FOUNDATION ANNUALREPORT2021 SOUTH PUGET SOUND COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION
In this Issue 2022 Foundation Board Letter from the Board President and the Executive Director Our Mission ................................................................................................1 2021 Highlights ......................................................................................... 2 Student Success ....................................................................................... 3 Nursing Student Helps Pave the Way For Healthy Communities ... 4 Scholarship Impact .................................................................................. 5 Campus Cares Supporters Double Down On Giving ......................... 6 Community Centric Approaches to Equity at SPSCC ........................ 7 Merritt and Marsha Long's Learning Seed Partnership ..................... 8 Community Engagement ...................................................................... 10 Impact of Planned Giving: How Edith Arnold Paid It Forward ....... 12 Honoring Our Closest Supporters ...................................................... 14 Corporate Champions ........................................................................... 15 South Puget Sound Community College Foundation
3Annual Report | 2021 2022 Foundation Board Ben Shah, President Annie Iriye, Vice President Thomas Henderson, Treasurer Judith Hartmann, Trustee Liaison Linda Villegas Bremer JaNessa Bumgarner F. Marland Chancellor Brent Dille Adán DanaCharlieDarylValerieEspinoFluetschFourtnerFrankGarson Marcus Glasper Cindy Hough Tony TimothyCarriePaulTedBecciJasonDanielSusanLynnettePhyllisLindgrenMandelMcCartyMeenkC.O’NeillRobertsonRyderSchultzW.ValentineWhislerStokes,SPSCC President Tanya Mote, Executive Director Evan Skytte, Director of Development Beth Schluter, Director of Finance and Scholarships Mike Christensen, Campaign and Major Gift Officer Nathan Sharkey, Executive Assistant Ann Rogers-Williams, Development Specialist - Marketing and Annual Giving LeeAnn Thompson, Development Specialist - Database Management Vy Tran, Office Assistant Mary Lou Boles, Fiscal Specialist Foundation Staff
We continue to be inspired by the generosity of our community through these challenging times. 2021 focused on efforts to meet the needs of students in real time. We did this through the Student Success campaign by increasing financial support of students and diversity initiatives. We are particularly proud of the creation of the Targeted Impact Fund and the work of the Board Equity Action Team which are making investments of resources and implementing strategies towards closing the equity gap.
Ben Shah SPSCC Foundation Board President Tanya Mote SPSCC Foundation Executive Director
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Dear Generous Partners,
The fund invested in Black Scholars, IGNITE, part-time student scholarships, and vaccine incentive scholarships this year. We are committed to continuing our work to close the opportunity and equity gaps as we move forward.
As we close out the Student Success Campaign in 2022, we will be in a stronger financial position and will continue to grow resources to help students and the college grow and thrive. We could not do this work without our many partners and supporters.
mission
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the
Foundation is to engage community and build resources to support success for all students. Our Mission Foundation Board President Ben Shah and Foundation Executive Director Tanya Mote.
