Lower Columbia College Exceptional & Foundation Grants
The Lower Columbia College Foundation provides two types of grants to LCC employees each year. These grants support projects that promote student learning or develop services that enhance student learning in alignment with the college’s Mission Areas.
Projects should emphasize innovative approaches to teaching and learning and may relate to existing or new programs, courses, or services. Grant applications are typically accepted during the spring quarter for use in the following academic year. Funds must be expended within a one-year period, typically by June 30.
Exceptional Faculty Grant
- Available to: Full-time and part-time faculty
- Approved by: Exceptional Faculty Grant Committee
- Bylaws: Exceptional Faculty Grant Bylaws
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Submission: Applications are submitted through JotForm, and statements of support from Deans/Directors/Managers are collected within the form as part of the submission process.
Foundation Grant
- Available to: Full-time and part-time faculty and staff
- Approved by: Foundation Board of Directors
- Note: Foundation Grants may not be available every year
- Submission: Applications are submitted through JotForm, and statements of support from Deans/Directors/Managers are collected within the form as part of the submission process.
Application Process:
Grant Applications are open until April 30, 2026!
Important Information from Information Services: When proposing a technology-related project, please contact David Wallis as soon as possible. This will give us enough time to find equipment that is compatible with college systems, search state contracts, collect price quotes, etc.
Tip: don't request brand-specific products, e.g., iPads. Instead, submit a proposal for mobile devices because technology is continually changing. Thank you!
The Red Devil Wellbeing Program Grant - $2,500
The Red Devil Wellbeing Program supports a variety of wellness activities and initiatives designed to promote the health and wellbeing of LCC faculty, staff, and students. The program offers accessible “low ask” opportunities that encourage participants to move more, nourish their bodies, refresh their minds, and build connections across campus.
Activities may include wellness events, educational sessions, and programs focused on physical health, mental health, financial wellness, and community engagement. The initiative aims to help the campus community manage stress, improve overall well-being, and foster a stronger sense of connection and belonging.
By promoting a healthier and more engaged campus culture, the program supports LCC’s mission by contributing to the personal and professional success of students and employees while strengthening the overall well-being of the college community.
Student Ambassadors Program Grant - $15,000
The Student Ambassadors Program provides LCC students with opportunities to develop leadership and professional skills while supporting recruitment and student success efforts across campus. Student ambassadors assist with campus tours, admissions and onboarding support, FAFSA/WASFA and scholarship applications, school visits, and outreach events.
Through peer-to-peer engagement, ambassadors help prospective and current students navigate the college process while building meaningful connections that support recruitment and retention. Ambassadors also represent LCC at high school visits, college fairs, FAFSA and scholarship nights, and community events.
The program benefits both student employees, who gain valuable career and communication skills, and the broader LCC community by strengthening outreach efforts and improving access to college resources for students throughout the region.
Summer Open House & Career Pathways Showcase Grant - $1,930
This grant supported the 2024 Summer Open House and Career Pathways Showcase, a community event held on campus on August 1, 2024, designed to promote college enrollment and connect prospective students with LCC programs and services. The event welcomed over 200 attendees, many of whom explored campus resources and spoke with faculty about academic and career opportunities.
The event featured faculty demonstrations from several Career Pathways programs, along with real-time assistance for admissions, onboarding, financial aid, and registration. These hands-on experiences allowed prospective students to learn more about LCC’s programs while beginning their enrollment process.
Grant funding was used to provide catering for the event. LCC Food Services created a popular “walkin’ taco” meal option, which helped attract attendees and encouraged them to stay longer to engage with faculty, staff, and program demonstrations. Through this event, LCC strengthened community engagement while helping prospective students take the first steps toward their educational goals.
The Lower Columbia College Jazz Festival Grant- $5,000
The Jazz Festival was a two-day on-campus event. This festival introduced a new community to LCC, featuring twelve regional band programs from middle schools, high schools, and colleges. It also attracted professional artists from the region and beyond, as well as members of the general public who attended the performances and clinics. The LCC Jazz Festival directly supported LCC's mission by inspiring local students to achieve success in creative endeavors and fostering personal development within a communal context.
What kinds of projects do grants typically fund? Here are just a few examples:
Exceptional Faculty Grants
Replace outdated computers by purchasing new computers to support Learning Commons team members to better serve students, making the check-out process easier for students checking out books, Chromebooks, headsets and to reserve materials, study rooms, and to make appointments with tutors quickly and more efficiently.
The Standard Patient Encounter project provides simulated opportunities for students in the Medical Office Administration program to interact with clients during a clinical experience by working with actors who simulate patients with symptoms and the experiences related. This work is limited to case management of simulated health inventories, electronic health records, and patient advocacy. This program expands student healthcare administration skills, integrates knowledge of lectures and classroom learning with practice situations, provides clinical encounters through verbal, written and video feedback, emphasizes the importance of establishing a caring, trusting and sensitive environment to help with real-world experiences of healthcare professionals. Twenty-one encounters were conducted over a nine-week period.
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$10,000 was spent to replace broken/damaged low-fidelity manikins in the skills lab which are used by students to practice various nursing skills in preparation for providing patient care in the clinical setting.
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Other funding was used for faculty development programs such as the accreditation process and developing a program self-study and other nursing faculty education program opportunities.
Foundation Grants
Hosted by LCC’s Professional and Continuing Education department in partnership with Cowlitz Economic Development Council of Governments was funded by the LCC Foundation. Three training opportunities were provided including Finding your Target Market; Developing Marketing Material; SWOT Analysis & Goal Setting. This instructor led program offered participants one-on-one coaching sessions.
The Spanish CLEP Exam for Spanish Proficient LCC students grant allowed up to twenty Spanish speaking students the opportunity to take a free Spanish CLEP exam and earn up to 15 LCC Spanish credits. 19 students benefited from the testing with 15 of those earning a total of 195 Spanish credits.
The Outreach Student Ambassador program makes it possible to expand the outreach team and include the student voice and experience as we recruit and engage the future students of LCC. This grant funding has made it possible to feature a team of student employees who help plan programs, events, and activities relevant to the student experience as we welcome students to our campus for the first time, all the way thru providing support and success tips during finals week.
The Athletics Study Table Grant supported 55 student athletes. This program creates an accountability web that supports the transition from high school to college. College athletes commit to rigorous schedules on and off the field/court. This program helps ensure that student athletes have resources they need to accomplish coursework tasks on time with support of a supervisor that oversees the program. Grade checks are sent to coaches on a regular basis help keep students progressing in their studies while managing their time between school, sports, and other commitments.
This grant helped fund activities for the Red Devil Wellbeing program by providing opportunities that bring our campus community together and focus on the well-being of staff, faculty and students. Wellness helps to create a positive impact on students and their experience at LCC.