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 $148,000 has been raised since the first tournament in 2004. The Bigfoot Golf Classic sells out fast so contact 434-5063 for information on participating.

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. Through this endowment, donors can help address the priority needs of the colleges today and in years to come.

Current Needs: Cash/stock/planned gifts
 

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 2009 STCU/Exceptional Faculty Award recipients, click here.

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

 

  

SFCC Planetarium

Construction is now underway on a new science building at Spokane Falls Community College (SFCC). This building will be a state-of-the art learning facility for SFCC students and will provide an opportunity to engage K-12 students and the community at-large through the addition of a planetarium.

SFCC has been successful in establishing dedicated space in the new structure for the planetarium, but funding is needed to complete construction. Students at the school directed $200,000 toward the project to purchase projection equipment. The foundation is now seeking $250,000 to fund the construction of an exterior dome for the planetarium, thereby fulfilling the original vision for a planetarium on the SFCC campus.


Current Needs: Cash/stock gifts






SCC Temporary Aircraft Hangar

Spokane Community College’s (SCC) aviation maintenance technology program will soon relocate to a 6-acre parcel near the Spokane International Airport. The lease for the program’s current location has expired and renewing it would increase the annual cost six-fold—from $14,000 to $92,000.

SCC is working with the Spokane Airport Authority and the Washington Air National Guard to coordinate a land swap that would result in SCC owning the property near the airport. The new site also has an existing building with offices and classroom space, but no hangar-a critical part of the program. The foundation is conducting a campaign to raise $60,000 for a temporary hangar that would expedite the move and provide needed hangar space until a permanent structure can be built.

Aircraft Hangar Fact Sheet 

Click here to learn more about the program.

Current Needs: Cash/in-kind 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 and Spokane Falls Community College. Each year, students at SCC design and construct a residential house, and SFCC Interior Design students select the interior finishes. 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.
 

• Architectural technology
• Carpentry
• HVAC
• Interior Design 

• 13 houses completed
• $491,000 in Touch the Future scholarships awarded
• $243,000 in program support given to Spokane Community College
• Over 180 donors

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

Photos of all Touch the Future Houses

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 premiere and oldest establishments, The Spokane Club. Students from the Inland Northwest Culinary Academy will work alongside the chefs at the Spokane Club to prepare a savory four course meal that will be 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. Over $100,000 has been raised over the last three years.

 

Current Needs: Sponsors, event attendees, silent and live auction items.