by Toni DeAngelis
TRINIDAD — The Trinidad State Junior College Educational Foundation has been in existence since 1968 with a focus on raising, accepting, and managing private gifts that benefit Trinidad State Junior College. With 50 years of history, growth, and success, this monumental milestone is worthy celebrating and recognizing the significance of the foundation in its role of serving the college and the community for five decades.
In January 1968, a forward-thinking, dedicated group of individuals who were genuinely interested in the welfare and growth of Trinidad State Junior College decided to establish the TSJC Educational Foundation. And so, the articles of incorporation were created under the Colorado Nonprofit Corporation Act and were approved January 12, 1968. Thus, the foundation became a private, non-profit corporation operating as a separate entity from the college. The foundation’s mission is to promote the growth and development of Trinidad State Junior College.
It is through the efforts of its members who have guided and developed the foundation into the current thriving and robust organization able to enhance the educational opportunities at the college. Since its inception, the foundation has provided funding for several areas including scholarships, academic and vocational programs, campus beautification projects, as well as acquisition and renovation of various capital projects on behalf of the college.
With over $8.4 million in total assets, the foundation continues to concentrate on the long-term growth and sustainability of TSJC. Two thirds of the total assets are limited by donor restrictions to either a specified purpose or time including funds of perpetual duration (endowments). Currently, the foundation manages over 80 endowments.
In the last 10 years alone, the foundation has assisted the college to the tune of nearly $4 million – $2.5 million in scholarships, $1 million in programs/instructional support, and $500,000 in capital improvements. Thanks to private contributions from the community, alumni, and other philanthropic-minded individuals the Foundation has received contributions of more than $4.7 million during that same time.
Foundation members continue to be crucial to the success of the foundation’s fundraising goals and are civic-minded citizens of the communities served by TSJC. They have a vested interest in the growth and welfare of the college as well as the community. In order to ensure the success of the foundation’s mission, foundation members serve as an ambassador of the college and of the foundation by sharing knowledge of issues, activities, and the need for community investment in order to continually foster greater private support for TSJC and its students.
The significance of the foundation to TSJC was exemplified best by Shaun Sullivan, son of the late TSJC President Dr. Thomas Sullivan when his father was inducted into the foundation’s Hall of Fame. He said, “It is the support of this foundation that is so important to the ongoing success of this college and its importance to this community.” As has been the case for 50 years, the foundation’s mission is accomplished through financial support that encourages and invigorates student success as well as financial support that strengthens the college’s capacity to enhance programmatic, instructional, and capital needs
