Ways to Support and Donate

The Fund for Opportunity supports South Seattle College where it’s needed most. Because these donations are unrestricted, the Foundation can respond to emerging needs and direct resources where they will make the greatest impact—whether that’s enhancing academic or technical programs, funding capital projects, or providing student and faculty grants.

Recent contributions have funded a wide range of projects, such as remodeling the Alki Café, equipping the Wellness Center with new cardio and strength machines, adding advanced tools for electric vehicle training in the Automotive Program, expanding the Maker Space program with a new 3D printer and updated sewing machines, and restoring the Arboretum’s sensory garden and fountain.

The Adopt-A-Student Fund gives donors the opportunity to make an immediate and tangible impact by directly covering education related expenses for one or more academic quarters. Currently, one quarter of tuition for a resident student taking 15 credits of lower-division courses is $1,645.05. Accordingly, there is a minimum donation to this fund of $2,000 to cover tuition, fees, and materials. Donors may also personalize their gift by selecting the program of study to support and suggesting characteristics or needs of the student(s) who will benefit.

The General Scholarship Fund welcomes gifts of any size to support South Seattle College students. Donations are pooled and awarded during the next scholarship cycle to qualified students in any program, ensuring help goes where it’s needed most.

Many individuals and corporations elect to create an Endowment. Donors can specify which program of study they wish their Scholarships to be used, or donors may choose to support a particular program. The Foundation’s main goal is to work with donors so that their wishes are followed now and in perpetuity. The minimum donation needed to create an Endowment is $50,000, though contributions can begin with $25,000 with the remainder contributed over a period of five years. The Foundation invests this money with the advice of our professional investment advisor; and once the income from the Endowment reaches at least $2,000, monies are then awarded according to donor intent.

To view our current Endowments please visit Our Endowment Donors page.

The 13th Year Promise Scholarship began in 2006 and first served Cleveland High School graduates in 2008, later adding Chief Sealth (2011), Rainier Beach (2014), and West Seattle (2018)—our “Legacy Schools.” It offered one year of free tuition plus advising, mentorship, tutoring, and a Preparedness Academy. A $12 million endowment campaign, completed in 2017, ensured its permanence.

In 2018, Seattle voters approved a levy to expand the program citywide as the Seattle Promise Scholarship, providing two years of free tuition at any of the three Seattle Colleges (North, Central, South) to all Seattle Public High School graduates.

Since tuition is now covered by the City levy, the Foundation funds a Legacy Schools Grant—up to $200 per quarter for books and supplies for eligible South Seattle College students. We remain committed to honoring 13th Year donors and continue seeking ways to meet students’ unmet financial needs.

South Seattle College’s Legacy Club recognizes those donors who plan to contribute through a will, beneficiary designation, gift annuity, or trust. Please contact the Foundation by email or phone for specifics regarding the Legacy Club.

Acceptable in-kind donations are gifts of goods – such as equipment, machinery, vehicles, and tools – or services that serve the purposes of and support for South Seattle College. In order for the South Seattle College Foundation to accept an in-kind gift, the donation must be approved by the appropriate SSC program Vice President/Director, the College President, and the Administrative Services Vice President. The agreement of acceptance of the donation is not valid until the form is completed with all required signatures.

Please contact advancement@seattlecolleges.edu, for specifics regarding the In-Kind Process Overview and In-Kind Donation Form.

The South Seattle College Foundation is certified by Benevity as a valid non-profit organization and can be designated for contributions through their corporate giving portal. This technology allows employees of corporations to make charitable contributions that are matched by their employer. Benevity creates a gift receipt for the employee for their tax records and forwards the funds directly to the chosen non-profit organization.