The of SPSCC
For
Student Success
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To
spscc.edu/foundation/give-now. *Does not include investment activity REVENUE* SupportStudent 91%EventsSpecial 6% In-Kind 1%SupportProgramCollege 2% SPSCC Foundation Total Assets Over 10 Years 2012 $6,351,764 2013 $7,039,059 2014 $7,224,054 2015 $7,243,439 2016 $7,371,370 2017 $8,597,295 2018 $7,879,981 2019 $9,873,587 2020 $13,956,569 2021 $16,408,251 2021: $16,408,251
Student Success means all SPSCC students receive an education that is innovative, accessible, and affordable. The Student Success Fund provides flexible funding to meet the real time needs of students. The fund provides direct financial aid to students, supports college opportunity programs in closing equity gaps, and allows the modernization of classroom equipment and curriculum. example, this fund has the flexibility to provide emergency grants to students needing housing, tuition to students to stay on track to graduate, and to support the success of historically underserved students through programs like Black Scholars and IGNITE. support emerging needs with a donation to the Student Success Fund, go online at
3Annual Report | 2021 2021 Highlights The Foundation provided $1.3 million in support to the college from January to December 31, 2021 in the following areas: ⊲ $739,947 in student scholarships, grants, and staff and faculty professional development grants. ⊲ $91,435 in college program support, including support of Athletics, Allied Health, Food Pantry, Art Gallery and the Diversity Equity & Inclusion Center. ⊲ $478,234 in operational, investment fees and event expenses. 41% Tuition 21% Rent and Housing 14% Pre-College Tuition and Testing Fees 9% Power, Utilities, Medical & Child Care 7% Car Repair & Transportation 4% Tools & Supplies 3% Books AREAS SUPPORTOF ScholarshipsStudent SupportProgramCollege TrainingFaculty&Staff 13% 71%5%GrantsStudent 11% 59% Any Pathway 21% Healthcare 7% Business, Finance & Office Administration / Social Services & Education 4% Any Professional Technical Program 3% Automotive, Welding & Manufacturing 2% Information Technology / Science, Engineering & Math 2% Arts & Communication / Cultural Studies 2% Food, Beverage Arts & Hospitality Scholarships Grants 2021 Largest Areas of Support by Type
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After being out of school for 20 years, Patrick had to complete several classes to position himself to qualify for the nursing program application process. Once he got in, the support of caring faculty and staff fostered a sense of belonging, and the SPSCC Foundation provided financial support through grants and scholarships to help him focus on his dream.
2021, COVID-19 continued to create access challenges for all students. For nursing students like Patrick, it has also presented opportunities. While in the SPSCC program, Patrick was selected as one of twelve nursing students in the new Nurse Technology summer pilot program at Providence St. Peter hospital. He was also the only Nurse technician in the cohort to represent a community college. This experience positioned him to receive an offer from Providence St. Peter Hospital to become an Emergency Room nurse pending graduation and successful completion of the National has plans for giving back and enriching the lives of others through providing patient care in his community.
“As the second of six children to attend college, I aim to leave a legacy that motivates, energizes, and supplies hope for my children and their children that life can in fact be better.”
Puget Sound Community College Foundation
Nursing Student Helps Pave the Way for Healthy Communities
Returning to school as a nontraditional student to become an Emergency Room nurse while also providing for a family and raising three children is a tall order for anyone. But throughout 2021, Patrick Santos successfully overcame logistical hurdles, navigated his way through SPSCC’s rigorous nursing program, and has stayed on track to meet his goal with the help of the SPSCC Foundation and community.
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Scholarships make college more accessible and sustainable for students by giving them the bandwidth to focus on their studies.
Linnea Schwartz “I look forward to exploring different subjects, discovering my passions so that I can join a fulfilling career that I can look forward to every day knowing that I am truly making a difference in the world. I am pursuing this degree to show my family, my daughters, how to be strong, independent women; teaching them that they should always follow their dreams.”
Edward Johnson “I am proud to say that I am the first out of my siblings to graduate high school and the first to attend college. I began at SPSCC in fall 2020 and decided to study to become a paralegal. Soon, I plan on transferring to a four-year university where I can play volleyball and earn my bachelor’s degree in Paralegal Studies.”
Scholarship Impact
Larry and Betty Tucker Endowed Scholarship in Healthcare Thomas Seal
Automotive, Welding & Machining Pathway Automotive Technology Program Scholarship
Social Services & Education Pathway Strait Family Endowed Scholarship Contact us to start a scholarship: foundation@spscc.edu
Government, Public & Nonprofit Administration Pathway LGBTQ+ Fund Scholarship
“I’ve had the privilege of participating in the Automotive Technology program for less than one year and already my automotive understanding has grown profoundly. I appreciate the hard work of the faculty and it has been an awesome experience. I’m excited to start a new career in the automotive industry and this scholarship will make that dream a possibility.”
Thanks to your support, the Foundation added new funds and endowed scholarships to support student success at SPSCC.
