Allen is committed to providing accessible, high quality educational programs and financial support for our students. Allen provides opportunities for personal growth in a supportive, caring, diverse environment that supports development as individuals and aspiring professionals no matter how far our students wish to take their educational goals.

Fundraising plays an even larger role in community college settings than it ever has before. With the constant worry of education budget cuts at the federal and state level, private fundraising is vital to the success of smaller rural community colleges such as Allen.

It is the vision of the Allen Community College Endowment association, that with the help of private donors this five year campaign will expand the opportunity to raise funds in the areas of facilities projects, athletics and fine arts, endowed scholarships, programming, naming rights opportunities and general operating expenses. The endowment association wants to create a milestone campaign that will help carry our students through to the next 100 years and beyond.

In 1971 a group of active alumni and community leaders saw a need for the college to have an outside funding source to help with student scholarships.  Three local banks donated a total of $1,250.00 and the ACCC Endowment Association was born.  The original board of directors included the following individuals:  Robert Stadler, Robert Talkington, Lloyd Swanson, Dr. Bill Spencer, Mrs. Emerson Lynn Jr., Ivan Strickler, John Powell, Douglas Dawson, Lawrence Singer, Jim Strong, Fred Hiller, Jack Works, Floyd Smith, Dr. John Corpolongo, and Webb Dreiling.

In 1995 the Endowment Association was awarded a Challenge Grant from the federal government.  This award meant that if the Endowment Association reached a goal of $250,000 the government would match that goal with $500,000—a two for one match!  With the commitment of the ACCC Administration, the ACCC Endowment Board, and the work of many volunteers, that goal was met and exceeded! After an 18-month period, the Endowment Association’s assets had reached $1.2 million dollars.

In October of 2004, the Endowment Association was fortunate to receive another Challenge Grant and the “Gateway to Education Million Dollar Challenge Grant Campaign” was born.  If $350,000 was raised in a five year period, it would be matched with another $350,000, a one-for-one match, for a total of $700,000. The Endowment Association Board of Directors are always up to a challenge, so adding another $300,000 to the campaign made it a million dollar event! At the end of this Million Dollar Campaign on September 30, 2009; the Endowment Association had raised $1,419, 209.61 and endowed 55 new scholarships!

On November 5, 2013, the Endowment Association launched their newest scholarship campaign “Enriching Your Future: Celebrating 90 Years in Education”.  The five-year plan to raise $500,000 for student scholarships and create 25 new scholarships. In just a year and a half, we are over halfway to both our monetary and scholarship goal!  

In the spring of 2014, we reached assets of $5.2 million!  During the previous academic school year, Allen Community College and the Endowment Association awarded just over $1.2 million in scholarship dollars to Allen students!

The Endowment Association sponsors several fundraising activities throughout the year.  These include a telefund, silent auction, live auction and dinner, and a golf tournament.  A scholarship luncheon to honor scholarship donors and student recipients is held in the fall.

Officers

President - Nikki Peters, Iola

President Elect - Brett Lisher, Iola

Secretary - Angel Kaufman, Iola 

Treasurer -  Blake Mueller,  Humboldt

Board of Directors

Karen Emerson, Humboldt

Leanne Trabuc, Colony

Hannah Brown, Iola

Kay Lewis, Iola

Kim Ensminger, Moran

Toni Manbeck, Humboldt

Kylee Geffert, Humboldt

Mark Larson, Colony

Rebecca Nilges, Iola

Kristin Ballard, Iola

Jessica McGinnis, Iola

Ex-Officio

Dr. Bruce Moses, Gas

Roberta Nickell, Humboldt