The Academic Enrichment Fund Campaign (AEF) is an annual appeal for private charitable support to provide the extra resources necessary for academic scholarships and program enhancements. This campaign, conducted during the month of March, is carried out as a direct mail solicitation of college vendors, previous donors and potential new donors.
The letter sent out in the direct mail campaign is written by the campaign co-chairs. They share their reasons for involvement and the importance of supporting Barton Community College. Each letter also contains a donation form, so donors may designate how they wish their gift to be used (scholarships, a specific department, endowments etc.). If no designation is indicated the funds go into the general fund of the AEF and are used as previously mentioned for scholarship and program enhancements. Many of the donors who support annually funded scholarships use the AEF Campaign as the vehicle for those donations. Although this campaign is the focus of philanthropic giving for the month of March, donations and pledges are received for an entire year, giving the donor flexibility as to when they wish to make their donation. Our campaign committee set the financial goal for this year at $40,000 but more importantly than the goal is to let our friends donate whatever amount they want. It is a proven fact each dollar has an important impact in the results. Many people are under the assumption you have to give a large amount to be an important donor to our Foundation or to leave a legacy, but that is a misconception; dollars and desires add up to make good things happen for other people.
The AEF offers life changing opportunities that will impact the lives of Barton students and therefore impact the communities they will serve in the future. Please consider this opportunity to contribute to a student's success by contacting Coleen Cape at (620) 786-1136 or capec@bartonccc.edu. You may also complete and return our contribution form.
Listen to Coleen Cape and Jan Westfall on Cougar Pause:
2021 AEF Campaign Chair - Jan Westfall
Story by Joe Vinduska
Courtesy photo submitted
Great Bend native and Barton alum Jan Westfall is the 2021 AEF Campaign chair. She saved hard to go to school and soaked up the college experience back in 1972 in the college’s early years. During her freshman year, her father became ill. The faculty and staff were as caring back then as they are now and helped her through the tough times.
She chose to be the campaign chair because she reaped the benefits of higher education at Barton and wanted to help give that opportunity to others.
“Now that I am on the Foundation Board of Directors, I have come to fully realize how important scholarships are to those who dream of an education and how important it is that we assist them in meeting their goals,” she said. “It is my pleasure to serve as the 2021 Academic Enrichment Fund Chair. The funds generated by our donor’s generosity fuels the dreams, ambitions and imagination of students. During these times and with the rising cost of education, they need help to succeed. Please join me as we support and promote educational opportunities that will enhance the lives of our students. Your gift will be a blessing that our students will cherish for a lifetime.”
Westfall said donating to this campaign is designed to be simple and easy. Potential donors will receive a mailing with a return envelope and a simple form to donate. Contributions are also accepted online.
“If you have given in the past, thank you very much for your support and generosity,” she said. “If you have not given, please make this your first year to participate. While it is outstanding to receive large donations, small ones, when added together, make a significant difference in a student’s life. Given what I know about the psychology of a giving, generous heart, you will also benefit from this kind contribution. Please know that your contribution, regardless of amount, may be the donation that changes a life...which changes another life…which changes another…”