Dear friends of the Foundation,
Welcome to our 2024 Annual Report—a celebration of how, together, we’re Sounding Off for student success. With your support we awarded 830 scholarships, extended critical emergency assistance, and bolstered college programs, faculty, and staff—ensuring every SPSCC student has the opportunity to thrive.
We also celebrated some milestones this year: in June we hosted a record-breaking Clipper Scramble golf tournament at Tumwater Valley Golf Club, home course to our Clipper Golf teams. We also welcomed three dynamic new Foundation Board members: Jeana Callicoat, Paul Orth, and Sean Padget. Additionally, for the second consecutive time, SPSCC was named a Top 10 Finalist for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, a distinction that celebrates the collective excellence of our entire college community, including supporters like you who make it all possible.
As we look ahead, we are excited to share our ambitious new Strategic Plan built around empowering students, championing equitable outcomes, and setting a bold vision for world-class fundraising and community engagement. These three guiding pillars underscore our commitment to breaking down barriers and addressing unmet needs, ensuring that our efforts continue to make a lasting impact on our students and community. Within these pages, you’ll find inspiring anecdotes, data, and insights into our ongoing efforts.
Together, we are Making the Sound—echoing a commitment to student success and community progress. Thank you for playing a vital role in our journey. We look forward to building on this momentum with you in the coming year.
With gratitude,
Kelly Green Vice President for Advancement
Marcus Glasper SPSCC Foundation Board President
Mission
The SPSCC Foundation engages the community and builds resources to support success for all students.
Vision
Through world class fundraising and community engagement, every student receives a high-quality, inclusive education.
2024-2029 Strategic Plan Goals
GOAL 1
100% of all unmet student financial needs are identified and equitably met.
GOAL 2
Everyone in the community is knowledgeable about, engaged with, and advocates for the college and the foundation.
GOAL 3
Emerging student and college needs are met through world-class fundraising.
The Power of Your Generosity: Your dollars at work
$1,772,000+
raised in 2024 with your support, helping SPSCC students succeed.
2024 FUNDING PURPOSES
40% Student Success (unrestricted)
13% Events
10% Endowed Scholarships
10% Grant Request
9% Program Specific Solicitation
8% Bequest
7% Annual Scholarship Renewal
3% Campus Giving Campaign
2024 DONOR SNAPSHOT
58% Individuals
20% Staff/Faculty (current and former)
9% Corporations
5% Organizations
4% Board/Trustees (current and former)
2% Government
2% Foundations
>1% Estate/Trust
1/3 of scholarships and over 57% of grants were funded by unrestricted Student Success dollars, allowing us to close gaps as needed and provide critical support where students need it most.
Disclaimer: all financial data is pending audit report.
Empowering Potential: The Impact of Scholarship Support
$968,251
raised, funding 830 scholarships to empower students in achieving their educational goals.
“The scholarship you’ve generously provided not only supports my pursuit of higher education but represents a beacon of hope for countless families I aim to assist in the future. Your investment isn’t just in my education but in the transformative impact I aspire to have on families navigating our modern societal landscape. With four daughters watching my journey, this scholarship not only eases my financial burden but serves as a tangible symbol of hard work, resilience, and the belief that dedication can indeed reshape one’s destiny.”
Giovanna S., Social Services & Education Student
Removing Barriers: Grant Funds Keep Students on Track
$298,078 funded 884 grants awarded to help students with tools, tuition, supplies, and emergency expenses—providing support that helps ease challenges that might otherwise keep them out of the classroom.
“I’m studying to become a paralegal, and my son and I are facing homelessness. I plan to use this support to buy school supplies, a new pair of glasses to help me see and read, and hopefully some clean clothes.”
Anonymous Emergency Grant Recipient
Beyond the Classroom: Programs that Make a Difference
$244,470
raised to support academic and student-led programs like the Food Pantry, Clipper Athletics, and the Art Gallery.
“The SPSCC Food Pantry has really helped me feel confident about attending class without worrying about food or hygiene. It’s been a huge relief.”
