DCTC News Briefs

THE GIFT OF EDUCATION

YOUR GIFT WILL CHANGE THE FUTURE.

Donating to the foundations of DCTC and Inver Hills transforms lives, ensures college is accessible for all students, and helps make dreams come true.

WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE

Cash gifts provide funds for scholarships, emergency grants, and program support. Gifts can be used to create a named scholarship in honor of a loved one or mentor. You can also establish a permanent scholarship endowment of $25,000 or more. The gift of an endowment provides scholarships for many years, thus having an impact far into the future.

CORPORATE MATCHING GIFT

More than 1,000 companies and corporate foundations in the U.S. currently match employee gifts to nonprofit organizations such as DCTC and Inver Hills Foundations. To learn more about your company’s employee matching gift program, please check with your company’s Human Resources department.

Use AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com) and select either DCTC or Inver Hills Foundation as the beneficiary of 0.5% of your eligible purchases at no additional cost.

EQUIPMENT DONATIONS

Support programs by donating equipment or cash to purchase equipment.

JOIN OUR LEGACY SOCIETY

The Legacy Society is an exceptional group who generously include the College Foundation in their estate plans. Please contact a development director to learn more about including the Foundation in your: • Will • Revocable living trust, charitable reminder trust, or charitable lead trust • 401k, IRS, or other qualified plan • Charitable gift annuity • Life insurance policy • Savings account or certificate of deposit • Stock, real estate, or other assets

TAX-FREE GIFT FROM YOUR IRA

If you are 70½ or older, use your IRA charitable rollover to make a tax-free gift. This allows you to transfer any amount up to $100,000 directly to the Foundation without paying income tax on the distribution.

MEET OUR STAFF

KIM SHAFF

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FOUNDATIONS AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Kim Shaff is the Executive Director of Dakota County Technical College and Inver Hills Community College Foundations where she oversees development, alumni, grants, scholarships, and community relations.

Kim has a Master’s degree from the University of Utah in Human Ecology and also holds Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Human Development & Family Studies. Before joining the colleges in 2014, Kim worked at several non-profits assisting and advocating for low income individuals and families.

Kim enjoys spending time with her daughters and friends, using her creativity, challenging herself with DIY projects, and exploring nature’s beauty.

ELSBETH HOWE

DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR INVER HILLS FOUNDATION

Elsbeth serves as development director and is responsible for grant-writing, fundraising, event-planning, the alumni association and scholarship administration at Inver Hills Community College. She seeks to connect and introduce alumni and community members with engagement opportunities at the college.

Prior to this, Elsbeth served as executive director at Students United, an advocacy and scholarship nonprofit organization. The majority of her career has been in higher education, and her roles have included lobbyist, instructor and student senate advisor. She graduated from Drake University and earned her law degree from the University of Iowa. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in philanthropic studies from Indiana University.

Elsbeth and her husband have three children, a daughter at the University of Minnesota, a son at Century College and one son in high school.

CHRIS HINRICHS

BUSINESS & ACCOUNTING COORDINATOR DCTC AND INVER HILLS

As the Business and Accounting Coordinator, Chris is responsible for all things financial such as donations, financial reporting, general ledger, endowments, audits, accounts receivable/payable, and bank reconciliations.

Chris started at Inver Hills in 1990 working in Records & Registration, Financial Aid, and Academic Affairs. She completed her BS Degree in Accounting in 2001 and began doing accounting and grant management for the Customized Training team. She has been working for the Foundation since 2017.

In her free time, Chris enjoys camping, motorcycling, hiking, and spending time with her husband and two sons. One of her sons is a recent DCTC graduate of the Electrical Lineworker program.

AMY EPPEN

DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR DCTC FOUNDATION

As Development Director, Amy builds relationships with local organizations and business partners while sharing the great work at DCTC. She is responsible for fund-raising, grant-writing, event-planning, and administering scholarships. As the Alumni Association manager, she engages with DCTC students as they approach graduation and oversees the Alumni Advisory Board, coordinates events, and leads the annual fund drive.

Amy joined DCTC in August of 2009 as an Enrollment Advisor and Financial Aid Specialist, following her role as a One Stop Services Counselor at the University of Minnesota. While there, she completed her Master’s degree.

Amy is married to Matt, a high school teacher and basketball coach, and they have two daughters. The Eppens enjoy spending time at the beach each summer.

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