Campus Cares Supporters Double Down on Giving
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Employees gave one-time gifts or signed up to participate in the campus payroll deduction employee giving program. Development Director, Evan Skytte shared, “We are so inspired by all who gave to support our students this time around.”
In addition to reaching out to encourage staff and faculty to give support through financial contributions, the campaign strengthened bonds between campus partners by working with Dancing Goats Coffee Roasters to set the stage for friendly staff and faculty outdoor gatherings over a cup of coffee. A message board of hand-written notes of appreciation for students and fellow staff and faculty was set up nearby in the Building 22 lobby for staff to see and share.
During the last week of the campaign, the Campus Cares team partnered with Student Life to give contributors a chance to be involved in the Student Senate Toiletry drive for students in need. Partnerships like these encourage a culture of philanthropy among students and give staff and faculty a chance to directly support students who are inspired to make a difference on Thatcampus.spiritof generosity is reflected in the work staff and faculty do to support the college every day. We are grateful to SPSCC faculty, staff, and administrators who continue to give and make an impact in so many ways!
Campus Cares street team Foundation Staff Ann Rogers-Williams shares about Campus Cares
The 2021 employee giving campaign, called Campus Cares, was again made successful by the efforts of SPSCC faculty, staff, and Student Senate volunteers. Participation more than doubled thanks to a dedicated team of campus partners who found new ways to encourage SPSCC colleagues to get involved.
One of the ways we have been able to support this goal is through our partnership with the A. Barbara Clarkson Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Center (DEIC) and organizations like The Thurston Group of Washington State, co-founded by Barbara and Virgil Clarkson and The Learning Seed Foundation, co-founded by Merritt and Marsha Long. This support along with that of sponsors, such as TwinStar Credit Union, who are committed to championing equity and social justice in our community has made it possible for us to move forward with programs like IGNITE and the Black Scholars program.
The SPSCC Foundation is actively engaging community partners in this work to address racial justice and equity. If you are interested in giving to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives please visit spscc.edu/foundation/give-now or contact our office at 360-596-5430.
Community Centric Approaches to Equity at SPSCC
The Foundation team embraces this work in a variety of ways through its commitment to continue learning best practices for fostering community-centric fundraising. This includes working together with community partners towards the common goal of making education accessible and inclusive.
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Internal education is also an important part of the work of supporting social justice and the Foundation team has been actively involved in taking advantage of opportunities to participate in training and taskforce initiatives offered by the DEIC and our community partners. We also work with our campus and community partners to share related educational events such as the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. event, Artist and Lecture Series, and The Leonor R. Fuller Gallery exhibitions with the larger community.
The IGNITE program continues to be successful in helping students who are low-income, students of color, first-generation students, and students with disabilities complete their college program. The Black Scholars program continues to provide mentorship and support services tailored to Black and African American racial identities to foster a sense of belonging. Both programs have dramatically improved the first quarter of 2021 retention for program participants, and they are completing first-year college math courses with greater regularity than their peers. Ignite and Black Scholars students outpace their peers by 10 to 15 percent. Both programs are helping SPSCC close the equity gap and fuel better futures for students.
South Puget Sound Community College continues to grow as a learning community committed to supporting an inclusive campus environment where all students can thrive. By focusing on equity and inclusion efforts, the college supports its commitment to students and the diversity of identities and experiences reflected in the larger community.
What started as a casual conversation at the The Valley Athletic Club between The Learning Seed Foundation's Co-Founder Merritt Long and President Tim Stokes, set in motion a partnership between the Foundation and SPSCC, which has grown stronger over the years. Their initial conversation revealed a common commitment to education and helping underserved students and students of color overcome barriers to student success.
As Marsha Long commented, “We look at the whole person. They may not be at the 4.0 GPA level because they have other obligations that can be barriers to academic success, such as caring for a disabled sibling or parent.”
