Make a Donation
Gifts at every level have a direct impact on Kirkwood students. Thanks to generous donors like you, the Kirkwood Foundation facilitates $3.4 million in scholarships annually to help students get a college education.
Learn how you can make a donation and explore how you can get involved with the Kirkwood Foundation.
Types of Gifts
Types of contributions to Kirkwood can include:
- Cash, check, or credit card. Click here to download a printable donation form.
- Appreciated assets such as stocks, bonds, and mutual fund distributions
- Personal property such as 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/.
Gift Designations
- Unrestricted contributions to the area of greatest need for student support.
- Restricted contributions to a specific area in the college such as a departmental, named, or endowed scholarship fund.
- Named gifts to establish a new scholarship.
- An annual scholarship can be established with a $1,000 gift.
- An endowed scholarship can be established with a $25,000 gift. Your investment will support students or programs in perpetuity at an average of 5% annually.
For each of these students, Kirkwood Foundation scholarships provided critical support that helped them reach their goals.
- A struggling single mother achieved her dream to become a nurse.
- An aspiring engineer, impressed by the faculty he met on his first visit, enrolled in the Electronics Engineering Technology program and discovered his ideal career path.
- A young mother enrolled after her job was eliminated and Kirkwood prepared her to earn the prestigious Pearson Prize given annually to only 20 business students across the country.
Stories like these are written every day at Kirkwood Community College and you can help create more.
Kirkwood Foundation is one of the largest community college scholarship programs in the country with more than $3.4 million in scholarships awarded annually to students from all walks of life.
Every Kirkwood student is eligible to apply and over $24 million has been awarded in the past 10 years.
We asked Kirkwood’s Office of Institutional Effectiveness to compare the graduation rates for Kirkwood scholarship recipients with graduation rates for Kirkwood students who did not receive scholarships.
The study looked at Kirkwood class cohorts starting in 2011, and the results were even more dramatic than we expected.
The Results
Students who receive Kirkwood scholarships are two times as likely to graduate in three years (the required federal reporting period) as students who did not receive scholarships. Scholarships = more success.
About the Kirkwood Foundation
All gifts to Kirkwood Community College are administered by the Kirkwood Foundation and are tax deductible to the extent provided by law. For more information, or if we can be of service to you in considering a gift to Kirkwood, please contact our staff.
| Jody Pellerin, CFRE | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Title: | Vice President, Advancement – Kirkwood Community College Executive Director – Kirkwood Foundation |
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| Phone: | 319-398-5409 | |||||
| Email: | jody.pellerin@kirkwood.edu | |||||
| Bio: | Jody Pellerin joined the Kirkwood Foundation in 2017 as the director of planned and endowed giving. In 2020, she became vice president of advancement for Kirkwood Community College. In this role, she serves as executive director of the Kirkwood Foundation and leads the initiatives to provide private sector resources for the college. She works closely with the Foundation board and college leadership to carry out the vision, mission, and strategies of the Kirkwood Foundation. Prior to joining Kirkwood, Jody served as the executive director of the Xavier High School Foundation from 2004 to 2017, and director of public support for the American Red Cross, Grant Wood Area Chapter, from 1998 to 2004. Jody earned her bachelor of arts degree from the University of Iowa and she received her Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) certification in 2001. Jody is a member of the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Cedar Rapids Estate Planning Council, Eastern Iowa Planned Giving Council and the Cedar Rapids Downtown Rotary. Previous community involvement includes past president of the Eastern Iowa Planned Giving Council, and served as a board member of the following; Old Creamery Theatre, Eastern Iowa Chapter of AFP and Cedar Rapids Daybreak Rotary. She is a 2009 graduate of Leadership for Five Seasons and was named one of the Corridor Business Journal’s Forty under 40 in 2006. | |||||
