Greetings Skyhawk Supporters,
You make a difference in the lives of Fort Lewis College students and the greater Skyhawk community. We are grateful to share this report showcasing the impact you specifically and collectively had on FLC in the 2020-2021 academic year.
Through turbulent times, your generosity inspired kinship through our #FLCTogether approach as we contended with the global health crisis and supported our students and community. The combined strength of your gifts gave our students continued access to an exceptional education powered by place, connectivity, and togetherness in person, online, and beyond the classroom.
Donors like you, no matter the size of your gift, breathe life into FLC and ensure we can tackle unforeseen challenges while bolstering the resiliency and innovation of our students, faculty, staff, and community. Thank you for the vital role you play in our shared success. You help keep FLC Forever moving forward.
With gratitude,
Melissa Mount Vice President of Advancement, Fort Lewis College CEO, FLC Foundation
Center of Southwest Studies • Fall Blaze • Foundation General Scholarship • Friends of the Community Concert Hall • Glenna Sexton Student Development • KDUR Radio • Theatre General Operating • Unrestricted • Village Aid Project • Women’s Softball • Women’s Soccer
Academic Hub • Center for Innovation • Health Sciences Center • Native American Center • Navajo Nation Solar Initiative • President’s Impact Fund
On December 1, 2020, 305 Skyhawk supporters backed a variety of campus initiatives raising a total of $226,460. Throughout the day, momentum and excitement soared, thanks to donors who matched gifts dollar-for-dollar for an additional $37,750.
2,275 total donors
796 new donors
$2,728,684 total gifts
$226,460 Record-setting donations for #GivingTuesday
2,227 Donated meals for 768 students and community members
7,586.47 Pounds of food donated through student-led food pantry, Grub Hub Food Pantry
$262,132 For athletic scholarships, donations, and gifts
$1,673,475 For Diversity Collaborative scholarships and academic programs
Your generosity invests in TODAY'S students, for a more sustainable future TOMORROW, creating a stronghold of academic excellence FOREVER.
School of Education: Backed by donors, FLC’s School of Education was able to offer scholarships for Education students and launched two powerful partnerships with neighboring Native American tribes. First, Teacher Education students traveled weekly to the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe’s Education Center in Towaoc to tutor students. And secondly, the SOE is working with the Southwest Language Development Institute and Southern Ute Indian Tribe to develop and offer a 10-course certificate program designed to increase the number of Ute language teachers available in K-12 schools and the community. The program includes all three Ute Tribes: Southern Ute, Ute Mountain Ute, and Northern Ute. In addition, Teacher Education students served in several other tutoring programs at Durango High School and other area schools.
FLOW: In 2020, FLC purchased a commercial rafting company, launching a college-wide river program called Fort Lewis on the Water. Powered by FLC’s unparalleled location, FLOW will offer access to educational and leadership development opportunities, wellness initiatives, service-learning components, and more. FLOW is a product of collaboration between several programs on campus and individual donors, who have been working for years to see this program come to life.
School of Business Administration: During the 6th Annual Hawk Tank Business Plan Competition this spring, 18 teams vied for $65,000 in donated cash and scholarship awards.
“Participating in Hawk Tank was such a rewarding experience…It gave me the confidence to pursue the dream that had always been inside my head, but I was unsure if I had the resources or right ideas to make it a reality.”
Bella Sage, Blossom & Brews
Skyhawk Emergency Fund & Persistence Grants: Since the start of the pandemic, the Skyhawk Emergency Fund & Persistence Grants have removed barriers for hundreds of students. When faced with unexpected financial hardships, these grants provided rapid financial support, helping students achieve their goals of earning a college degree.
“This grant [is] very helpful in this time of uncertainty, and I am thankful that it exists for all the students struggling right now. Thank you!”
Anonymous student
Diversity Collaborative: This year, 67 donors gave $1,673,475 to the Diversity Collaborative’s scholarship funds and inclusive academic programming, like the Literacies, Inclusion & Transit project. With your help, the Diversity Collaborative also continues to celebrate and sustain affinity groups on campus, such as the Black Student Resource Center, Native American Center, the Gender & Sexuality Center, and El Centro de Muchos Colores.
Athletics: In addition to gifts for Athletics scholarship and team funds, Skyhawk Club Fund donations accumulated $181,081 for a total $262,132 to uphold the lives and performance abilities of our student athletes. While championships begin with student-athlete scholarships, FLC’s Athletics program focused efforts on enhanced safety measures and resources to help Skyhawk athletes tackle the challenges of 2020-2021.
Student Engagement: Thanks to donor support, FLC was able to hire a COVID Case Manager to provide one-on-one support for students dealing with struggles related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This invaluable person connected students to timely resources, delivered supplies to isolated or quarantined students, and helped vulnerable Skyhawks feel valued and cared for during their time of need.
Center for Innovation: Supported entirely by donations, the newly hatched Center for Innovation provided business support, steady internet, and plenty of workspace for burgeoning startups, community members, and the successful pilot program for FLC’s new student marketing agency.
Grub Hub: Backed by local farmers, businesses, nonprofits, and Skyhawk donors, 36 volunteers served 2,227 meals to 768 students and community members for a total of 7,587 pounds through the student-led Grub Hub Food Pantry.
School of Arts & Sciences: The School of Arts & Sciences raised $141,722 for the Navajo Nation Solar Initiative, supporting continued efforts to provide solar energy for the Navajo Nation installed by students and faculty. Donor support also helped form FLC’s new Performing Arts Department by purchasing tickets or donating to events held virtually throughout the pandemic.
Your gifts are how we SOAR. From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU! And GO SKYHAWKS!