Central College enjoyed another record-breaking year in its fundraising efforts for the Journey Scholarship Fund and saw “tremendous” overall support for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020.

More than 4,000 alumni and friends donated $5.67 million, an increase of more than 20% from the previous fiscal year. Central also saw an increase in participation with more total donors than the previous year.

A record $1.38 million went toward the Journey Scholarship Fund, surpassing last year’s total of $1.34 million. This past academic year, 640 students received a Journey Scholarship. At Central, 100% of gifts to the Journey Scholarship Fund directly support students.

The college also witnessed an increase in the number of endowed scholarships created, with 12 new scholarships formed, bringing the total of endowed scholarships at the college to 281. Endowed scholarships also directly support student education and leave a sustainable, long-term legacy of generosity.

It also was a significant year for the Forever Dutch Initiative as construction began on the lower level of P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium and is scheduled to be completed by August 2020. Some of the funding momentum included a 48-Hour Challenge in August 2019 that raised $291,588, surpassing its goal of $220,000. It included gifts from 328 alumni and friends.

“We are so grateful to our donors for helping continue the tradition of giving that allows current and future students to have access to a Central education. Philanthropy helps underwrite every aspect of our mission,” says Sunny Gonzales Eighmy, vice president for advancement and a 1999 Central graduate. “We are so incredibly fortunate to have donors — alumni, friends and foundations — who are committed to this amazing institution.”