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Why support Jefferson?

As a college within the State University of New York system, Jefferson Community College’s operational budget is supported by state aid, county sponsor funding, and tuition revenue. Public funding allows Jefferson to provide an affordable, quality education; maintain small class size; recruit and retain quality faculty; and offer cutting-edge technology and facilities.

Private funding through the Jefferson Community College Foundation allows Jefferson to support student accessibility to post-secondary education and success through need-based and merit-based scholarships. Private support also allows us to grow innovative programs and expand campus resources and facilities. We work with donors to create opportunities for innovation in the classroom and in the area of student support services.

Thanks to our community’s generosity, the Jefferson Foundation provides more than 270 scholarships, nearing $300,000 in financial assistance each year to our students.

When you support Jefferson Community College, you are making a statement that you believe in the importance of quality, affordable education for all. You are creating new opportunities and new beginnings for students and our greater community.

Jefferson offers a variety options for making a gift to the College. We value our donors and appreciate each and every gift. Thank you!

How to make a one-time gift

We gratefully accept donations via credit card, cash or check. You choose how to designate your gift – in support of a scholarship, in memory of in honor of an individual, for a specific program or initiative, or unrestricted, meaning the College will apply the gift to the area of greatest need.

Online giving is often the easiest and most convenient way to make a gift. Simply fill out the secure online giving form and your gift will immediately be put to work!
If you prefer to make your gift over the phone or by mail, simply call (315) 786-2458 with your Mastercard, Visa, or Discover Card and mail with a check made payable to:

Jefferson Foundation
1220 Coffeen Street
Watertown NY 13601

Of course we love to meet our generous donors! If you prefer to make your gift in person, our office is located in the Lansing Administration Building and hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. – Friday a.m. except in June and July when we close on Fridays at 2:00 p.m.

Gifts through shopping online

Support Jefferson on AmazonSmile.org
Amazon will donate 0.5% of your purchase of eligible items when you log on, select the Jefferson Community College Foundation as your benefactor, and shop at https://smile.amazon.com/ch/23-7009906. It is just that easy!

Types of Gifts

There are many different types of giving. Please contact us when you are considering making a gift and we will help you plan your donation to the Foundation in a way that works best for you.

Memorial and Honorary Gifts

Your generosity can acknowledge someone close to you and create a lasting tribute. All honorary gifts are acknowledged to the honoree, or in the case of memorial gifts, family members are notified of memorial contributions.

Gifts that establish an endowment are an especially effective way to make an honorary or memorial donation, because that gift will live on in perpetuity. Many of Jefferson’s named scholarships are funded through endowments established to honor the memory of loved ones.

Bequests and Planned Giving

If you would like to leave a lasting gift to Jefferson through your estate plans, a bequest is a gift of any form made through your will. To make such a gift in support of Jefferson, it is recommended that the following language be utilized as part of your will:

"I give, devise and bequeath to the Jefferson Community College Foundation, Inc., Watertown, NY 13601, (percentage of, residue, sum, or description of property), the principal and income of which shall be used for (you may describe a specific purpose for the use of your bequest)."

Planned Giving - The McVean Legacy Society

Jefferson recognizes those who have chosen to honor the College with a planned gift with membership to the McVean Legacy Society.

By Stock Transfer

The Jefferson Foundation can accept gifts of securities. Your tax advisor and Foundation staff can provide you with additional information.

Other Gifts

Gifts of real estate, artwork, life insurance, collectables, books, and other items with instructional value can be of great benefit to the College. Specific IRS rules regulate this type of giving.

Donor Stewardship

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” John F. Kennedy

We recognize that your gift, at whatever level you are giving, is a significant contribution and Jefferson deeply values our supporters. To show you our gratitude, donor-focused stewardship is achieved at Jefferson Community College through stewardship activities including timely gift acknowledgement, donor recognition, and donor appreciation activities and events.

Gifts of $20,000 and above to any area of the College are acknowledged by a letter signed by the President of the College. Memorial or Honorary gifts are shared with identified family members and friends, however the amount of your gift will be kept strictly confidential. Official gift receipts are sent to all donors at any level of giving, along with an appropriate thank you.

Contributions at all levels are recognized by the College in our virtual donor wall. In addition, JCC offers special recognition for certain types of gifts through its leadership societies and naming opportunities.

Each year, we hosts several donor appreciation activities and events, such as the Paver Dedication ceremonies and the Scholars Reception, where scholarship sponsors are able to meet their student scholarship recipients.

Jefferson Community College Foundation

1220 Coffeen Street
Watertown, NY 13601
(315) 786-2458
[email protected]

Ben Foster
Interim Executive Director
(315) 786-2291
[email protected]

Leigh Curtacci
Account Clerk
(315) 786-2458
[email protected]