Funding the Future
At Clark College Foundation, we believe in the power of education to transform lives and build a brighter future. But achieving success isn’t just about opening doors—it’s about removing barriers, nurturing innovation, and providing the critical equitable resources that our students need to thrive. That’s why we’re funding the future through four key initiatives, each designed to support the diverse needs of our students and the community.
This funding approach leverages pooled resources, enabling us to create larger, more flexible funds that can greatly enhance student success and program excellence at Clark College.
Clark College Student Success Fund
The Clark College Student Success Fund is a mission-driven program that inspires Clark faculty and staff to think big about how to support student success at Clark College. The fund aims to enhance equitable access to wraparound resources and support impactful programs, particularly those that benefit students facing multiple barriers to success (first-generation, limited English, low-income, etc.)
A few examples of how the fund is utilized include:
– Emergency grant assistance for at-risk students.
– Basic needs hub (cultivating sustainable self-efficacy)
– Literary internship programs
Clark College Innovation Fund
The Clark College Innovation Fund aims to support initiatives that enable students and faculty to explore new frontiers in education and research. Established to foster a culture of creativity and advancement, the Innovation Fund provides essential resources for pioneering projects and academic endeavors. The fund supports student-faculty research expeditions, helping to develop cutting-edge curricula in high-demand fields such as advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, health sciences, and information technology. Clark College constantly works to implement projects that enhance student learning and post-graduation opportunities. By leveraging the Innovation Fund, Clark College can dream big and develop programs beyond what traditional state funded education can support, offering unique experiential learning opportunities.
The Clark Fund
The Clark Fund is our cornerstone fund, providing essential financial support to key areas of the college, including faculty and staff development, refurbishing classrooms, and presidential initiatives. The Clark Fund offers the flexibility to address immediate needs and underfunded programs that state funds can’t cover. This ensures that crucial projects, like maintaining our cherished cherry blossoms and other facilities, as well as performing arts and community events at Clark College, get the support they deserve. This adaptability not only supports the college’s infrastructure but also empowers us to seize new opportunities that enhance the educational experience for our students and community.
Clark College General Scholarships Fund
General Scholarships play a critical role in supporting students who may need just a little more to fill in the gap and succeed at Clark College. These scholarships often make the difference between dropping out and achieving a degree, particularly by helping students cover unexpected costs and complete their education. They provide essential support for part-time students who may not qualify for other, more restrictive scholarships, assist students in completing their final quarter, and can even pay for an entire student’s education! Donations to General Scholarships directly support students with the greatest need, offering them the opportunity to stay on track and reach their academic goals. The flexibility of a General Scholarships fund allows the Foundation to respond quickly to the most urgent and evolving needs of students. Whether there’s a sudden increase in demand for financial aid or a shift in student demographics, the fund can be allocated where it’s most needed.