KirtLEND Club Establishes Endowment with Kirtland Foundation
The KirtLEND Club, formerly the Kirtland Ms. Club, has reached its $10,000 endowment goal a year under the established November 2017 deadline. The KirtLEND Club has been in existence since 1974 when a group of Kirtland employees recognized that students may need additional assistance in order to continue their education. The club is able to provide emergency loans to students to meet their immediate needs through membership dues, fundraising efforts, and additional donations.
In 2008, the club was able to obtain tax-exempt status by affiliating itself with the Kirtland Foundation, and in 2016, re-branded itself in order to both encourage membership growth outside of the tradition female volunteer model, and also to better represent the mission of the club. Students in Jane Lange’s marketing class at Kirtland were challenged with creating a new name and updated mission for the club, and the name KirtLEND Club was chosen. In addition to providing emergency loans to students, the club has provided enrichment grants to faculty, scholarships for students, and educational opportunities for its members.
KCCF Director, Jennifer Page, stated “We are thrilled to see this endowment come to fruition. The KirtLEND Club has a long history at KCC and has established itself as a go-to source for students on this campus who are in need of assistance that the college itself may not be able to offer. The individuals who are involved with this club, many since its formation, are committed to keeping our students in school and working toward stability and continued success.”
Those interested in learning more about the KirtLEND club are encouraged to call JoAnn Gave, at (989) 275-5000 Ext. 289.
The Kirtland Community College Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to support Ki