Giving & Foundation

The Kirkwood Foundation

Since 1969, the Kirkwood Foundation has ceaselessly raised funds to support students through education and training. We provide resources that are not typically supported by taxes, tuition, or other funding sources.

Our vision is to be a model for excellence in fundraising, scholarship administration, alumni relations, and investment stewardship. 

The Foundation is a nonprofit, tax exempt corporation.

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About the Kirkwood Foundation

The Kirkwood Foundation has one of the largest community college scholarship programs in the country, along with total assets of $65 million as of June 2023 — including $61 million in investments.  

The Foundation supports Kirkwood events, as well as staff and faculty development such as the Endowed Faculty Chair program, Annual Endowed Lecture series, and Estate Planning for Employees seminars.

Students who received Kirkwood scholarships were more than two times as likely to graduate in three years (the required federal reporting period) as those not receiving scholarships according to a study conducted by the college’s Office of Institutional Effectiveness.   

The Foundation has inducted more than 400 members into the Samuel J. Kirkwood Society, comprised of individuals who have either created a planned gift or endowed their gift to Kirkwood, KCCK-FM, or the Older Iowans Fund.

There are more than 200 members in the President's Circle, made up of donors who make a minimum cash gift of $1,000 to the Foundation each fiscal year, July 1 to June 30.

In 2023, the Foundation introduced the Bricklayer Society. Kirkwood's premiere cumulative giving society, the Bricklayer Society honors donors whose contributions have accumulated to $100,000 or more. Collectively, these donors form a strong cornerstone on which Kirkwood flourishes today.

The Kirkwood Foundation



Ways to Give

You can make a secure online gift to support Kirkwood Community College, KCCK-FM, or the Older Iowans Fund through our secure online site or by downloading a donation form.  

Kirkwood employees can donate as part of the Employee Giving Campaign or by filling out a payroll deduction form. Alumni & Friends of Kirkwood can make personalized donations and get updates on how their dollars are being used in service of Kirkwood’s mission.  

The Kirkwood Foundation is grateful for your gifts in the form of:  

  • Cash, check, or credit card  
  • Appreciated assets (stocks, bonds, and mutual fund distributions)  
  • Personal property (art, automobiles, and equipment)  
  • A planned gift, such as bequest, charitable gift annuity, charitable remainder trust, charitable lead trust, real estate, and retirement plan

For more planned giving information or bequest language, visit https://kirkwood.giftlegacy.com/.


How to Allocate Your Gift

Donors who give to a permanently endowed fund at a qualified Iowa community foundation are eligible to receive a 25% state tax credit for their gift. Gifts may be designated to benefit the Kirkwood Foundation. Gifts can be allocated as: 

  • Unrestricted contributions, which go to the area of greatest need for  student support
  • Restricted contributions for a specific area in the college, such as a departmental, named, or endowed scholarship fund
  • Named gifts to establish a new scholarship, you can establish one with a $1,000 gift
  • Endowed scholarships support students or programs in perpetuity at an average of 5% annually and can be established with a $15,000 gift.  

Contact the Foundation

319-398-5442
foundation@kirkwood.edu

The Kirkwood Foundation
6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

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