Be Part of a Statewide Movement and Support Community College Students

Each year, gifts of all sizes allow us to deliver on our mission of transforming students’ lives through high-quality education and training. As we approach Colorado Gives Day on Tuesday, December 10, we hope you will make a donation to the Foundation for Community Colleges.  

Transforming Lives: Sohan’s Story 

Sohan Lamsal’s dream of pursuing a career in computer science represents more than personal ambition—it’s a path to economic mobility for him and his parents, who made profound sacrifices to bring their family to the United States. 

Three years ago, Sohan’s family left their home in Nepal to start anew in Aurora, Colorado and the journey was anything but easy. “My parents sacrificed everything— property, financial security, and familiarity—to bring me and my brother here,” he said. “They moved to a country where they did not speak the language, did not know anyone, and had to navigate an entirely different culture. All for me and my brother.”  

As a first-generation college student, Sohan balances the demands of school with responsibilities at home, often acting as a translator and resource guide for his parents as they adapt to life in the United States. Despite these challenges, he is determined to honor their sacrifices. “It’s a lot,” he said, “but I keep going because I don’t want their sacrifice to be in vain.” 

At the Community College of Aurora, Sohan found exactly what he needed on his path to success. “The smaller class sizes and individual attention gives me the support I need,” he said. The scholarships he has received have been critical to enabling him to save for his next step: transferring to CU Boulder to continue his studies in computer science. 

Thanks to a scholarship from the Foundation for Colorado Community Colleges, Sohan is closer to achieving his dream of becoming an entrepreneur and building an online business. Combining his passion for technology with his desire to make an impact, he is determined to make the most of the opportunities his parents sacrificed so much to provide. 

Sohan is just one of over 300 students who received a scholarship from the Foundation for Colorado Community Colleges, which awarded more than $500,000 in aid this year to help students like him thrive. 

Beyond scholarships the Foundation supports a wide range of initiatives throughout the Colorado Community College System that support students like Sohan.  

Amplify Your Local Impact 

Supporting community colleges means supporting Coloradans, like Sohan, and building a strong economy. Around 95% of CCCS students are Colorado residents, and the vast majority stay in state after graduation. What’s more, 44% of students enrolled in our 13 colleges each year are the first in their families to pursue higher education—including many students in Colorado’s rural communities, students of color, student parents, and more groups historically overlooked by traditional institutions of higher education. By donating to the Foundation for Colorado Community Colleges, you are fostering a homegrown, skilled, and diverse workforce that will keep Colorado competitive. 

Presented by Community First Foundation and FirstBank, Colorado Gives Day is a longstanding Colorado tradition that maximizes your generosity. It offers the perfect opportunity to support causes you care about. When you give to the Foundation for Colorado Community Colleges today through December 10, the Colorado Gives Fund will match a portion of your donation so your impact goes even further. Visit the Foundation’s Colorado Gives Day webpage to get started or give to any of the CCCS community colleges. 

Colorado Gives Day Links: 

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About CCCS 

The Colorado Community College System (CCCS) is the state’s largest system of higher education and workforce development, delivering thousands of programs to over 125,000 students annually through 13 colleges and 35 locations across Colorado. The System’s open-access mission ensures all Coloradans who aspire to enrich their lives have access to high quality, affordable higher education opportunities. The System Office provides leadership, advocacy, and support to the colleges under the direction of the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education (SBCCOE). Join us in changing the way Colorado goes to college at cccs.edu. 

About the Foundation For Colorado Community Colleges 

Founded in 1987, the Foundation for Colorado Community Colleges advances the mission, vision, goals, and objectives of the Colorado Community College System. Specifically, the Foundation actively seeks contributions from public and private sources to make scholarships available statewide, advance key programmatic initiatives, provide training and support for CCCS college foundations, and develop partnerships to implement state of the art programs that meet the workforce needs of the 21st century. Learn more at cccs.edu/foundation-for-colorado-community-colleges.