Impact

Fueling excellence

YEAR IN REVIEW

DEAR FRIENDS,

I am proud to share this compilation of stories highlighting the impact of giving during the 2023-24 academic year at Colorado College.

This was a year of momentous change, challenge, and opportunity for CC — and our community rose to the occasion. We made strides in access and affordability; fostered career preparedness and community engagement; significantly expanded mental health resources on campus; and implemented meaningful programs that advance our commitment to antiracism.

These achievements were bolstered by the generosity of donors across the CC community — namely, the more than 6,700 alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff, and friends of the college who chose to give to CC this year. Together, you contributed over $30 million to support the immediate and long-term needs of the college and its students.

In February of this year, the college announced it had received the largest cash gift in its history – $18 million, from the estate of the late William “Bill” Clement ’42. In total, $16 million is being invested into the endowment for financial aid, creating a lasting foundation of support for students who might otherwise be unable to attend CC. $2 million was dedicated to establishing the Clement Challenge, an annual giving match campaign enabling donors to double their impact in priority areas including financial aid, mental health and wellness, ADEI, sustainability, and student opportunities. I am inspired by Mr. Clement’s remarkable generosity, which will impact CC students and the college for generations to come.

Importantly, I want to share my gratitude for every donor and every gift. Philanthropy at all levels not only helps the college meet pressing needs and priorities, but also makes innovation possible in programs and initiatives like our inaugural Mattel Career Catalyst Block, our reimagined Social Action Institute, and our expanded CC Elevate first-year experience which prepares students for success while they are at CC and well beyond graduation. With your support, we hope to expand their reach in the years to come.

I am honored to be your Interim President for the next two years, though my vision is focused on the next 150 years. I am prioritizing institutional strength, which includes supporting our people and laying the groundwork for a sustainable future for the college. I am also committed to reclaiming the liberal arts — reminding the world of the purpose and value of what we offer and showcasing the unique strengths of our graduates. I look forward to collaborating with the CC community to advance these areas in the year ahead.

Thank you, once again, for everything you do for CC.

With deep appreciation,

Manya Whitaker
Interim President

TRANSFORMING LIVES TOGETHER

When you give to Colorado College you empower student growth, fuel academic discovery, and fortify CC’s future. Every gift, no matter the size, creates a lasting impact on CC’s aspiring leaders, our dynamic campus, and thriving community. Simply put, the generosity of our supporters is truly fueling excellence.

In the 2023-2024 academic year, CC received the largest cash gift from an individual in the college’s history. William “Bill” Clement, a CC alum from the Class of 1942 left his alma mater an unrestricted gift of over $18 million. While the majority of his legacy gift ($16M) has been designated to support financial aid for CC students, $2 million was allocated to match donations made to the key annual fund priority areas below – carrying the spirit of Mr. Clement’s generosity forward to double the impact of other donors’ generosity. More about the Clement Challenge.

2023-24 Philanthropy at a Glance

Total Giving: $30.3M
Total Unique Donors: 6,736
First Time Donors: 1,707
Total Giving – Annual Fund: $2.5M
Annual Fund Unique Donors: 2,806
Median Donor Contribution: $100
% of CC Seniors Who Donated: 37%
Total Value of Gifts Under $5,000: $1.6M

KEY AREAS SUPPORTED BY THE ANNUAL FUND

FINANCIAL AID

When access to CC is limited, so is the richness of the learning environment. Support for financial aid ensures more students can benefit from the unique learning experience CC provides regardless of their socioeconomic status. READ MORE »

“I am extremely grateful for all of the financial aid that Colorado College has provided me and my family in the 2023-2024 school year, and their generous offer for this upcoming school year. Without this aid and the various ways CC has supported me, like the Bridge Scholars Program, I would not have been able to attend any college last year.” – Current CC Student

Financial Aid Impact Snapshot

In FY24, the annual payout to Financial Aid from CC’s endowment was $16.8M (39% of the total endowment payout of $42.7M).
886 students received need-based awards, with an average award of $56,758.
In Fall 2023, CC enrolled 47 first-generation students and provided them with need-based aid, bringing the total number of first-generation students receiving need-based aid on campus to 135.
Merit aid, which is based on a student’s achievements and merits rather than financial need, was awarded to 140 students with an average award of $7,557.
In Fall 2023, 234 students received a Pell Grant – the largest federal grant program for undergraduates, aimed at supporting students from low-income households.

Elevated view of Cutler Hall (a light stone building with a centered bell tower), in front of trees, campus buildings, and a background of mountains.

MENTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS

To provide our students with an exceptional liberal arts education and equip them with the skills to thrive and habits for a healthy life, it is essential that our entire community—students, staff, and faculty—learn, work, and live in an environment that promotes mental wellness. READ MORE »

Mental Health and Wellness Impact Snapshot

A new AVP of Wellness position was created to lead the vision, strategy, execution, and management of CC’s holistic wellness initiatives for students, faculty, and staff.
In 2024, CC earned the Healthy Minds designation from the State of Colorado for the first time.
The Wellness Resource Center offered a new group-based intervention called the Body Project, designed to help students confront unrealistic appearance standards and build healthy body image and self-esteem.
Provided 2,772 counseling sessions for over 500 students.
Welcomed 1,690 peer mentor training participants.
Trained 1,840 individuals in health promoting practices (alcohol & drug awareness, opioid overdose response, sexual health topics).