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Advice for Students
Both Merritt Long and his wife Foundation Co-Founder Marsha Long share the core value of supporting education. From personal experience through the foundation and their own academic and professional careers they have witnessed how successful students can inspire and advance a ripple effect of educational possibilities for their respective families, siblings, and neighbors. Marsha pointed out approximately 80% of the students they help are the first in their family to attend college. “These students become the multipliers and role models for their family members, and it is so gratifying for us to see the impact they have as they pay it forward in the community.”
The Longs also shared that these students genuinely want to improve their communities and help others. Students have gone on to enter fields in medical research, computer technology, communication, and the legal profession—finding substantial ways to give back and build a better future.
Walking the Talk of Inclusion
For 100% of the students served through their scholarship, economic need is a common thread (79% are people of color and 21% are Caucasian).
The Longs shared that as co-founders of The Learning Seed they not only believe that financial support as well as moral support for students is important. “It’s more than the money. It’s being able to encourage students to believe in themselves and succeed.”
When asked what advice they would give students today, both had encouraging and compatible advice to share. “Persistence and patience pay off. Keep grinding it out.” Merritt stated, and Marsha added, “Ask for help. You will be surprised at how many people want to help you succeed.” “Sometimes you have to get out of your office and pursue opportunities wherever you find them.”
Merritt and Marsha Long’s Learning Seed Partnership
– Merritt Long
– Merritt Long, Author, Co-Founder of The Learning Seed Foundation
The Longs have also partnered with SPSCC through their involvement with SPSCC’s Artist and Lecture Series since 2015. Recently, Merritt Long participated as the featured author interviewed by Former Governor Gary Locke in which he talked about his inspirational memoir My View from the Back of the Bus. ♦
“Going to college was the only path from my parents’ perspective. My dad used to say ‘use your head, not your back’, and upon completing high school, my mom studied for her Nursing license as if she were studying for grad school. She also had to study hard to take voter tests that were designed to keep people of color out of voting.”
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South Puget Sound Community College Foundation
Unfortunately, plans for “The Experience”, the Foundation’s largest fundraising gala event of the year, had to be canceled due to pandemic-related risks. In lieu of the traditional face-toface event, community partners and corporate organizations gave directly to provide unrestricted funds in support of Student Success.
Student-athletes volunteering at the Clipper Scramble Tournament.
Our Fall Phone-A-Thon was another first-time event. Students from the SPSCC Student Senate as well as scholarship recipients assisted Foundation staff with calls to donors including personal thank yous for their past support. This was a wonderful opportunity for donors to hear directly from students what their contributions have meant to their ongoing success.
The Foundation’s first in-person event of the year was the 25th annual Clipper Scramble Golf Tournament, which was joyfully held at the Olympia Golf and Country Club and attended by more than 140 supporters. SPSCC Foundation Development Director Evan Skytte shared, “After all the COVID-19 restrictions of 2020, it was so refreshing to see how excited our guests were to once again engage face-to-face.”
The year’s community celebrations ended with the 16th annual LGBTQ+ Party with a Purpose celebration hosted in the Minnaert Center by long-term college supporters David Marks and John Doan. Thanks to the support of the SPSCC community, this event raised money to help students thrive at SPSCC.
Community Engagement
Another tradition impacted by the cancellation was the Lifetime Circle awards ceremony, where donors who have given $25,000 or more over their lifetime of giving are recognized. However, an alternative personalized solution for honoring the 2020-2021 inductees was quickly devised and the Gratitude Tour was born.
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“I love that SPSCC is diverse and people-oriented to ensure their students have what they need along with the help they need.”
– Khalia Craig, Healthcare Pathway Student Athletic Director, Vernell Willingham, and Assistant Athletic Director, Darah Vining, pose with student-athletes at the Clipper Scramble.
One such legacy is that of Edith Arnold, an SPSCC nursing graduate and an inspiration to classmates, faculty, and family. After completing a successful career in social work, Edith decided to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse. When she passed away in 2004, her family decided to create an En dowed Scholarship in her memory.
Edith was, and continues to be, an inspiration to SPSCC students, our community, and her daughter, who also became a nurse..