| Jody Donaldson | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Title: | Director of Advancement | |||||
| Phone: | 319-398-7186 | |||||
| Email: | jody.donaldson@kirkwood.edu | |||||
| Bio: | Jody Donaldson joined the Kirkwood Foundation in 2005. She oversees the annual awarding process of over $3 million in scholarship gifts and enthusiastically works to reconnect and share the Kirkwood spirit with the college’s 75,000+ alumni. She is a graduate of Kirkwood Community College, Upper Iowa University, and Iowa State University, and a graduate of the Leadership for Five Seasons Class of 2011. Jody serves as an adjunct instructor for the Business and Information Technology department teaching Introduction to Marketing and Introduction to Business. Jody is a strong advocate for philanthropy and volunteerism. She currently serves as The Arc of East Central Iowa Board President, CASE Commission on Alumni Relations, CASE District VI Board of Directors, CASE Community College Advisory Board, Adult Accelerated Advisory board, Economic Alliance Leadership for Five Seasons Advisory Board, and Day Chair, Association of Fundraising Professionals, and Iowa Snowdrifters. | |||||
| Tresa Wandrey | ||||||
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| Title: | Advancement Services Officer | |||||
| Phone: | 319-398-5457 | |||||
| Email: | tresa.wandrey@kirkwood.edu | |||||
| Bio: | Tresa joined the Kirkwood Foundation team in 2012. In her role as the advancement services officer, Tresa is responsible for the comprehensive management of the donor database, gift recording and acknowledgement, and reporting. She also serves as the liaison between the Foundation and the college’s finance department for operational and financial matters. Tresa is a graduate of Coe College. | |||||
| Alison Robinson | ||||||
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| Title: | Scholarship & Annual Fund Officer | |||||
| Phone: | 319-398-4943 | |||||
| Email: | alison.robinson@kirkwood.edu | |||||
| Bio: | Alison Robinson joined the Kirkwood Foundation in 2021 as scholarship and department coordinator. She moved to become the scholarship and annual fund officer in 2024, where her role involves promoting, managing, and awarding all scholarships, in addition to working with individual donors, corporations, organizations and foundations to establish new scholarships and raise annual funds for the college. Before joining the Kirkwood Foundation, Alison worked for 12 years in the Student Services division of Kirkwood Community College. Alison is also a Kirkwood alum, proudly earning her associate of arts degree before completing a bachelor of arts from the University of Iowa and her MBA from the University of Dubuque. Alison enjoys volunteering in the community through various organizations, is a Board of Trustee for the Hiawatha Public Library, and serves as sexton of the Greenhill Cemetery in northeast Iowa. Alison completed the Board Orientation and Leadership Development Program through United Way in 2022, was named as a Corridor Business Journal “40 Under 40” in 2022, and was a Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance Leadership for Five Seasons graduate of 2024. | |||||
| Eric Weiler, CFRE | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Title: | Major Gifts Officer | |||||
| Phone: | 319-398-1281 | |||||
| Email: | eric.weiler@kirkwood.edu | |||||
| Bio: | Eric joined the Kirkwood Foundation in 2008 as annual giving officer, working with individual donors, corporations, organizations and foundations to establish new scholarships and raise funds for college initiatives and departmental support. In 2020, Eric transitioned to major gifts officer where he cultivates, stewards, and solicits current and prospective major and endowed donors. He earned his associate degree from Southeastern (IA) Community College and his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Western Illinois University. He earned the CFRE fundraising credential in 2013. Eric is a graduate of the Cedar Rapids Leadership for Five Seasons Class of 2010 and the Iowa City Community Leadership Program Class of 2013. He was named to the Corridor Business Journal's “Forty Under 40” list in 2010 and received the Iowa City Area Chamber's Spark Leadership Award in 2016. Eric’s community involvement include current/past board roles with Iowa City Noon Rotary (president elect 2021-2022), Iowa City Area Business Partnership (past president- Empowered Professionals of Iowa City), United Way of Johnson County (campaign cabinet), Association of Fundraising Professionals Eastern Iowa Chapter, Johnson County I-Club, Kirkwood Keynotes Toastmasters, and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. | |||||
