S O U T H P U G E T S O U N D C O M M U N I T Y C O L L E G E F O U N DAT I O N
2020
ANNUAL REPORT
FOUNDATION
Contents 2021 Foundation Board Letter from the Board President and the Executive Director Our Mission .................................................................................................1 2020 Highlights.........................................................................................2 Remembering Chris Richardson.............................................................3 Student Success .......................................................................................4 Scholarships...............................................................................................5 Community Bridge.....................................................................................6 Community Engagement.........................................................................7 A Historic Gift: Bruno and Evelyne Betti...............................................8 Community Response to COVID-19 and Health Education ............ 10 Advancing Equity at SPSCC.................................................................. 12 Investing in Community: Dr. Albert Goerig ........................................ 14 Planting the Seed: The Minnaert Legacy............................................ 16 Honoring Our Closest Supporters ....................................................... 18 Looking Ahead......................................................................................... 19
2021 Foundation Board Mark Beardemphl
Ray LaForge
Linda Villegas Bremer
Phyllis Mandel
Frederick Marland Chancellor
Lynnette McCarty
Brent Dille
Susan Meenk
Valerie Fluetsch
Daniel C. O’Neill
Daryl Fourtner
Jason Robertson
Charlie Frank
Becci Ryder
Dana Garson
Ted Schultz
Marcus Glasper
Ben Shah, Board President
Amy Head
Carrie Whisler
Thomas Henderson
Judy Hartmann, Trustee Liaison
Cindy Hough
Dr. Timothy Stokes, SPSCC President
Annie Iriye
Foundation Staff Tanya Mote, Executive Director Evan Skytte, Director of Development Beth Schluter, Director of Finance and Scholarships Mike Christensen, Campaign and Major Gift Officer Julie Floyd, Executive Assistant LeeAnn Thompson, Development Specialist - Database Manager Ann Rogers-Williams, Development Specialist Vy Tran, Office Assistant
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Dear Generous Partners, In 2020, our community experienced unprecedented adversity through COVID-19, as well as the rising call for racial justice led by the Black Lives Matter movement. When challenges arise, the community turns to SPSCC for support. From displaced workers seeking retraining to community members joining equity conversations led by the college’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Center, it is clear that the college brings tremendous value to the community. The SPSCC Foundation is proud to support the college, and we continue to believe education should be accessible to everyone. It is our mission to ensure resources are available to all students attending SPSCC and support not just access, but retention and completion. With the outbreak of COVID-19, we have seen a large increase in student requests for support. Requests for basic needs of rent assistance and groceries grew as well as requests for home internet access, laptops, and vital tools necessary to learn in a virtual setting. As we focused on these immediate needs, we also increased support for historically underrepresented students, first generation students, or students just above the median-income level who still could not afford tuition. The Foundation expanded scholarship awards, emergency grant support, and support of college programs, such as the new Black Scholars program and growing IGNITE program. In fact, we awarded the most direct student aid in our 38-year history. In the year ahead, we are looking at ways of sustaining growth while meeting the evergrowing needs of students still living and learning in a transformed landscape. The Foundation has created a Student Success Fund to be more flexible with emergent needs of students and the community. No one saw the pandemic coming, but the Student Success Fund will help us reflexively meet whatever new challenges arise in the future, and we need your help. SPSCC will remain a pillar in our community by making education equitable and attainable. To make this possible, continued funding for basic needs and social parity is essential. Your support ensures students stay in school until completion of their certificate or degree so their futures as nurses, architects, business owners, and neighbors continue to power the Thurston County region and beyond. Thank you for your continued commitment as we work to empower students.
Ben Shah SPSCC Foundation Board President
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Tanya Mote SPSCC Foundation Executive Director
South Puget Sound Community College Foundation
Our Mission The mission of the SPSCC Foundation is to engage community and build resources to support success for all students.
Foundation Board President Ben Shah and Foundation Executive Director Tanya Mote.
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2020 Highlights Every year, we strive to ensure students have the resources they need to start building their futures. With the help of our community, the Foundation has been able to address new challenges and meet students’ needs in the following ways:
Awarded a record number of over 1,215 scholarships and emergency grants to students with the greatest need (see page 5). Secured the largest financial gift to Student Success in the history of the college (see page 8). Added new college programs to support bridging and belonging (see page 12). Transformed events, programs, and staff to virtual environments.