ADEI

CC’s Antiracism Commitment Committee (ACC) continues to play a vital role in our institutional advancement by driving progress on ADEI initiatives and overseeing the implementation of a dedicated strategic plan focused on three actionable themes: designing infrastructure, building capacity, and cultivating a thriving community. READ MORE »

The ACC consists of students, staff, and faculty working together to dismantle systems of oppression, foster belonging, and create equitable environments.

ADEI IMPACT SNAPSHOT

CC was honored as a national recipient of the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award in October 2023 – the first in CC history. 
The Social Action Institute provides students the opportunity to learn skills to engage in activist work and explore career possibilities in advocacy through a 6-week program with partner sites in Texas, Colorado, and the Southwest.
CC created a safe-haven initiative called the Healing and Affirming Village and Empowerment Network, or HAVEN, for any student wanting to leave institutions of higher education in a state passing anti-DEI legislation. Four students have enrolled through the program so far. CC was selected to present the model at the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in May for other schools to replicate.
Facilitated trainings and workshops for over 1,000 CC community members, with students trained through a unique and innovative Peer Educator Program.
Offered nearly 20 workshops on topics such as antiracism, self-assessment, equity in hiring practices, implicit bias, and power & privilege for over 250 faculty and staff.

Three college students at an arts table. Center figure is holding a cloth and needle and thread.

A bearded student in a hat squats down with pen and notebook in hand in front of plants. Other students stand in the background.

SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability at CC goes beyond a concept – it’s a principle that permeates every aspect of our community. We integrate environmental responsibility and stewardship into our academic programs, campus operations, and community outreach, empowering our students and faculty to lead by example. READ MORE »

“During my internship, I gained valuable skills and knowledge that I can apply beyond CC. Learning how to collect, interpret, organize, and enter data into SIMAP, a sustainability management tool. I also developed the ability to plan and organize timelines for data collection, communicate effectively with institutional stakeholders, and ensure data accuracy. These experiences have equipped me with the skills… which are transferable to various roles requiring data analysis, project management, and communication skills.” – Tam Phan ’25 Emissions Intern

SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT SNAPSHOT

The Annual Fund for Sustainability supports programs like Sense of Place trips, where students explore challenges through hands-on exploration and thoughtful innovation. The Colorado Water Tour for example, deepens students’ connection to our environment to foster a greater understanding and appreciation for our region’s unique resource opportunities and challenges.
Funding to support student employee and internship programs within the Office of Sustainability continues to provide mutual benefits—students gain valuable experience that enhances their classroom learning and career preparation, while the campus and community are bettered by their contributions to sustainability efforts.
Students help ensure transparency and accountability for institutional sustainability commitments through data collection and reporting, implementation of sustainability programming and educational initiatives across campus, enhancement of waste diversion on campus through the CC Exchange program, and communications efforts to raise awareness and engagement of initiatives across campus.
20 participants annually take the 3-day, 2-night Sense of Place Trip (Colorado Water Tour).
16 paid internships dedicated to sustainability programs were made possible by donor support.
Over 10,000 lbs of e-waste were saved from landfills through our 4 e-waste drop-off events.
The Plant Library Program was launched with two plant exchange pop-up events hosted last year.
CC Exchange welcomed 1,142 visitors, marking a 27% increase from the previous year receiving 1,404 lbs of donated clothing, shoes, and other items.

STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES

Every student should be able to take part in the unique opportunities available as part of the CC experience. From research grants, field studies, and internships – these outside the classroom opportunities make up some of the fondest memories and most impactful learning experiences for CC students. READ MORE »

STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES IMPACT SNAPSHOT

The Academic Support Orientation (ASO) program was developed to ensure all first-year students, regardless of background, understand how to access and benefit from academic support services. The program was featured in Inside Higher Ed.
The CC Elevate program, a partnership between the First-Year Program, Career Center, and the Advising Hub, expanded significantly, increasing sessions from two to five and enrollment from 21 to 80 students. The program is designed to help students transition to and through their first two years at CC.
The Collaborative for Community Engagement (CCE) created an Access to Engagement Fund aimed at lowering barriers to community engagement (such as transportation costs and background checks).
Twenty students and two professors were able to participate in the innovative, newly launched Mattel Career Catalyst Block mid-year, after normal aid had been expended.
Faculty were empowered to develop new “blocks away,” expanding the range of opportunities for students. A recent example being Postcolonial Impacts of the British Empire in Kenya with Prof. Alberto Hernandez-Lemus where students spent part of their summer in Kenya engaging with Masaai people and villages.
$348,200 in summer internship funding was awarded to 108 students.
A new campus-wide mentoring program was launched, benefiting 90 student mentees.
98,300 full-time and 14,748 part-time job and internship opportunities were made available via the Handshake platform.
Over 90 students received aid for study abroad blocks in the 2023-2024 academic year with an additional 49 supported over the summer.

A group of college students stand together in front of the Mattel sign.

TOGETHER, WE FUEL EXCELLENCE

Your generosity is an investment in the future of CC and the lives of our students. Every gift, regardless of size, propels us forward, fuels new opportunities, and underscores the transformative power of a CC education.

As we look ahead to the next 150 years, we do so with gratitude and optimism. The impact of your support is evident in the vibrant student experiences, innovative programs, and sustained institutional excellence you’ve helped create. We are excited to continue building on this momentum, together, for generations to come.

“THE WORLD NEEDS TO KNOW”

Read more about how CC, our faculty, students, and alumni are having significant impact in the world.