Los Rios thinking big with new fundraising drive

The Los Rios Community College District announced Tuesday a $19 million fundraising campaign to benefit American River, Cosumnes River, Folsom Lake and Sacramento City colleges.

"This is one of the most exciting projects we have undertaken," said Los Rios Chancellor Brice Harris.

It also represents the district's first leap into a major fundraising operation, once the domain of big-name universities with billion-dollar endowments.

The Los Rios charitable foundation had previously raised $8 million since 1978, collecting donations for things such as book scholarships for needy students.

Now Los Rios is thinking bigger -- a performing arts center for touring acts at Folsom Lake College and a culinary arts building with a large, student-run restaurant at American River College.

"It's allowing us to develop a culture of philanthropy," said Sandy Kirschenmann, vice chancellor of resource development at the Los Rios district. "The stature of community colleges has risen in a lot of people's minds."

Los Rios is the second-largest community college district in the state, with nearly 80,000 students.

The district already has seen a flurry of construction activity on its campuses, thanks to a $265 million bond measure that local voters approved in 2002. Statewide voters also approved a $10.4 billion bond measure in November for improvements to education buildings; $47 million has gone to Los Rios.

The new donations Los Rios is seeking will help add to or provide funding for projects not eligible for bond money, Kirschenmann said.

The campaign, called "Building Careers with Distinction," is centered around popular programs on the Los Rios campuses. The district quietly began its fundraising drive two years ago. With $10 million already raised, it hopes to reach the $19 million goal within another two years.

Los Rios -- and other community colleges -- still have a lot of work to catch up to four-year schools in the fundraising department.

Colleges and universities received $28 billion in donations last year, according to the Council for Aid to Education. In fiscal 2005, public research universities saw an average of $60 million in donations, compared to $1.4 million for two-year institutions.

"The community colleges are asking, 'Where's our piece?' " said Donald Summers, a fundraising consultant for colleges and universities.

Summers, who is not involved in the Los Rios campaign, said community colleges have been talking more about ratcheting up their fundraising operations -- if they exist at all.

"We've been hit by Harvard every six weeks to contribute to their endowment," said Sacramento developer Mike Winn, who attended the Ivy League school.

But two-year colleges are much more engaged in the community, he said.

Along with his brothers, Peter and Tom, the Winns pledged $1 million for a new building at Cosumnes River College for the construction management and architecture program.

Mike Winn said there's "huge demand" for jobs in his business.

"We're reliant more and more on out-of-area trained people, or even out-of-county," he said. "This would be a nice chance for Sacramento area kids ... to get a leg up in the local industry."

About the writer:

• The Bee's Eric Stern can be reached at (916) 321-1048 or estern@sacbee.com.