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2015
2016
2017
2018
$9,873,587
$7,371,370
2014
$7,879,981
$7,243,439
2013
$8,597,295
$7,224,054
2012
$7,039,059
2011
$6,351,764
$5,658,232
SPSCC Foundation Total Assets Over 10 Years
$13,956,569
2019
2020
South Puget Sound Community College Foundation
Remembering Chris Richardson On February 24, 2021, board member and friend Chris Richardson passed away. Chris joined the SPSCC Foundation board in 2018 and was very actively engaged in the mission of providing support to all students. He recently worked to set up a memorial scholarship for his late wife, Denise Best. In establishing the scholarship, Chris wrote of his late wife Denise:
“Denise Best was an elementary school teacher who believed that the social and economic disadvantages of her students was not an obstacle to education. She taught immigrant children in New York Public Schools and Native American children in Washington State with passion and zeal.” Chris himself was a lifelong learner who believed in the power of education. As an enrolled Chehalis Tribal member, Chris worked for 20 years in various management roles in Tribal enterprise government, most recently as the Managing Director at Chehalis Tribal Enterprises. At age 57 he returned to school, earning a Master of Business Administration degree from Washington State University. He inspired the minds and touched the hearts of all who interacted with him. Through conversations with his family, the SPSCC Foundation will be memorializing his name in the scholarship he established. The Denise Best and Chris Richardson Memorial Scholarship will now provide access to education and carry a piece of Chris and Denise’s shared legacy.
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Student Success Requests for emergency funds from students tripled in 2020. During the first few months of the Stay Home, Stay Healthy order, student requests for laptops, home internet, computer cameras, and headphones – all the tools necessary to learn from home – increased. The Student Success Fund allows direct student support in real time. This fund has the freedom to provide emergency grants to students needing housing, provide groceries to the SPSCC Food Pantry, provide tuition awards to students in the Black Scholars program, and much more. Priorities shifted throughout the year, and the SPSCC Foundation realized a new flexible fund was needed to be more responsive to new challenges. The SPSCC Foundation will be working with its board of directors to strategically target the areas of students’ greatest need. This work will help spur systemic changes in our community as we look to address closing the equity gap, where Black, Indigenous, and people of color are not thriving at the same rate as their white peers, and ensuring access to basic human needs, such as housing, food, and toiletries, are always being met. To support emerging needs with a donation to the Student Success Fund, go online at spscc.edu/foundation/give-now.
59% Pre-college tuition & testing fees 15% Tuition 6% Books 5% Rent & Housing 5% Professional Certification Fees 5% Tools & Supplies 3% Power, Utilities, Medical & Child Care 1% Car Repair & Transportation 1% Basic Needs, Food
STUDENT GRANTS
7%
6%
Faculty & Staff Training
Programs
12%
Special Events
28%
16%
Student Grants
REVENUE*
Scholarships & Grants
16% 53% In-Kind
College Programs Support
AREAS OF SUPPORT
62%
Student Scholarships
*Does not include investment activity
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South Puget Sound Community College Foundation
Scholarships SPSCC Foundation scholarships make tuition affordable and college accessible for students. Thanks to individual community leaders, the Foundation was able to establish nine new scholarships in 2020 to add to our 293 annual and endowed scholarship funds. This will aid programs like Medical Assisting and support for undocumented students.
“I am a single mom of 7 children and am returning to college after 17 years. Thank you so much for the scholarship! The program I am in has been extraordinarily rewarding for me and I am so excited to continue my studies.”
– Jennifer Palavos –
Student Success Advantage Scholarship Recipient
“There aren’t as many opportunities for scholarships for those out of High School 10+ years, thank you so much for giving a chance for those who weren’t blessed with knowing what we wanted to do for the rest of our lives at 18. I appreciate what you’ve given and I will put it to great use.”
– Brandon Soares –
John and Sally Warjone Family Endowed Scholarship in the Arts Recipient “I am a student athlete coming from Hawaii with plans to transfer to a university after two years so I really appreciate the support behind the scholarship. This way, I am able to put most of my focus on school and my goals instead of worrying too much on what I need to pay. I am so grateful!”
– Jazlyn Quenga –
“The Experience” Scholarship Recipient Contact us to start a scholarship: foundation@spscc.edu
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Community Bridge The Foundation believes in setting students up for success early. Each year, the college and the SPSCC Foundation award Community Bridge tuition grants. This program is in partnership with local youth centered nonprofits, such as Together!, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County, and Community Youth Services, to award SPSCC education grants to a young person in their organization. Education grants signify community support of education and create a path to college for outstanding youth who are engaged in local nonprofits. In 2021, the Foundation intends to expand this partnership to more students involved with local nonprofits. To learn more about the Community Bridge program, please contact foundation@spscc.edu.