| Ashley Moore | ||||||
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| Title: | Alumni and Marketing Specialist | |||||
| Phone: | 319-398-5531 | |||||
| Email: | ashley.l.moore@kirkwood.edu | |||||
| Bio: | Ashley Moore joined the Kirkwood Foundation in 2022 as the alumni and marketing specialist. In this role, Ashley engages Kirkwood Alumni and Friends through events, publications, social media, and other outreach. Before joining the Kirkwood Foundation, Ashley spent eight years as event director at the Corridor Business Journal. Ashley is a proud Iowa native. She graduated from Southeastern (IA) Community College, achieving her associate degree before earning bachelor’s degrees in journalism and marketing from the University of Iowa. She was named one of the Corridor Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 in 2019, past president of the Empowered Professionals of the Iowa City Area (the Iowa City Area Business Partnership’s young professionals organization), and is a former Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteer. | |||||
| Jordan Eastburn | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Title: | Foundation and Finance Department Coordinator | |||||
| Phone: | 319-398-5899 ext. 5924 | |||||
| Email: | jordan.eastburn@kirkwood.edu | |||||
| Bio: | Jordan Eastburn joined the Kirkwood Foundation in 2024 as the department coordinator. With a bright, welcoming smile, she greets staff, donors, students, faculty, and community members, ensuring that everyone feels included and valued. Jordan provides essential support to both the Kirkwood Foundation and Finance Departments, where she completes various projects and manages everything from supply inventory and purchasing to coordinating critical Foundation Board meetings. She enjoys organizing projects, compiling reports, and delivering key communications, always ensuring that the details are handled with care. Jordan is passionate about creating an inclusive, welcoming environment and enjoys collaborating with others to champion service and excellence. Before joining the Kirkwood Foundation, she spent 6 years in the Student Services division of Kirkwood Community College, where she supported the Dean of Students Office as a department assistant. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa. | |||||
Anne Parmley
TrueNorth Companies, Director of Community Impact
Kirkwood Foundation Board President
Dennis Jordan
Alliant Energy, Director of Customer, Community and Economic Development for the State of Iowa
Kirkwood Foundation Board Vice President
Paul Morf
Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman PLC, Attorney
Kirkwood Foundation Board Secretary
Deborah J.L. Gertsen
Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust, Senior Vice President – Trust & Investments
Kirkwood Foundation Board Treasurer
Edmund Abodeely
Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., Financial Advisor
Melanie Abu-Nameh
Feedwell Kitchen and Bakery, Co-Owner
Barbara Allen
Allen & Rhea, PLC, CPA
Ed Anctil
Collins Aerospace, Director of Technology and Development
Anthony Arrington
Top RANK, Managing Partner
Arbe Bareis-Moyyad
Kirkwood Community College, Associate Professor
Tom Cilek
West Bank, Senior Vice President
Richard L. Ferguson
Retired, ACT
Teri Gibson
TrueNorth Companies, Benefits Advisor
Barry G. Goettsch, FACHE
Compass Memorial Healthcare, CEO
Elaine Harrington
Community Volunteer
Carissa Johnson
Johnson Marketing & Events
G. Richard Johnson
Retired, Rockwell Collins
Darice Keating
Renaissance Learning, Senior VP, Government Affairs
David Kehoe
Ohnward Bank & Trust, Market President
Roger Klouda
MSI Mold Builders, President
Ruthina Malone
University of Iowa Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Departmental Administrator
Chad Meyers
Transamerica, VP, Head of Internal Audit
James Mollenhauer
M & D Farms, Inc., President & Director
Dr. Clayton Parks
Parks, Schmit & Fuller Orthodontics, Orthodontist/Partner
Dr. Vincent Reid
Mercy Medical Center, Hall-Perrine Cancer Center Department of Onocologic Surgery, Medical Director
Pat Sauter
King’s Material, Inc., Vice President
Kent Statler
Retired, Collins Aerospace
Aaron Warner
ProCircular, CEO
Gene Wehrheim
The Wehrheim Group LLC, Chief Executive Officer
Leslie Wright
Prairiewood's Franciscan Spirituality Center, Director
Kirkwood Board of Trustees
Fast Facts About the Kirkwood Foundation
- Has total assets of $73 million as of June 2024, which includes $68 million in investments.
