From the Nominator

During the fall of 2018, the Portland Community College Foundation launched its annual faculty, staff, and retiree campaign, “Save A Seat.” The campaign highlighted the various ways the community can support PCC’s hardworking student population. By making a gift to fund scholarships, campus food pantries, or emergency grants, PCC employees and retirees allowed students to access the support needed to succeed. The campaign encouraged donors to “save a seat” so students could afford to learn, hunger wouldn’t hold them back, and setbacks wouldn’t slow them down. Employees and retirees know the immense challenges PCC students face, and this campaign allowed the community to come together and provide wraparound services to ensure equitable student success.

From the Judges

They know their strengths and the marketing materials play off of them. The campaign tagline, "Save a Seat," brings home the sense that, by coming together as a community, we can "save a seat" for a student who might otherwise have to drop out or may fail out due to unexpected expenses, food insecurity, or lack of financial support. The appeals came from student leadership and articulated how different monthly giving amounts could translate in a meaningful way to impact a student: everything from covering a utility bill to providing a scholarship. The graphics were beautiful and skillfully integrated as part of making the case for support. With a modest budget, this project was able to engage faculty, staff, and retirees in the life of the college in a meaningful way.