Scholarship Recipients Austin Russell, Amariana Parks, Faith Doctor, and Sarah Rathbun participated in the 2020 Community Bridge program.
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South Puget Sound Community College Foundation
Community Engagement In response to some of the logistical challenges of the pandemic, the Foundation had to transition The Experience to a completely virtual event platform. Through the generous support of our donors, we met our goal to provide scholarships for tuition costs, emergency grants to help with rent and utility bills, and SPSCC Food Pantry boxes to address food insecurity. Thank you to The Experience co-chairs Lynnette McCarty and Carrie Whisler.
Lynette McCarty and Carrie Whisler filming their video for The Experience 2020.
In addition, the LGBTQ+ Party with a Purpose was virtually hosted by two friends of the Foundation, David Marks and John Doan, and raised $15,000 for the South Puget Sound Community College Emergency Fund for LQBTQ+ students. This was nearly double our 2018 results. We cannot thank our supporters enough!
Clipper Athletics volunteers celebrate with Dr. Tim Stokes outside of The Experience 2019.
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A Historic Gift: Bruno and Evelyne Betti Twenty years ago, Evelyne Betti walked into the SPSCC Automotive Building and had a conversation with students which transformed the SPSCC automotive program. Since that day, hundreds of SPSCC automotive students have benefited through the Betti Tool Day from the generosity and kindness of Evelyne and the foundation she created. On this day, students arrive to class and can shop for automotive tools from vendors with costs covered by the Betti Tool Fund. Evelyne passed away but her legacy continued through the fund and, ultimately, the students. On December 9, 2020, the SPSCC Foundation received its largest gift in history, a $2.5 million gift from the Bruno and Evelyne Betti Foundation. The gift will impact the college’s Professional Technical degree programs, as well as Healthcare programs
in the Dr. Angela Bowen Center for Health Education. The Betti gift directs $1.5 million as an endowed scholarship supporting professional technical students at SPSCC. The gift also directs $1 million toward developing a new nursing simulation space in the Dr. Angela Bowen Center for Health Education. To honor these gifts, SPSCC will name Building 16 The Bruno & Evelyne Betti Automotive & Welding Center and the second floor of the Angela Bowen Center The Bruno & Evelyne Betti Healthcare Simulation Lab. A representative from the Bruno and Evelyne Betti Foundation shared that the gift is about a lifelong program of “Giving A Leg Up” to support others, which was at the heart of the Betti’s philanthropic work.
Evelyne Betti visits the SPSCC Automotive Technology program circa 2000.
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South Puget Sound Community College Foundation
Evelyne Hill Betti and Bruno Dante Betti were early pioneers in the Hawks Prairie area of Lacey. They bought a Christmas tree farm there in 1948, followed by developing a hog farm, and rental homes. Warehouses were eventually built and they were able to rent warehouse space to up-and-coming businesses and entrepreneurs in the area. Always thankful to those who’d helped them, they enjoyed finding opportunities to help others. The Betti’s philanthropic interests were many and varied. Their generosity extended to students of the vocational and technical trades as well as supporting practical degrees in business, education, engineering, medicine, nursing, and other sciences. Bruno passed away in 1998 and Evelyne continued their work until her passing in 2007. Today, the Bruno and Evelyne Betti Foundation continue their philanthropic mission. ♦ Bruno and Evelyne Betti SPSCC will rename Building 16 the Bruno & Evelyne Betti Automotive & Welding Center.
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Community Response to COVID-19 and Health Education Every year, nursing students preparing to graduate from SPSCC take the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) to earn their nursing license. These graduating nurses join the frontlines at local hospitals and deserve recognition for their courageous career path. The NCLEX costs roughly $200 per student but graduating nursing students did not have to worry about the price in 2020. To honor nurses in the time of COVID-19, local allied health organizations made donations to the SPSCC Foundation to cover the cost of all NCLEX testing fees for the entire graduating class of SPSCC’s 37 nursing students. Providence St. Peter Foundation, Olympia Orthopaedic Associates, Panorama, and Capital Medical Center have all made donations to help cover the over $10,000 cost for these tests to support future nurses in this time of unprecedented need. Providence St. Peter Foundation also made a commitment to fund 30 allied health scholarships in the 2020-21 school year as well as provide extra support to the Student Success Fund, which offers year-round assistance for students in financial need. “Seeing these agencies step up to give back while we’re working so hard is encouraging,” said Patrick Santos, a first-year nursing student. “I saw a lot of my classmates struggle this year and Caption this was a reminder of the goodness in our community.” SPSCC students in the allied health field are encouraged to apply for these scholarships and grant funds via the SPSCC Foundation website. Please visit spscc.edu/foundation/scholarships to learn more. ♦
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South Puget Sound Community College Foundation
Graduating nurse Rene Tumaneng drives through the socially distanced nurse pinning ceremony.
