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Four years ago at this time, I announced that Yavapai College Foundation (YCF) had set a goal to grow the YCF endowment to $16,000,000 by the year 2020. That would be an almost $10,000,000 increase over
10 years. I am very pleased to report that, since that announcement, we have made impressive progress. At the end of last fiscal year, the YCF endowment total was $10,021,611. At the current rate of growth, we will meet and possibly exceed our campaign goal before 2020. We won’t stop there, however. We will elevate the goal to $25,000,000 and then set out to achieve it.
Much of this growth is attributable to generous donors who chose to make a positive difference in the lives
of deserving YC students by making a gift to the YCF student scholarship endowment. Some chose to add to an existing scholarship fund, while others decided to establish a new endowed scholarship fund, named in honor of a loved one. Many donors prefer the second option because it provides a scholarship to one or more students each year in perpetuity. In all, YCF now has 113 named endowed scholarships. Last year alone, we raised $566,767 in scholarship gifts.
Together we raised $1,635,929 last year, bringing our 8-year total since FY07 up to a record $11,170,926. Most importantly, during that same period YCF transferred $7,431,147 to YC for capital construction projects, educational, cultural and social programs, and student scholarships.
Of equal or even greater importance, YCF has grown its Legacy League to 134 members (see page 14). Legacy League members are those special people who designate a gift to YC through their will or other type of planned gift. Although it is not cash in hand, it
will be a perpetual source of funding that will assure continuation and growth of educational programs and services not guaranteed by existing funding sources and provide affordable education for all Yavapai County residents.
It is definitely an exciting time to be a part of YCF. People with exceptional talents and financial capacity live in our community and are generously sharing their time and resources in support of YC programs. Philanthropy trends are shifting to “give locally,” and YCF can offer outstanding returns to donors, in terms of benefits and personal fulfillment. If you are not
yet involved with YCF, I invite you call me or stop by my office to discuss the many opportunities that are available to make a difference for your Yavapai College. Thanks you for your support!
Steven M. Walker Executive Director