After shattering their fundraising goals, The Evergreen State College and The Evergreen State College Foundation are celebrating the power of community giving with $62.5 million received through a successful campaign, “Forever Green.” And with that remarkable philanthropic achievement, the college and foundation are now in the “Gratitude Phase” to let alumni and supporters know the significant impacts of their gifts, grants and estate commitments.
Evergreen Vice President for Advancement and Foundation Executive Director Abby Kelso says “Forever Green” exceeded their wildest dreams. In addition to topping their ambitious fundraising goal of $55 million, they also outdid their target number for contributions when they received 15,835 separate donations. “We surpassed our goal of 4,000 donors,” she says. “That was really wonderful.”
The Evergreen State College ‘Forever Green’ Campaign Initiates Pathway to Giving and Connecting
The Evergreen State College opened as a liberal arts university in 1971. Many of its first graduates are now reaching the chapter of their lives when giving back financially is more feasible. “The opportunity presented by fundraising is relatively recent,” Kelso explains. “This is the first time we carved out a campus-wide campaign. It’s been a dream of the foundation.”
The university and The Evergreen State College Foundation initiated the “Forever Green” campaign in 2019, with a public launch in March 2023. The campaign opened an important pathway to support students at the higher education institution’s two campuses in Olympia and Tacoma. Donors gave in all amounts, from $5 to more than $1 million. Among the donors, 1,161 gave for the first time. “There was a lot of pride in seeing that number tick up,” says Kelso of tracking the campaign’s progress. “It’s an investment of community support.”
And “Forever Green” offered more to former students than a way to give back financially. The campaign also provided an opportunity for alumni to come together and foster a stronger Evergreen network through events like “Greener Meets.” Those gatherings convened alumni in Seattle, Olympia, Eastern Washington, and around the country.
‘Forever Green’ Contributions Recognize Students are the Center of The Evergreen State College
Kelso says the “Forever Green” fundraising placed its focus on supporting students and recognizing their diverse life experiences and needs. “We are welcoming them as they are and finding opportunities to support them in their next step,” she says. “We really care about the people in front of us, and that was reflected in the campaign.” The funds advance this student-centered mission in multiple ways. Here are just a few.
- $36.1 Million for Diverse, Next-Generation Leaders
Among other direct student assistance, the donations provide a 50% increase in scholarship funding and more than double the aid per student. The contributions will also provide for basic needs such as emergency funds, clothing, food, housing assistance and childcare so that students stay enrolled when they are dealing with an unexpected crisis. New awards, like the Returning Greeners Scholarship, are designed to bring back students who had to discontinue their education due to financial hardships.
- $18.4 Million for Learning for Collaborative, Complex Problem-Solving
Donations will be used to prepare students to solve problems in the economy, democracy, justice, climate and the environment and promote culture and the arts. Examples include funding for internships, undergraduate research, courses, and new certificate programs. Expanded advising will support first-generation, low-income and students with disabilities. The funds also will provide improved science, media and art facilities and equipment, and the launch of new centers of excellence in entrepreneurship and The Center for Climate Action and Sustainability.
- $7.9 million for Nurturing Native Arts and Cultures with s’g?i g?i ? altx?: House of Welcome
Donations will expand the college’s ability to support, affirm and empower Native arts and cultures in the Pacific Northwest and beyond with the leadership of s’g?i g?i ? altx?: House of Welcome.
- Support for Other Student Programs
The giving also expanded athletics to include men’s and women’s wrestling and cross-country programs. Additionally, an anonymous graduate’s pledge of $1 million established the Resilience Fund for student support initiatives. More details in the campaign’s media release.
Evergreen and Foundation Are Grateful to Donors Empowering Students’ Higher Education Journeys
Whether students are coming right out of high school or are enrolling in or returning to college later in life, Evergreen wants to support them as they use their life experiences to enrich their higher education journey. “We want them to bring that experience with them,” says Kelso. “It’s a participatory education.” With remarkable philanthropy through gifts received during the “Forever Green” campaign, Evergreen is empowered to help students achieve their goals. And that’s why the message from the college and foundation to the community’s donors is one of “gratitude.”
For more information on giving, contact The Evergreen State College or The Evergreen State College Foundation.
The Evergreen State College
The Evergreen State College Foundation
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