The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Foundation’s participation in Idaho Gives was a huge success. The 24-hour online fundraising event took place on Thursday, May 5. Thanks to generous contributions from CWI employees, the Foundation’s board of directors, and the community at large, CWI students will now have even more opportunities to achieve their academic dreams.
Idaho Gives is an annual day of giving designated to support the state’s nonprofits. The CWI Foundation participates in the event as the only charitable, nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting CWI. All proceeds the Foundation received this year, including a $1,500 match from Bank of the Cascades Foundation, will go toward a scholarship created by CWI employee Nikki Houston.
So far, Houston’s scholarship has been awarded to two students; Christina Northrop and Alicia Anderson. The roughly $5,000 in new funds raised during Idaho Gives can potentially help up to 18 additional students.
“It’s humbling to live in a place where people care so much about a scholarship and about education,” Houston said. “I am so grateful for everyone’s support. I can’t say ‘thank you’ enough.”
“On behalf of Nikki, her family, and the CWI Foundation, thank you for supporting Idaho Gives,” Mitch Minnette, the CWI Foundation’s executive director, said. “Thanks to our community’s support, we will continue working toward our goal of helping CWI students decrease their debt.”
This year, the collective efforts of more than 600 organizations brought in $1,053,681 for Idaho Gives. Next year’s event will be held May 4, 2017.