Brief History

The South Seattle College Foundation was established in 1978 to receive and administer charitable gifts on behalf of South Seattle College. The first 20 years of the Foundation’s history involved intensive friend-raising and relationship building while working with the College to support its expansion plans. The Foundation’s fundraising efforts resulted in endowment building and planned giving strategies not only with the campus infrastructure but also increasing the number and type of programs offered at the college. The endowment outreach and planned giving efforts started to have positive effects in the 1990s.

As it was in 1978 and continues today, friendship building and fundraising are of paramount importance.

Financial Support

On an annual basis, the Foundation makes $1.5 million available to South Seattle College to support students, faculty, programs, and capital projects.

  • Student Scholarships – $518,000
  • Student Support (emergency grants, books stipends, etc.) – $239,000
  • Academic and Technical Program Support – $150,000
  • Faculty Professional Development Grants – $85,000
  • Capital Project Support and Grants – $470,000
  • President’s Discretionary Fund – $50,000

Foundation Financial Milestones 

  • 2003 – Completed $2.4 million Culinary Arts Capital Campaign
  • 2004 – Completed $1.2 million Arboretum Capital Campaign
  • 2007 – Reached $1.6 million in assets
  • 2010 – Reached $10 million in assets
  • 2016 – Completed and exceeded the $8.2 million Endowment Campaign for 13th Year Promise Scholarship (raised approximately $12 million)
  • 2017 – Reached $18 million in assets
  • 2019 – Granted $350,000 for Alki Café Remodeling project
  • 2020 – Reached $20 million in assets
  • 2023 – Granted $200,000 for Wellness Center equipment
  • 2025 – Reached $27 million in assets