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Advancing Equity at SPSCC South Puget Sound Community College is a learning community which embodies social justice, equity, and inclusion. The college continues to have a commitment to diversity by empowering students, faculty, and staff to fully participate in a society of increasingly diverse identities and experiences. The SPSCC Foundation continues this work by reflecting the communities we serve and prioritizing equity work. In 2020, the Foundation formed an Equity Action Team (EAT) to promote new ideas and more proactively integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion principles and practices into Local high school students at the 2020 Fire Summit. all the Foundation’s work. The team consists of board member, staff, and student voices. Anna Sutherland, Student Senator of Diversity & Equity Affairs (featured on the cover), joined EAT to be a voice for students across campus and to participate in not just the decisions which are made but how they are made. EAT will be running an equity audit on the Foundation’s internal practices and looking to provide targeted funding to students to ensure access, retention, and completion is fair and just. While the Foundation continues to look inward in its practices, further partnerships across the campus and community have been formed. Several programs for student support have been established to foster inclusiveness at our campuses, honor diversity, and encourage compassion for individual expression. The Foundation has worked with the A. Barbara Clarkson Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Center (DEIC) to support its two newest programs. IGNITE, launched in 2018, helps students who are low income, students of color, students with disabilities and first-generation students complete their college program. Following IGNITE’s success, the Black Scholars program was launched in 2020 to help Black and African American students successfully meet college graduation
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South Puget Sound Community College Foundation
by offering mentorship, community, and support services tailored to unique needs around racial identity. Community partner TwinStar Credit Union, has stepped up to support SPSCC students with funds and mentors as they work to achieve their educational goals in each of these programs. Additionally, TwinStar staff members have provided professional mentorship to students in the DEIC’s Black Scholars and IGNITE programs by helping them with resume building and interviewing skills. “We’re grateful for the TwinStar staff’s willingness and readiness to engage with the 32 students enrolled in these programs in order to make a difference,” said Parfait Bassalé, SPSCC’s Executive Diversity Officer. ♦ 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.
Board members, staff, and students join the Equity Action Team (EAT) to support student voices.
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Investing in Community Health: Dr. Albert (Ace) Goerig, DDS, MSM As anyone who has experienced a dental emergency can tell you, the ever-present pain that disrupts your sleep, work, and daily activities can be overwhelming. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Oral disease can cause pain and infections that may lead to problems with eating, speaking, and learning.” Fortunately, Dr. Albert Goerig and the entire Northwest Endodontics staff are committed to helping people and ensuring that students are well-equipped to help protect the health of the community. For over 15 years, Dr. Goerig has invested in the SPSCC Dental Assisting program as a donor, an advisory committee member, and a mentor providing numerous internship opportunities for SPSCC dental assistants. Nearly 80% of Northwest Endodontics dental assistants are SPSCC alumni. SPSCC dental assistants can expect to be hired quickly, receive great compensation, and be effective in the field of dentistry when they graduate from the program. Thanks to this partnership SPSCC students are helping communities thrive.
