STLCC Launches Public Phase for $20 Million Campaign

St. Louis Community College and its foundation are celebrating the official launch of the public phase of a fundraising campaign, Opportunity for All: A Campaign for St. Louis Community College. 

The goal of raising $20 million is within reach, with more than $18.5 million secured toward that end.

The comprehensive campaign effort spans all four campuses and focuses on high-demand, priority initiatives agreed upon by College and STLCC Foundation leadership. These areas include offering increased scholarships and other student support initiatives that get STLCC students through graduation and beyond. 

In addition, the campaign has helped fund the scaling up of two key program areas that will power the St. Louis economy in coming years: health sciences and information technology. Finally, the effort has brought in notable funding to grow the College’s workforce training initiatives, fueling increased partnerships with a diversity of businesses and industries. 

The campaign goal is to raise the remaining $1.5 million by the end of 2021. The campaign is the largest effort STLCC has undertaken in its nearly 60-year history, as well as its first comprehensive campaign.

Chancellor Jeff L. Pittman, Ph.D., celebrated the campaign during the STLCC Foundation’s Falling in Love…in Five Courses gala, which took place virtually in February. 

“We take our role seriously when it comes to being part of economic, workforce and quality of life solutions in St. Louis,” said Pittman. “From addressing social and educational inequities in our community to developing the workforce pipeline of tomorrow, St. Louis Community College is proud to be a catalyst of creating opportunity for all. The success of the Opportunity for All campaign is a tremendous vote of confidence in our purpose. We are excited to invite the community to join us as we stride toward the finish line by the end of this year.” 

The $298,286 raised at this year’s gala will count toward the campaign goal. 

According to Vanessa Okwuraiwe, chair of the STLCC Foundation Board, a strong partnership between the College and foundation has been key to the campaign’s success.  

“The STLCC Foundation Board has been honored to lead this effort alongside Dr. Pittman and the STLCC trustees,” said Okwuraiwe. “And we owe a great deal of thanks to partners such as Marilyn Bush with Bank of America, Rich Liekweg with BJC HealthCare, the state of Missouri, Peg Mooney, Robin and Tim Wentworth, Emerson Electric, Boeing, and so many more.” 

Over the last three years, the College has secured more than $18 million in gifts, grants and commitments from private donors, as well as new public funding. Despite the onset of the global pandemic in 2020, the College’s fundraising advanced steadily. New partnerships also emerged around the national movement for racial equity, recognizing the College’s critical role in educating a diverse population for the jobs of today and tomorrow. 

For more information, contact Jo-Ann Digman, executive director of the STLCC Foundation, at jdigman1@stlcc.edu or 314-539-5358.