KCTCS Giving Day raises over $350,000 to support students

Published on Apr 17, 2025

Gifts are ‘lifelines and launchpads for students striving toward brighter futures’

More than 1,100 donors in 28 states and 91 Kentucky counties rallied together to help ease financial barriers for Kentucky Community and Technical College System students by contributing more than $350,000 in the second annual, 24-hour KCTCS Giving Day.

Funds will be used for need-based scholarships, food pantries, emergency aid, enrichment programs and other initiatives identified by the state’s 16 community colleges, all aimed at helping students thrive in college so they can stay and complete their programs.

“I’m deeply grateful for the financial support from all of our communities — alumni, partners, employees and businesses,” said KCTCS President Ryan Quarles. “Your contributions are more than just gifts; they are lifelines and launchpads for students striving toward brighter futures.”

In a 2023 survey of KCTCS students, 58% of students worry about having enough money to pay for college, while 48% reported experiencing food and housing insecurity.

Donors had the option to give locally to their college or to the system, and to contribute to specific causes.

This year’s focus was on increasing the number of total gifts, which increased by 28% over last year’s Giving Day.

Current faculty and staff and retirees led the donor base at 64%. Alumni of one of the 16 KCTCS colleges made up 22% of the donors. People identifying as friends of KCTCS and its colleges contributed 17% of the total. Board members contributed 7%, with students giving 5% of the day’s total.

The KCTCS Foundation also outlined several challenges to help college organizers reach their goals. West Kentucky Community and Technical College raised the highest total as well as the highest number of gifts allocated to student emergency funds. Elizabethtown Community and Technical College received the highest number of total gifts, while Hazard Community and Technical College had the most combined gifts from Alumni and Students.

“Thanks to your generosity, we came together to support our students in the ways they need it most. Whether it’s food, housing or other essentials, your gifts will help more students accomplish their educational goals,” said Megan Stith, executive director of the KCTCS Foundation.

To learn more about how to support KCTCS students in your local community or statewide, contact megan.stith@kctcs.edu.