Madisonville Messenger

Madisonville Community College's Fulfilling the Promise fundraising campaign has nearly reached its goal, according to Advancement Director John Peters.

The campaign has raised $4.5 million in gifts and pledges -- 90 percent of the announced $5 million goal. The effort started in early 2002.

The campaign has received 30 gifts of at least $20,000, including six in the "lead" category, which is for gifts with a cumulative value of at least $100,000.

According to Peters, the $4.5 million total includes almost $2 million in pledges to scholarships -- including $600,000 to School Counts! -- and $1 million to support endowments and the annual friends fund at the Glema Mahr Center for the Arts.

Endowment investment at the college has increased to over $3.4 million as a result to the campaign, and $225,000 in interest income is now available annually to support scholarships, the arts center, technology and the Loman Trover Library.

The campaign's main community phases are expected to end by November, and Peters anticipates several major gift announcements in the next two months.

MCC officials hope to have $250,000 in annual endowment income by January 2006.