The Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor is continuing its longstanding commitment to helping Washtenaw Community College students achieve their educational goals, presenting the WCC Foundation with a $131,500 donation to support student scholarships.
The 2026 gift continues a remarkable stretch of growing financial support from the local philanthropic organization.
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WCC President Dr. Rose B. Bellanca expressed the college's appreciation during a luncheon that brought together Kiwanis Club members with some of the students they support.
"You are not simply funding scholarships. You are investing in possibility – giving students not only financial assistance, but also encouragement, confidence and the knowledge that their community believes in them," Bellanca said. "So today, as we celebrate another year of your generosity, I hope you know how deeply grateful we are."
The donation supports the Kiwanis Finish Line Scholarship, which helps students overcome financial barriers and stay on track toward completing their education.
The endowed scholarship covers tuition and books for a full academic year for full-time students, an approximate value of $3,500 annually. Recipients can renew the scholarship for up to three years by maintaining a 2.0 grade point average and making satisfactory progress toward completion.
In 2018, the Kiwanis Club designated the WCC Foundation as the sole recipient of its annual college scholarship budget. That first gift totaled $70,000, and the organization's annual contribution has increased every year since.
The club's history of supporting local students through college scholarships dates back to the early 1990s.
Approximately one-quarter of the funding comes from the Kiwanis Thrift Sale, located at 100 N. Staebler Road in Ann Arbor, off Jackson Road about one mile west of Zeeb Road. The remaining three-quarters comes from individual contributions by Kiwanis members, volunteers and other donors.
Together, those contributions help WCC students pursue their educational goals with fewer financial obstacles, extending the impact of the Kiwanis Club's generosity well beyond its annual gift.
Tags: Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor, Scholarships, WCC Foundation