Today, Ivy Tech Community College Northeast announced its Dream Big capital campaign, which is moving into a public phase after being in a silent phase for the last five years. The campaign’s overall goal is $46.9 million, and during its final five years, Dream Big plans to raise the final $9 million to support student success and academic program development.

Every academic program at Ivy Tech Northeast is slated to benefit from Dream Big; however, the campaign places a strong emphasis on three academic areas that will greatly serve and enhance northeast Indiana’s workforce: Hospitality Administration (culinary arts), Advanced Manufacturing, and Healthcare.

The three areas alone represent an estimated 75 percent of the funds to be raised. The campaign will also benefit student success and engagement, Early Childhood Education, and Liberal Arts & Sciences.

“The Dream Big campaign was created in an effort to align the College’s goals with the needs of our community,” says Oliver Barie, executive director of Resource Development, which oversees the capital campaign. “Now more than ever, Ivy Tech Northeast will serve as a critical tool in the development of our local workforce, the region’s plan for economic growth, and our quality of place.”

The Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership’s Road to One Million program is encouraging business growth in the region, and Ivy Tech Northeast intends to provide the pavement, says Jerrilee Mosier, chancellor of Ivy Tech Northeast.

“We understand the needs of our community, and this campaign is about ensuring we can meet those needs today, as well as 10 years from now,” Mosier says. “The funds raised from the Dream Big campaign will allow us to build a higher educational institution for the future, ensuring the success of our youth, our workforce, and ultimately our community, for many years to come.”

Of the nearly $38 million raised thus far, $24 million came through a partnership with the City of Fort Wayne through Public Safety Academy: Ivy Tech South Campus. More than $9 million has been raised through grants from private foundations and government organizations, and more than $3 million has been raised in cash/pledges, gifts-in-kinds, and planned estate gifts.

Of the remaining $9 million, the campaign will seek

· $3.9 million in planned estate gifts

· $2.5 million in cash/pledges

· $1.4 million through gifts-in-kind

· $1.2 million in grants

The campaign is scheduled to close at the end of 2020.

The College has assembled a campaign committee made up of local community leaders who recognize the importance of higher education and have pledged their support to Ivy Tech Northeast and the Dream Big campaign:

· Greg Stephens, Frontier Communications

· Angela Garcia, Carson Boxberger

· James Johnston, Fort Wayne National Bank

· Douglas Wood, PNC Bank

· Mark Hagerman, Hagerman Construction

· Tim Borne, Asher Agency

· Martin Palmer, Auburn Gear

· Dr. Robert and Sue Dettmer, Ivy Tech Northeast Regional Board of Trustees

· David and Mary Bear, JB Tool & Die

· Marc Levy, Questa Foundation

· Ron and Mary Bonar, Ivy Tech Northeast

· Merland Beyler, Ivy Tech Northeast

· Janet Geib, Ivy Tech Northeast

To learn more about giving opportunities through the Dream Big campaign at Ivy Tech Northeast, visit obarie or 260-480-2010.