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4th Consecutive Record-breaking Year!
Gratitude from the president of Fort Lewis College

Heather Shotton, President, Fort Lewis CollegeIt is an honor to join you in celebrating the extraordinary impact of the Fort Lewis College Foundation over the past year—another record-breaking fundraising year directly supporting FLC’s mission. As I step into the role of president, I am filled with gratitude and excitement for the deep commitment this community holds for our students, our mission, and our shared future.

I want to thank you—our donors, volunteers, and philanthropic partners—for your belief in our mission. From the inaugural cohort of our CU Anschutz/ FLC Nursing Collaborative to the bold expansion of clean energy research, or the enduring promise of reconciliation to meeting our students’ basic needs, your support has touched every corner of our campus and helped transform lives. These are not just institutional milestones, they are stories of students who are thriving, families who are hopeful, and communities that are stronger.

I am also grateful to Steve Schwartz for his thoughtful leadership as interim president. Steve guided the college through a year of transition with steadiness and heart.

Looking ahead, I’m filled with hope and optimism. Together, we are bringing FLC’s strategic plan to life—advancing academic excellence, student readiness, basic needs, reconciliation, and community connections. I’m excited for the year to come and all we will accomplish together in service to our students.

Thank you for standing with us and supporting FLC's critical work. I look forward to leading with heart and tenacity, listening deeply, and building lasting trust as we continue this journey together. With gratitude,

Heather Shotton, Ph.D.
President of Fort Lewis College


$20,949,013
fundraising total

$7,862,516
new gifts & commitments

$13,086,526
planned gift commitments
Melissa Mount

Thanks to your generosity, our students are finding the courage to lead, the support to thrive, and the inspiration to give back. Your investment at every level has a profound impact—fueling each step forward for our students, faculty, and staff, and helping build a vibrant campus and community. We’re deeply grateful.

Melissa Mount
CEO, FLC Foundation & Vice President of Advancement

Steve Short

Your investment in FLC is already creating lasting returns in student success, institutional strength, and community transformation. We’re proud to steward the resources you entrust to the FLC Foundation with integrity and gratitude, always focused on the impact they make possible.

Steve Short
FLC Foundation Board Chair

Strong overall investment performance

Bar chart showing over 10% growth in Foundation investments in the last year. This year, the FLC Foundation reached a milestone $38,063,800 in endowment—a testament to the generosity and vision of our donors. In fiscal year 2024–25, donors established 18 new endowed funds, bringing the total to 188 endowed funds. Each fund fuels student opportunity, strengthens faculty excellence, and powers innovative programs that will shape the Skyhawk community for years to come.

Our transparent, disciplined stewardship continues to deliver results. Participation in the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) Study on Endowments confirms our strong performance among peer institutions with assets under $50 million. For the year ending June 30, 2025, our portfolio achieved a five-year average return of 10%.

Building on this momentum, we adopted an Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO) model to better navigate market complexities, reduce costs, lower risk, and enhance long-term returns. A single purpose guides every decision: maximizing the impact of every donor dollar for the benefit of Fort Lewis College students, today and for future generations.


188
total endowed funds


10%
five-year return average