POWELL, WYOMING – Northwest College Foundation posted record numbers in its fourth annual Giving Day campaign, a 24-hour blitz running from noon on March 21 through noon on March 22. With an emphasis on the new Student Center currently under construction, along with 17 academic and program projects across campus, a total of $175,735 was raised from 378 donors. That topped last year’s Giving Day total by nearly $38,000.
This year’s donations included more than $120,000 earmarked for the Student Center, with more than $12,000 donated by Northwest College employees through a new initiative. Donors were also given the opportunity to “Leave Your Mark” and have their names permanently displayed on the study room walls of the building. Overall, 75 percent of Giving Day participants designated funds to be used for the new Student Center.
Along with specific academic needs and scholarships, funds were also raised for student service areas and other programs such as Trapper Athletics, Forensics, TRiO, and Intercultural Programs.
Bonus gifts were unlocked for every 50 donors and several individuals contributed matching and challenge gifts. Among them were the children of John and Josephine DeWitt. The DeWitt Family gave $25,000 as a matching gift toward the Student Center in honor of their late father, John, who was employed at Northwest College from 1967 until 1999.
Others who provided matching gifts or served as challenge sponsors included Lisa and Tom Watson, Clay and Lynne Cummins, Charlotte Patrick, Dr. Tom and Rita Anderson, Dave Bonner, Dee Havig, Carolyn Danko, Andy Quanbeck, Tom Singer, Kara Beech, Dave Erickson, Dr. James and Stefanie Bell, Engineering Associates, and the Northwest College Foundation Board.
Giving Day was a collaborative effort between the NWC Foundation & Alumni and many academic and program areas across the entire campus. Together, they raised awareness about the event and departmental projects.
Alumni and friends were engaged through printed mail pieces, social media posts, emails, the Giving Day website, and a special video. Throughout the entire 24-hour Giving Day timeframe, and even after the event, gifts continued to steadily come in through the website. Final campaign updates can be found at nwcollegefoundation.org/givingday.