Endowments Are Forever

If you wish to make a gift to CGCC that will last forever, consider making a gift to the CGCC Foundation general endowment fund or creating your own endowment.

Endowments for Scholarships

The CGCC Foundation awards more than $200,000 annually in scholarships to local students. CGCC Foundation’s endowment serves to support the area of greatest need, such as student scholarships. The Foundation awards scholarships based on financial need and the promise a student shows in their school work, career-to-date, home, and community commitments. Financial need is broadly defined as lacking sufficient resources to cover the costs of pursuing higher education. And a student’s promise is evaluated based on how they have navigated complicated life circumstances; accomplishments made in school, work, and community; and demonstrated commitment to their career and educational goals.

Columbia Gorge Community College continues to be the best start for many first-time college students. Lower cost tuition combined with top-quality instruction makes CGCC the region’s premier place to begin or continue a college career.

Many students are working one or more jobs while balancing family, community, volunteer, and personal commitments while attending CGCC. Scholarships make an incredible difference in students’ ability to complete their courses and advance their careers, or transfer to a four-year college or university. When you help start a student on the road to success, you are making an important investment in our community’s future.

Gifts invested into the Foundation’s general endowment fund make an impact now and in the future, ensuring longevity of donor intent. Since an endowment’s principal is never spent, the funds create financial stability, allowing CGCC to be less dependent on external sources of revenue that may be more variable depending on economic and other conditions. The endowment fund’s interest is used for the area of greatest need at the college, including scholarships, college programs, capital construction and Foundation operations.

If you are considering an endowment contribution, please contact Sue Davis, CGCC Foundation Executive Director via phone or email.