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Illinois Eastern Community Colleges will host its first-ever coordinated Day of Giving on March 31, inviting alumni, businesses, and community members to support student success across its four campuses.
The 24-hour event will feature fundraising efforts led by the foundations of Frontier Community College, Lincoln Trail College, Olney Central College, and Wabash Valley College. Each campus will focus on raising support for scholarships, programs, and initiatives that benefit students.
IECC Vice Chancellor of Institutional Outreach Tona Ambrose said the idea for a coordinated Day of Giving grew out of the district’s recent reorganization and a renewed focus on strengthening alumni engagement.
“IECC has wanted to establish an alumni community for years, and with the collaborative reorganization of our district two years ago, it seemed like the perfect time to create our first Day of Giving,” Ambrose said. “This event gives each of our college foundations an intentional opportunity to grow partnerships with alumni, businesses, and community supporters who care deeply about student success.”
While each campus will highlight its own priorities, Ambrose said holding the event on the same day creates a sense of shared purpose across the district.
“Each campus has unique needs and priorities, but we are united by a commitment to serving our students and communities,” she said. “A coordinated effort allows alumni and supporters to rally around the campus that means the most to them while still contributing to the broader IECC mission.”
Support from the college foundations plays an important role in helping students succeed. Donations often fund scholarships, campus programs, and improvements to facilities and learning environments.
“Foundation support has a direct and meaningful impact on students every day,” Ambrose said. “These gifts help make college more affordable, remove barriers that might otherwise prevent students from completing their education, and allow students to focus on learning and achieving their goals.”
Ambrose emphasized that even small gifts can make a difference for students.
“A modest scholarship might help a student purchase a textbook, pay for a certification exam, or cover part of their tuition,” she said. “When many people come together and contribute, even small amounts, the collective impact can be powerful.”
Beyond fundraising, the event is designed to strengthen connections between the colleges and the communities they serve. It will also help the district reconnect with alumni and expand its ability to stay in contact with graduates in the future.
“Launching a coordinated Day of Giving reflects IECC’s commitment to building strong relationships with our foundations, alumni, and the communities we serve,” Ambrose said. “We see it as the beginning of a new tradition that celebrates community generosity and will have a lasting positive impact on our students.”
Ambrose said the event is about more than a single day of giving.
“Day of Giving is about building a culture of connection and pride,” she said. “We want alumni, community partners, faculty, staff, and students to feel that they are all part of something bigger. When our colleges succeed, our communities succeed as well.”