Anonymous SPSCC Student
Milestones of Success:
The Class of 2024 at a Glance
With your support, 1,176 students graduated in 2024 with:
OVER 55% of students supported by the Foundation are paving the way as the first in their families to attend college.
Foundation-supported students earn higher GPAs and remain enrolled longer than their peers.
Making an Impact That Lasts: The Allen and Lan Phan Jones Endowed Scholarship
Lan Ngọc Phan came to the United States from Vietnam with her family in 1990. After studying English in SPSCC’s ESL program, Lan enrolled in SPSCC’s Food Service Technology program in 1993. To help with tuition expenses, she applied for a scholarship and received a $1,000 grant from the Nels Hanson Presidential Scholarship for Trade and Technology. She sent Nels a Phi Theta Kappa key ring with a note that read, “Dear Dr. Nels Hanson, this small thing will remind you of me, a Vietnamese student who received your scholarship. Thank you. Ngọc Lan P.”
This scholarship was helpful to Lan, so she thought someday, if she had the money, she would pay back the scholarship to help other students.
“Dear Dr. Nels Hanson, this small thing will remind you of me, a Vietnamese student who received your scholarship. Thank you.”
In 1994, Lan met Allen Jones and was surprised to learn that Nels was his uncle. Lan and Allen married in 1995 and Nels attended the wedding. When Nels passed away in 2016, Nels’ daughter, Carol, wrote to Lan. “Nels was so proud of the gift you gave to him. He always kept it on his desk. I now keep it close to me in my nightstand drawer. Nels was thrilled that you were his niece, and we are grateful you are our cousin.”
After graduating from SPSCC, Lan began working for Dr. Angela Bowen. She cooked free lunches for the staff of the Western Institutional Review Board (WiRB) for 19 years. During these years WiRB staff grew from a few people to more than 200. When WiRB expanded to the annex Lan catered a second lunch buffet at the annex, which is now named the Dr. Angela J. Bowen Center for Health Education.
In 2024, she and her husband fulfilled her dream of giving back to the College. They set up the Allen and Lan Phan Jones Endowed Scholarship for SPSCC students.
Ngọc Lan P.
Snapshots of Impact: A Year in Events
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy, we partnered with The Thurston Group of Washington State to celebrate scholarship recipients, raise funds, and hear from former NFL linebacker Spencer Paysinger.
At our spring Leadership Circle Gathering, we welcomed 17 new Lifetime Circle inductees and celebrated our generous supporters. This biennial event honors donors at all levels: Leadership ($1,000+ annually), Lifetime ($25,000+ lifetime giving), and Legacy (estate plan gifts). Pictured: Dr. Timothy Stokes with 2024 Lifetime Circle Inductees Coordinated Care.
In 2024, we hosted receptions to thank supporters and showcase students and programs, including a spring event before the SPSCC Theatre Collective’s production of Amélie
In June, the Clipper Scramble raised over $82,000 for student support, thanks to enthusiastic sponsors and competitive golfers. It was a day of fun on the course, making a real impact.
here: 2024 Tournament Sponsor TwinStar Credit Union’s golf team.
▲ This summer, past and present Foundation Board members and SPSCC Trustees gathered in Tumwater to celebrate our history, reconnect, and reflect on the past year’s achievements while looking ahead to the future. Since 1982, their leadership has helped guide our work, fostering student success.
Pictured
Don Rhodes (past board member), Nancy Beveridge, Suze Kent (past board member), and Christy Upton (current board member).
Shelley Folz (past board member), Judy Blinn (past college trustee), Linda Wilder, and Annie Iriye (current board member and past president).
Turn up the Volume on Student Success
Thank you for being part of this journey—empowering students, championing equity, and strengthening our community. Your support has already made a difference for students, and together, we can do even more. Continue creating opportunities by making a gift today or connecting with us to learn more about how you can stay involved.
Make a donation: spscc.edu/foundation/give-now