Kirtland Foundation Legacy Fund Receives $50,000 Donation to Expand Scholarships at Kirtland Community College
The Kirtland Foundation and the Kirtland Community College Board of Trustees proudly announce a donation of $50,000 to the Kirtland Legacy Fund. This endowment aims to provide a sustainable source of scholarship funding for current and future Kirtland students, reinforcing both boards’ dedication to supporting higher education and student success.
“The Kirtland Legacy Fund has allowed the Foundation to grow its endowments, providing more funding for scholarships. This allows us to impact more students on their educational journey and help them reach their goals,” said Heather Appold, Kirtland Foundation Director. “Since the Legacy fund started in 2022, 14 new endowments have been established. It’s exciting to see how many in our community have a passion for transforming the lives of Kirtland students through scholarship support.”
The Kirtland Legacy Fund, founded by the Kirtland Foundation, aligns with the foundation’s longstanding mission to ease the financial challenges of college education by offering scholarships to eligible students. The fund bolsters the foundation’s efforts by offering matching donations for new endowed scholarships, a strategic initiative designed to increase scholarship availability and attract additional donor support.
Funds donated by the Kirtland Community College Board of Trustees comes from proceeds received from the sale of Kirtland’s Roscommon campus. Acknowledging the impact that financial support has on students’ ability to pursue higher education, the Board designated $50,000 of these proceeds to enhance the Kirtland Legacy Fund’s endowment, with a long-term vision to aid students for generations to come.
MaryAnn Ferrigan, Chair of the Kirtland Community College Board of Trustees, shared her enthusiasm for the fund’s impact by recognizing the funds proven record of being a ‘successful tool in recruiting new endowments.’
“Speaking on behalf of the Kirtland Board of Trustees, The Board of Trustees recognizes the importance of supporting students through their higher education journey,” said Ferrigan. “Since 2022 the legacy fund has proven to be a successful tool in recruiting new endowed scholarships that will aid in support for our students for years to come. We are very proud of the good work our foundation is doing.”
The Kirtland Legacy Fund, founded in 2022, is structured to provide a matching contribution of $5,000 for every $10,000 donated by new or existing endowed scholarships. This matching structure encourages contributions from a broader range of donors, empowering them to create lasting legacies through named scholarships. Donors have the option to designate specific criteria for the scholarships they establish, whether by program area, geographic location, or other customized criteria that honor their values and commitment to higher education.
“The Kirtland Legacy Fund is a testament that the Board of Trustees believes in the Foundation and the work we do to support our students. Having these funds allows us to share with donors that we are grateful for the money they are trusting us to invest and we provide a match to make their investment go even further. The Kirtland Foundation is excited for the potential to speak with others in our communities who have a passion for helping students in higher education and want to provide an investment in their futures,” said Appold.
The Kirtland Foundation invites further contributions from community members, alumni, and other supporters who wish to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Kirtland students. These donations, matched through the Legacy Fund, offer the opportunity to create named scholarships and establish a legacy of educational support in the Northern Michigan community.
To learn more about the Kirtland Foundation, visit https://www.kirtland.edu/foundation/
About Kirtland Community College
Kirtland Community College has been inspiring excellence for over 50 years and offers courses in Grayling, Gaylord, and online. Our mission at Kirtland is to provide innovative educational opportunities to enhance student lives and build stronger communities. Through our offered educational programs, we believe Kirtland will be the first choice for learner-centered education guiding students and communities toward success. For more information about Kirtland Community College, visit Kirtland.edu, or call (989) 275-5000.
About the Kirtland Foundation
As an independent 501(c)(3) organization, the Kirtland Foundation raises money from private donors, local businesses, alumni and more, then allocates funds in the form of scholarships and grants to Kirtland Community College students and faculty and staff. https://www.kirtland.edu/foundation/
