KCTCS Giving Day raises over $375,000 to support students

Students across the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) will have more support to stay in school and reach their goals thanks to the generosity of donors during this year’s Giving Day, helping remove barriers that too often stand between students and a better future.

In just 24 hours, 1,656 gifts from 1,389 donors raised $375,106 to directly support students and strengthen programs across KCTCS’s 16 colleges. Contributions came from 22 states, the District of Columbia, and 85 Kentucky counties, demonstrating broad belief in the life-changing impact of community and technical education.

For many KCTCS students — working parents, first-generation college students, and adults balancing jobs and family responsibilities — these gifts mean more than financial support. They provide groceries through campus food pantries, emergency assistance in times of crisis, scholarships that make college possible, and resources that help students stay on track to graduation.

“This support is deeply personal for our students,” said KCTCS President Ryan Quarles. “Behind every gift is a student who can stay enrolled instead of dropping out, a parent who can keep food on the table while pursuing a degree, or a worker who gets a second chance at a better career. Our donors aren’t just giving dollars, they’re giving hope, stability, and the opportunity for our students to keep going when it matters most.”

This year’s Giving Day welcomed 289 new donors and reflected a dedicated network of support from faculty, alumni, staff, retirees, students, and friends of KCTCS. Employees alone accounted for nearly 60% of donations, underscoring the deep commitment within the KCTCS community.

“Giving Day is a powerful reminder that when everyone contributes what they can, it adds up to something transformational,” KCTCS Chief Advancement Officer Megan Stith said. “Each gift helps ensure our colleges have the resources needed to support students, strengthen programs, and ultimately help more Kentuckians build better lives.” 

In this year’s Giving Day challenges, West Kentucky Community and Technical College led in total funds raised, earning the College Leaderboard Fundraising Challenge and $1,000 in scholarships. Maysville Community and Technical College led with 254 gifts, winning the College Leaderboard Gifts Challenge and $1,000 in scholarships. Maysville also led in Student Emergency Fund Gifts with 195 contributions, earning an additional $1,000 in emergency funds, and topped the Alumni and Student Giving Challenge with 38 gifts, securing another $1,000 in scholarships.

“As a community college system, our mission is rooted in access and opportunity,” Quarles said. “Because of our donors, more students can overcome obstacles, complete their education, and build better lives for themselves and their families. That impact will be felt not just on our campuses, but in communities across Kentucky for years to come.”

To learn more about how to support KCTCS students in your local community or statewide, visit kctcs.edu/giving.