Illinois Valley Community College is celebrating a successful year-long campaign to raise funds for a new agricultural center by carrying that momentum forward into a second phase that invites broader support from the community with expanded levels of giving opportunities.

“I am excited to share that through the generosity of more than 60 donors, we have reached our primary Ag Forward goal of $2.5 million. This support has been critical to meet the unmet need as the result of escalating construction costs for the Dr. Alfred E. Wisgoski Agricultural Education Center,” Executive Director of the Foundation Tracy Beattie said.

Funds raised by the College through donations from early supporters, businesses, and community partners, combined with federal and state grants, covered a portion of the construction costs, with the College expecting to supply the balance through its reserve funds.

The newest campaign phase, Growing Together for Our Future, will help to reduce reliance on reserves while helping the College maintain the fiscal stability that has been its hallmark during a century of operation.

“The current estimate is that about $1.8 million will still be needed to cover building costs, but lessening the impact on those reserves will allow IVCC to continue to improve facilities throughout campus,” IVCC President Dr. Tracy Morris said.

All funds raised in the second phase of the campaign will help mitigate the escalated construction costs and all will be used directly for the building project.

Extending the campaign will also allow the community to continue to be a part of this legacy project with expanded levels of giving, Dr. Morris noted. “We truly appreciate the community's support of the Dr. Alfred E. Wisgoski Agricultural Education Center and our Foundation Campaigns. We look forward to this next phase where we Grow Together for Our Future.”

To learn more about the Dr. Alfred E. Wisgoski Agricultural Education Center and the IVCC Foundation fundraising effort, visit www.ivcc.edu/agforward or contact Beattie at 815-224-0550.