The Lasting Impact of an Endowed Gift

When Kelly Smith was out of funding and had no way to pay for the remainder of her program, it was an endowed scholarship—created 15 years before—that provided her the financial support she needed.

“Without the Foundation’s generosity, I would not have been able to complete my studies, and I will be forever grateful for the assistance they provided in helping me reach my educational goals,” Kelly said.

That’s the power of endowed gifts: the lasting impact they have in supporting our students.

Kelly is an alum of both colleges, having studied library and information science at Spokane Falls, and administrative and secretarial science at Spokane Community College.

“I went to school because I wanted to create a better opportunity for myself and my son following my divorce,” she said.

It was hard work. She struggled with deadlines, and she ended up having to put her hobbies to the side while she focused on studying.

“I am not a quitter, and I was determined to complete what I started, no matter how long it took, or what stood in my way,” Kelly said.

She persevered, and she and her family felt an enormous sense of pride when she graduated last year.

Now she’s an administrative assistant for her father’s business and is training to take over that company when her father retires. In five years, she’ll be a small-business owner, able to support herself and her son, just like she’d hoped when she went back to school.

To donors, she says, “Your contributions can change someone’s life.” She credits her scholarship award as helping her while she achieved her important goal.

Interested in learning how you can create an endowed gift that supports students for generations? Contact Heather Beebe-Stevens at 509-434-5125 or h.beebe-stevens@ccs.spokane.edu.