The Ivy Tech Foundation has ranked as the top fundraiser among community college systems nationwide, according to a survey conducted by the Council for Aid to Education.
At $16.4 million, the amount raised by Ivy Tech exceeds the second place community college fundraiser by 43 percent, according to the 2017 Voluntary Support for Education (VSE) survey. This is the ninth consecutive year that Ivy Tech has taken the number one spot on the list. Approximately 90 percent of the funds raised are used for scholarships, instructional equipment and technology, and educational programs, meaning that millions of dollars are invested each year to directly enhance student success.
“Our donors are so generous that we lead the country as the number one community college foundation,” said John M. Murphy, Ivy Tech Foundation president. “At the same time, we know there is still more we need to do for our students, and we will not stop our important work of engaging donors to give through the Foundation to remove the barriers preventing our students from reaching their educational goals.”
Ivy Tech Kokomo student Kayla Foor is on track to graduate this December with a degree in business administration and a certificate in human resources. Thanks to the generosity of donors during her time at Ivy Tech, she took advantage of scholarships to help her achieve her academic goals. She struggled her first semester after being out of school for five years. When she buckled down, she was able to earn straight A’s and make the Dean’s List. This summer she is interning as a human resources clerk at City Hall in Kokomo. Upon graduation, she plans to transfer to IU Kokomo to earn her bachelor’s degree in business administration.
“I am working towards my educational goals entirely on my own and Ivy Tech was not only affordable but also the best fit for me and how I learn,” said Foor. “Without scholarships and support from generous donors, I would not be able to make my dreams a reality and further my education as an adult student.”
According to VSE, giving to colleges increased by 6.3 percent in 2017. Colleges and universities raised $43.6 billion in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017. This is the highest fundraising total recorded in the survey’s 60-year history.
“Through its dedication to Indiana, its workforce, and its students, Ivy Tech is making a positive impact in the communities it serves statewide,” said Terry Anker, Ivy Tech Foundation Board of Directors chairman. “Ivy Tech has many supporters who believe in the mission of the College, and we will work to continue to grow that number in the years to come.”
The Voluntary Support for Education survey is the authoritative national source of information on private giving to higher education and private K-12 schools.
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College serves communities across Indiana, providing world-class education and driving economic transformation. It is the state’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering high-value degree programs and training that are aligned with the needs of its communities, along with courses and programs that transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.