“I have lectured and coached dentists across the United States and I can say that the training SPSCC students receive is the best in the country. Students that graduate from the SPSCC Dental Assisting program are exceptionally prepared to work in the dental field.” – Dr. Albert Goerig, Northwest Endodontics
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South Puget Sound Community College Foundation
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Planting The Seed: The Minnaert Legacy Minnaert believed the college had a responsibility of responding to the overall community need. Higher education was changing and Minnaert did what he does best: Former SPSCC president Dr. Kenneth Minnaert listen to the community and take action. In 1982, Olympia Technical Community College recognized a need to provide resources to students beyond academic support. His vision became South Puget Sound Community is what brought the SPSCC Foundation to life. College – a comprehensive institution focusing on both academic programs and In the late 1960’s, Minnaert had completed professional trades. his master’s degree in Vocational-Technical Education Administration from Colorado State Minnaert had answered one call for the need of academics, but quickly recognized new University (CSU) and was working for the challenges: how were students going to pay Superintendent of Public Instruction in Montana. He had always desired a career that to attend SPSCC? And furthermore, how could would better a community, not just individuals, the college ensure it had enough financial resources to provide its high level of and he knew he was ready to do more. programs and services? Minnaert returned to CSU for a PhD in Vocational-Technical Education Administration. In 1982, he started the South Puget Sound As he finished at the university, Minnaert came Community College Foundation, with the mission to get students the resources they across one position which stood out: Dean need to complete their education. Minnaert of Instruction at Olympia Vocational and Technical Institute (OVTI). Trades were starting began making personal paycheck deductions to establish a scholarship and immediately to become popular and more students were enrolling. Minnaert took a chance and flew out got to work advocating for student need. He to the Pacific Northwest for his very first time – knew the return on investment would take a trip that placed him on the path to becoming some time to develop. Minnaert had one line he always stuck by: “investing in SPSCC is like a future president of SPSCC. planting seeds. You have to watch it grow and In early 1980, after more than five years as feed it, then it flourishes naturally.” Soon, the Dean of Instruction, Minnaert accepted the gifts started coming in. But something surinterim President role where he would prised Minnaert’s team; the value of the gifts oversee all aspects of the college. He was impressive, but what truly surprised them describes this short time as interim president was the number of gifts and support they as, “very challenging but very effective.” One were receiving from the community. of the most influential parts of that year was After over 30 years at SPSCC, Dr. Kenneth when Minnaert and his team officially had Minnaert and his wife Elaine moved to Palm OVTI renamed to Olympia Technical Desert, California to enjoy their much Community College. deserved retirement. Since 1982, the SPSCC Foundation has been working hard to engage community and build resources to support success for all students. But how did this vision begin?
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South Puget Sound Community College Foundation
The influence of Dr. Minnaert is embedded throughout SPSCC today. If there is one thing we’ve learned from his story, it’s that as a community we must recognize the importance of local involvement and influences. Only together can we plant, grow, and blossom. ♦
“Investing in SPSCC is like planting seeds. You have to watch it grow and feed it, then it flourishes naturally.” –Dr. Kenneth Minnaert Dr. Kenneth and Elaine Minnaert
Planned Giving: Build Your Own Legacy at SPSCC The legacy contributions of Dr. Kenneth and Elaine Minnaert and the Bruno and Evelyne Betti family illustrate the tremendous promise that planned giving can offer to generations of SPSCC students. We honor all of our Legacy Circle members whose generosity continues to pave the way to future opportunities for our students. 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.
Annual Annual Report Report || 2020 2020
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Honoring Our Closest Supporters In recognition of financial and volunteer support, the SPSCC Foundation honors our closest 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. The 2020 inductees in the Lifetime Circle are: Jerald R. Anderson Jack S. Armstrong Steve Boone Virgil S. Clarkson Alberta B. Clarkson Wilton E. Funk Eva C. Gordon Diana M. Hanson Kevin M. Haughton Thomas R. Henderson Matthew Ice Christopher James Lynnette McCarty
Andrew Phillips Chris Reykdal Jason P. Robertson Richard Tonelli Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, LLC ICC Northwest, Inc. Biella Foundation Panorama Vietnamese Community of Thurston County Rotary Club of South Puget Sound The Haughton Family Charitable Fund Serendipity Children’s Center, Inc.
For the full listing of Lifetime Circle members visit spscc.edu/foundation/supporters.
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.
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South Puget Sound Community College Foundation
Looking Ahead In 2021 and beyond, the college will be expanding its Allied Health Program to provide more nurses and medical staffing to local hospitals. The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Center will continue leading community conversations on racial justice, and college faculty will continue to deliver high quality education to prepare students for careers. As COVID-19 continues to impact our community, the SPSCC Foundation will be working to increase Student Success – access, retention, and completion – and we will also be working to strategically solve systemic issues like generational poverty and racial discrimination. With our partners and supporters, we are making education the pathway to careers for students and a pathway to a stronger future for our community. Together, we are Making the Sound.
Annual Report | 2020
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2011 Mottman Rd. SW Olympia, WA 98512-6292
Thank you for sounding off in support of students and for staying committed to Making the Sound everything it can and should be.
spscc.edu/foundation
OPR 9/21 nk 1,000
