By Stephanie Smith, Building Kentucky
More students will receive needs-based scholarships and access to food pantries, emergency aid and enrichment services thanks to the 123 donors who collectively contributed more than $24,000 on Jefferson Giving Day.
“We are grateful to our community of supporters who join us in our commitment to removing barriers to quality higher education. These contributions broke our Giving Day record and go far beyond financial stewardship, opening doors to brighter futures for our students,” Jefferson President Dr. Ty Handy said.
Jefferson joined the additional 15 colleges in the Kentucky Community Technical College System (KCTCS) Giving Day campaign. KCTCS exceeded its $350,000 fundraising goal in this second annual, 24-hour event. Donors had the option to give locally to their college or to the system and to contribute to specific causes. This year’s focus was on increasing the number of total gifts, which increased by 28% over last year’s Giving Day.
In a 2023 survey of KCTCS students, 58% of students worry about having enough money to pay for college, while 48% reported experiencing food and housing insecurity. The funds raised today will significantly impact Jefferson’s ability to remove barriers for students.