- Administers 400+ scholarship funds, including 200+ endowments.
- Has 400 members in 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.
- Has more than 200 members in the President's Circle, comprised of donors who make a minimum cash gift of $1,000 to the Foundation each fiscal year, July 1 to June 30.
- Has more than 80 members in the Bricklayer Society, comprised of donors whose contributions to the Foundation have accumulated to $100,000 or more.
- Supports Kirkwood events and staff and faculty development such as the Endowed Faculty Chair program, Annual Endowed Lecture Series, and Passport to Retirement seminars.
- Has facilitated $10 million in departmental program support and in-kinds gifts in the past ten years, enabling Kirkwood to maintain its tradition of excellence in the classroom.
The President’s Circle is comprised of friends and alumni who make a minimum cash gift of $1,000 to the Kirkwood Foundation each fiscal year (July 1 - June 30).
Your gift is an investment in the future of our community and will help support the students who are obtaining the skills needed to meet the challenges of our changing workplace.
The benefits of the President's Circle include:
- An annual invitation to a campus reception in May. Enjoy delicious hors d'oeuvres and great networking opportunities, meet the college leadership, and hear a featured student talk about how scholarships have impacted their life.
- Invitations to exclusive college events. Help us celebrate ribbon cuttings and the opening of new facilities.
- Recognition in the Kirkwood Foundation Annual Report and on the college website.
For questions on how to become a member of the President’s Circle, please contact:
Alison Robinson, Scholarship & Annual Fund Officer,
The Samuel J. Kirkwood Society is made up of individuals who support Kirkwood Community College, the Older Iowans Fund or KCCK-FM. They have either endowed their gift or created a planned gift through a charitable trust, charitable gift annuity, life insurance policy, bequest, or retirement plan designation.
Each fall, in the spirit of celebration and recognition, Samuel J. Kirkwood Society members are invited to the campus for a special dinner in their honor.
Join Us!
By joining the Samuel J. Kirkwood Society, you have created a legacy to live beyond your lifetime. Your gift indeed makes a difference to the college, our programs and services, and most of all, to our students.
For questions on how to become a member of the Samuel J. Kirkwood Society, contact:
Jody Pellerin, Executive Director
jody.pellerin@kirkwood.edu
319-398-5409
Introduced in 2023, the Bricklayer Society is Kirkwood's premier cumulative giving society. The Bricklayer Society honors donors whose contributions have accumulated to $100,000 or more.
On April 25, 1967, Kirkwood's Founding Board Chair, Bud Jensen, gave his now famous “Hands of the Bricklayer” speech to the Iowa Legislature in support of comprehensive community colleges. His words were instrumental in the passage of legislation allowing for the creation of the community college system in Iowa, transforming post-secondary education in our state.
Like our founders, each member of the Bricklayer Society has provided transformational support to Kirkwood and our students. Collectively, they form a strong cornerstone on which Kirkwood flourishes today.
For more information about the Bricklayer Society, contact:
Jody Pellerin, Executive Director
jody.pellerin@kirkwood.edu
319-398-5409
The Kirkwood Foundation also supports Kirkwood events and staff and faculty development such as the Endowed Faculty Chair program.
The Endowed Faculty Chair Program provides an opportunity for selected faculty to undertake professional development projects in their disciplines or in instructional pedagogy through writing, preparing and presenting a special lecture, conducting research, or pursuing other opportunities.
The emphasis is on personal and professional growth and is separate from assigned duties, routine work, or service to the department.
Get Involved
For more information about creating an Endowed Faculty Chair
in honor or memory of someone special, contact:
Jody Pellerin, Executive Director
jody.pellerin@kirkwood.edu
319-398-5409
The Kirkwood Foundation
6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
319-398-5442
foundation@kirkwood.edu