulture
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12 houses completed
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$407,000 in Touch the Future scholarships awarded
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$217,348 in program support given to Spokane Community College
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Over 160 donors
Current Needs: In-kind contributions of building supplies and services, cash, future building sites
For more information about the Touch the Future House project, please contact the CCS Foundation office at (509) 434-5128.
Wine & Gourmet Gala— March 12, 2010 - The Spokane Club
The CCS Foundation will hold another fabulous evening of fine dining and outstanding wines at one of Spokane's premier establishments. Students from the Inland Northwest Culinary Academy worked alongside the chefs at the Spokane Club to prepare a savory four course meal that was paired with top local and regional wines. A silent and live auction will give attendees the chance to take home their favorite items while supporting the SCC's hospitality management department and the CCS Foundation. $54,000 was raised last year.
Current Needs: Sponsors, event attendees, silent and live auction items.