College of Western Idaho (CWI) called upon our community and supporters to help us celebrate the fourth annual CWI Giving Day on Tuesday, April 7. This 24-hour effort raised $43,870. This investment will help power the Treasure Valley and support the more than 34,000 students working toward degrees, certifications, and brighter futures right here in Idaho.
Support from donors, whether it be through gifts, event participation, or sharing the message, helped fuel opportunities across the College. More than 164 alumni, students, employees, and community members contributed to this impactful day, funding scholarships, programs, and critical student resources.
“The generosity shown during CWI Giving Day speaks to the heart of who we are as a community,” said CWI President Gordon Jones. “Every gift represents an investment in our students and their future. We are grateful to everyone who gave, shared, and supported this effort to expand access to education and opportunity across our community.”
Among the results, nearly $11,000 was raised for student scholarships, and more than $10,000 will support CWI Food Pantries. Faculty and staff also showed strong support, with 86 employees making gifts during the one-day campaign.
A standout moment was the Lunchtime Power Hour, where gifts were matched up to $5,000 through the generosity of an anonymous donor. More than $10,000 was raised during the challenge, with nearly 52 donors contributing from noon to 1 p.m.
Additional campaign highlights include:
- The Learning Commons won the Schools and Programs Competition, raising more than $1,000 from 32 donors to support the creation of an institutional archive that will serve as the living memory of CWI. The School of Social Sciences and Public Affairs and the Center for Teaching and Learning rounded out the top three, raising funds for the Preschool Field Trip Fund and Scholarship and the Connections Conference, respectively.
- Adult Education Teacher, Vicki Flowers, matched $500 for the Brendan Keating GED Testing Fund Match, helping cover the cost of GED testing for students who otherwise could not afford it. In total, $1,805 was raised for the Fund.
- The Soccer Club raised $1,000 for equipment, including a line painter, flags, and soccer balls. SkillsUSA Club raised more than $800 to support travel to the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta this June.
For the fourth year in a row, support from Albertsons Companies continued to play an important role in the success of this year's campaign. The company matched thousands of dollars to support the CWI Food Pantry and Urban Market Garden, which provides food and fresh produce for students and employees experiencing food insecurity.
CWI Giving Day launched in 2023 as a way to bring alumni, employees, students, and community partners together around a shared goal: investing in student success. Four years later, the campaign continues to grow, with this year's effort raising $43,870 and generating support for programs across the College.
Thank you to all those who supported the College and helped make the 2026 CWI Giving Day a triumph.
Although Giving Day has ended, opportunities to support CWI continue throughout the year. Anyone interested in making a gift can visit cwi.edu/give or contact the CWI Foundation at foundation@cwi.edu.