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Impact of Planned Giving: How Former Student Paid It Forward
Today, the Edith Arnold Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Nursing continues to help students succeed. So far, 15 SPSCC students have benefited from the incredible generosity of family members, nursing faculty members, and her fellow classmates who sustain it through their contributions.
Nursing students work with life-sized anatomical human models called manikins. Edith Arnold
“I am so appreciative for the scholarship I received, because I was able to focus on becoming a good nurse without having to worry about debt. I only wish that Edith would have been able to live her dream, as I have, and as Edith helped me to do.”
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"Knowing that Edith cared so deeply about our chosen profession and that tragically she was unable to pursue her passion shortly after graduation, I gave pause to reflect on the knowledge that tomorrow isn’t promised, and that we need to make a difference, no matter how small, daily. I feel honored, and have an added sense of pride to know that I am a small part of Edith’s legacy. The scholarship so generously provided by her family made a difference in my journey. It put my passion within reach, and I have been blessed to practice nursing for over 8 years now!"
If you are interested in honoring the stories of someone in your life and want to help students in our community, an Endowed Scholarship may be the right choice for you. Leaving a planned gift can expand your legacy further than you imagined possible, and you can make it happen your own way. Gifts can include cash, bequests, trusts, stock, life insurance, annuities, property, and other types of contributions. Your investment in the future of SPSCC can help open paths for students who will become the nurses, paralegals, entrepreneurs, journeymen, educators, and leaders who serve and strengthen our communities. Are you ready to make a lasting impact? Please contact the SPSCC Foundation at foundation@spscc.edu to learn more about the power of planned giving.
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Whitney Vu
“I’m the oldest out of 5 kids, so money was always hard to come by. Receiving her scholarship was such a blessing! Edith’s scholarship has helped me serve my community and I hope other future nurses can go on to serve the community too.”
Jessica Martin
While studying at SPSCC Whitney Vu received the Edith Arnold Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Nursing. She went on to earn her Associate in Pre-Nursing degree with SPSCC in 2017 and, in 2020, graduated with her RN degree from Grays Harbor College. Whitney is currently working as a nurse at Fresenius Kidney Care.
Amber Neely
After graduating, Jessica went on to become a nurse inProvidence St. Peter Hospital's Oncology department where she has helped hundreds of oncology patients and their families in the same way the nurses from her childhood helped her. Jessica later went on to earn both her Bachelor's and Master's of Science in Nursing without going into debt.
Planned Giving: Build Your Own Legacy at SPSCC
CommunityOurSupporters In recognition of our financial and volunteer support, the SPSCC Foundation honors our community friends and partners. Leadership Circle Supporters who have made personally significant gifts during the previous calendar year are recognized here. Lifetime Circle Supporters who have cumulatively contributed $25,000+ throughout their lifetime. Legacy Circle Supporters who have listed the SPSCC Foundation as a benefactor in their estate plans. This is a new recognition, so please contact the Foundation if you would like to be added to this circle. With our deepest gratitude, thank you for your commitment to education. Full lists of recognition are available to view anytime online at: spscc.edu/foundation/supporters For questions on recognition or volunteer opportunities please call 360-596-5430. For the full listing of Lifetime Circle members visit spscc.edu/foundation/supporters Left to Right: Cindy Hough and Annie Iriye; Rose Bailey and Gary Altman - Lifetime Circle Honorees; SPSCC Craft Brewing & Distilling Program
Honoring
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Corporate Champions
To become a Corporate Champion, a business must sponsor any two SPSCC Foundation events and make a donation to Student Success of $1,000 or more. That’s it! Corporate Champions are then recognized online and our monthly newsletter for the full calendar year.
Education is a driver to community success. When students graduate from SPSCC, a pathway to a local career is started. As a way to support this community approach, we are encouraging our corporate partners to join us in this work.
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2011 Mottman Rd. SW Olympia, WA 98512-6292 spscc.edu/foundation OPR 9/22 nk 2,000 Scan QR code to visit website and stay connected. "Inclusive, good-quality education is a foundation for dynamic and equitable societies." - Desmond Tutu FOUNDATION
