News Releases
July 7, 2010
For Immediate Release
For additional information:
Ara Serjoie, Vice President for Development, Clark College Foundation
Telephone: 360-992-2428 or
Cell: 360-241-7964
Email: aserjoie@clark.edu
"Best Practices" Earn a National Award for Clark College Foundation
Judged against more than 1,000 institutions of higher education,
the Foundation represents one of only two community colleges to be honored
VANCOUVER, Wash.–Clark College Foundation has been named a winner of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) 2010 WealthEngine Awards for Educational Fundraising, which honors superior fundraising programs across the country. The foundation was selected to receive an award based on the judges’ analysis of three years of fundraising data.
The award is a component of CASE’s Circle of Excellence program which honors exemplary advancement initiatives and activities by member educational entities throughout the world.
“Because your fundraising program was judged by a panel of your peers,” said Norma Walker, vice president of CASE advancement programs, “this award is not only a recognition of its high value to your institution, but also an acknowledgement of its stature as a best practice that contributes to the advancement profession overall.”
For the 2010 award, 1,005 higher education institutions were eligible for consideration. The field was narrowed down to 253 college and universities. Ultimately, 34 organizations won awards – 20 in “Overall Performance” and 12, including the Clark College Foundation, for “Overall Improvement.”
Clark College Foundation President/CEO Lisa Gibert noted that the judges reviewed a three-year period that began with the foundation’s restructuring in 2006 to refocus its fundraising efforts. “We didn’t apply for this recognition,” said Gibert. “It was given based on benchmarking information collected from us by CASE for the past three years. I’m very proud of the work that got us to this point.”
Only one other two-year public college – located in New York – received an award. Institutions honored in other categories included Brown University, Smith College, the United States Military Academy, Vassar College, and Washington & Lee University.
“The Clark College Foundation is a superb partner. Their leadership and staff do outstanding work in support of our college and our students,” said Robert K. Knight, Clark College president. “It’s exciting to know that their peers across the country recognize the foundation’s commitment to excellence.”
About the Clark College Foundation
Established in 1973, the award-winning Clark College Foundation is a nonprofit, tax-exempt public charity that functions as the fundraising arm of Clark College.
Three individuals have earned the international Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation, which demonstrates a mastery of core knowledge and skills as well as a commitment to the highest standards of ethical and professional practice in serving the philanthropic sector. Two staff members are Certified Public Accountants (CPA). Other professional staff members hold advanced educational degrees and certifications in financial planning.
Foundation board members reflect the voice of the community while the foundation’s goals and programs support student access to Clark College’s educational programs and services.
About the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)
The Council for Advancement and Support of Education is a professional association
serving educational institutions and the advancement professionals who work on behalf
in alumni relations, communications, development, marketing and allied areas.
CASE membership includes nearly 3,400 colleges and universities, primary and secondary
independent and international schools, and nonprofit organizations in 59 countries.
With headquarters in Washington, D.C. and offices in London and Singapore, CASE has
nearly 22,000 professional members and serves more than 61,500 advancement professionals
on the staffs of member institutions.
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