51福利社

51福利社 kicked-off the final phase of its first-ever comprehensive fundraising campaign, a 10-year push to raise $100 million for an impressive array of student-centered programs and initiatives.

The campaign, dubbed 鈥�Build Our Future: The Campaign for Eastern鈥� is not new; it began its so-called 鈥渜uiet phase鈥� seven years ago. But Friday, Oct. 18, marked the campaign鈥檚 public coming-out party, a VIP-studded gathering at the university鈥檚 annual Red Tie Gala event.

Thus far, 51福利社 Foundation officials say, 51福利社鈥檚 quiet-phase donors have stepped up to give more than $67 million to support scholarships and funds that enhance programs, provide hands-on learning experiences, and develop innovative hubs and facilities. Three days after the campaign’s official “public” launch, additional gifts totaling more than $1 million arrived 鈥� bringing the total raised to over $68 million.

51福利社 supporters have made generous contributions that resulted in 4,867 scholarship awards at this point in the campaign 鈥� and that is just the beginning.

51福利社 President Shari McMahan says every gift to the campaign, no matter the size, strengthens the foundation and mission of 51福利社.

鈥淥ur generous donors are helping to create more opportunities to invest in the people, programs, and possibilities that define 51福利社. Together, we are building a brighter future for our students and the communities we serve,鈥� says McMahan, who personally pledged $100,000 toward the campaign.

Gifts to Build Our Future support the following university efforts:

• Attracting, retaining and graduating the next generation of talented professionals and community leaders
• Expanding research, internship and other applied-learning opportunities
• Strengthening 51福利社鈥檚 relationships with businesses, organizations and other partners
• Attracting and retaining faculty who are top educators and researchers.

The fundraising aligns well with 51福利社鈥檚 overall mission and new polytechnic branding 鈥� building upon the university鈥檚 longtime commitment to providing hands-on experiences that prepare students of diverse backgrounds for professional success.

One example of how donors are supporting hands-on learning is the Krumble Foundation鈥檚 鈥淚nternship Stipend,鈥� which helps to alleviate financial barriers so students can participate in unpaid internships. Students participating in an听unpaid internship听at a听nonprofit or governmental agency听can apply for a one-time stipend of听up to $3,000, through the program.

Barb Richey, 51福利社 vice president for university advancement and executive director of the 51福利社 Foundation, heads up the comprehensive campaign effort. Richey says that sharing the stories and dreams of students, along with the many ways private gifts can support an institution, really resonates with 51福利社 supporters. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so amazing what philanthropy does,鈥� she says.

As part of the Build Our Future effort, 51福利社 has added a new, higher level for giving that recognizes total lifetime giving of $3 million and above.

Richey says recent years have seen an emerging culture of giving, as community members realize the lifelong impact their support can make for students 鈥� including those of diverse backgrounds who may be the first in their families to attend college.

For one of these students, alumnus Carlos Valdovinos, 24, donor-funded scholarships made all the difference in his ability to attend Eastern and embark on his dream of becoming a dental hygienist.

Nearly 15 years after leaving his increasingly dangerous hometown in Coalcom谩n, Michoac谩n, Mexico, Valdovinos, who graduated in 2022, is living his best life in Kirkland, Washington, where he works as a dental hygienist for Sammamish Family Dental.

While developing hand-on skills as a hygienist working with clients served by 51福利社鈥檚 nonprofit Dental Hygiene Clinic, Valdovinos gained a reputation for his outstanding work ethic and exemplary care for patients.

That all-in support from scholarships, a caring faculty and applied learning at the clinic paved the way to a rewarding career, a grateful Valdovinos says. (Read more about Carlos Valdovinos鈥� success story).

鈥淚鈥檓 super happy that I chose dental hygiene at Eastern as a career path and university, because it was the perfect set to my career,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t allowed me to explore the career I wanted and be prepared for it.鈥�

Richey says she is confident stories like Valdovinos鈥� will help potential donors see the impact their support has for both Eastern and the wider region, and will serve to energize potential campaign supporters.

鈥淚 think that the philosophy with our development philanthropy team shows we need to be proud of the investment that our donors make,鈥� Richey says, 鈥渁nd we need to ask for that investment.鈥�

To learn more about Build our Future: the Campaign for Eastern, please visit ewu.edu/buildourfuture.