Your generosity changes lives at Fort Lewis College. In fiscal year 2026, donors opened doors through scholarships, strengthened hands-on learning and research, supported reconciliation, and helped students prepare to serve their communities. Explore the people, programs, and possibilities your partnership made possible.

Message from President Heather Shotton 

Heather Shotton

Dear FLC benefactors, 

Every day at Fort Lewis College, I have the privilege of seeing your generosity at work. 

I see it in students who are pursuing research they never imagined possible. I see it in classrooms where curiosity turns into confidence, in internships that prepare students for meaningful careers, and in the excitement of graduates ready to make a difference in their communities and beyond. 

These moments don’t happen by chance.

They are made possible by a community of alumni, donors, and friends who believe in the potential of every student and in the investment you make in Fort Lewis College and our students. 

As you read this year’s impact report, I hope you’ll see what I see every day: your generosity in action. While this report highlights milestones and accomplishments from the past year, those achievements also tell a much bigger story. They reflect lives changed through scholarships, opportunities created through experiential learning and undergraduate research, and barriers removed so students can focus on learning, growing, and achieving their goals. 

One of the things I love most about Fort Lewis College is that generosity creates a ripple effect.

When you invest in a student, you invest in their family, their community, and the future they will help shape. The impact of your support extends far beyond our campus. 

Thank you for believing in the mission of Fort Lewis College and in the incredible potential of our students. Your partnership makes this work possible, and I am grateful for all you do to help our students thrive. 

With gratitude, 
Heather Shotton, PhD 
President 
Fort Lewis College 


$20,602,344

fundraising total


$12,499,390

new gifts & commitments


$8,102,954

planned gift commitments
Jason Portz

Thank you for your partnership, your generosity, and your confidence in the mission of Fort Lewis College and the Fort Lewis College Foundation. Whether you have supported scholarships, academic excellence, student experiences, athletics, or another area close to your heart, your commitment makes an immeasurable difference. Every gift tells our students that they are seen, valued, and worthy of investment.

Jason Portz
FLC Foundation Board Chair

Lori Cook

The commitment of Fort Lewis College and the Fort Lewis College Foundation to providing an exceptional education, expanding access for students from every background, and preparing graduates to make meaningful contributions to their communities is extraordinary. Every philanthropic investment strengthens that mission, creating opportunities that would not otherwise exist and empowering students to reach their fullest potential. Thank you for investing in that potential.

Lori Cook
Vice President of Advancement &
CEO of the Fort Lewis College Foundation

Our growth

Thoughtful stewardship helps every gift create impact today and build opportunities for the future. The Fort Lewis College Foundation’s endowment reached $45,268,283 in fiscal year 2026, continuing a period of significant growth and strengthening long-term support for students, programs, and faculty.

Bar chart titled "FLCF FY25 Investment Performance Compared to NACUBO" comparing investment returns for three categories. FLCF FY25 returns are 10.6%, 11.1%, and 9.9%, while NACUBO returns for institutions with under $50 million in assets are 10.7%, 11.5%, and 10.0%. In each category, NACUBO slightly outperforms FLCF. The chart uses blue bars for FLCF FY25 and gold bars for NACUBO, with a vertical axis ranging from 8.0% to 12.0%.

Line chart titled "FY26 Endowment Growth" showing steady growth in endowment value from 2020 to 2026. The endowment increases from approximately $11.1 million in 2020 to $45.3 million in 2026. Data points shown are $11,080,000 (2020), $11,829,000 (2021), $13,634,000 (2022), $15,835,000 (2023), $32,795,000 (2024), $38,063,800 (2025), and $45,268,283 (2026). The chart highlights a significant increase beginning in 2024, followed by continued growth through 2026.


$2,545,326
scholarships paid in FY26



$11,861,584
transferred to the College in FY26

Impact stories

FLC raises over $4.6M for scholarships in celebration of investiture

FLC raises over $4.6M for scholarships in celebration of investiture

Donors rally around President Shotton’s investiture to remove financial barriers for students.

CU/FLC Collaborative brings hands-on training, networking opportunities to the Four Corners region

CU/FLC Collaborative brings hands-on training, networking opportunities to the Four Corners region

In a two-day symposium, health care workers learned from renowned CU experts, got practical skills training in a high-fidelity simulation lab and an OBGYN ‘escape room’.

Philanthropy fuels reconciliation work at Fort Lewis College

Philanthropy fuels reconciliation work at Fort Lewis College

Supported by nearly $2 million in grants, the FLC Reconciliation Center's first year of work included faculty training, student leadership programs, and community partnerships.

Students’ vision for an Indigenous Garden takes root at Fort Lewis College

Students’ vision for an Indigenous Garden takes root at Fort Lewis College

A student-led vision becomes reality as Fort Lewis College’s Indigenous Garden creates space for Indigenous knowledge, food sovereignty, and community connection.

Katz Marketing Agency consultants help local organizations strengthen business strategies

Katz Marketing Agency consultants help local organizations strengthen business strategies

Fort Lewis College students delivered marketing strategies, solutions to nonprofits and businesses across Durango. They presented their findings at the Katz Client Showcase earlier this summer.

FLC senior, Reisher Scholar, heads to Australia to study impact of colonization on Indigenous culture

FLC senior, Reisher Scholar, heads to Australia to study impact of colonization on Indigenous culture

Britt Herman is also a recipient of the prestigious Gilman International Scholarship