Skip to content
Home » Foundation

Foundation


Every day, the generosity of donors like you changes lives.

Pellissippi State Foundation makes a difference by building a network of generous supporters to help students, staff, and administration at Pellissippi State Community College achieve their educational, cultural, and service goals.

The Foundation gained tax-exempt status as a 501 (c)(3) organization in 1983. A Board of Trustees-volunteer representatives from local industry, community leaders, and donors- governs the Foundation. Learn more about the Foundation’s impact through the 2022 Annual Report.

You can be a part of transforming lives through education. Whether you’re a community friend, a proud alumnus, an employee, or someone who believes in the power of education, the Foundation can help you find your passion for giving.

“Coming to Pellissippi State was the greatest experience I’ve ever had. The college and the foundation gave me such strength and courage, and I couldn’t have done it without them.”

-Chisa Huffman, DPN, MSN, MBA, RN-BC
Pellissippi State Alumna
Scholarship recipient

Contact Us

Pellissippi State Foundation
EIN 58-1493050
865.694.6403
foundation@pstcc.edu

Aneisa Rolen
Executive Director
Pellissippi State Foundation
P.O. Box 22990
Knoxville, TN 37933

Follow us and Engage

  • Facebook @foundationpscc
  • Twitter @psccfoundaton
  • Instagram @psccfoundation

What We Do

Many low-income students find the spending associated with attending college-even when tuition is eliminated-an insurmountable barrier. Scholarships can change the course of one’s life. The Pellissippi State Foundation provides need-based scholarships to increase student persistence and success. 
 
If you are interested in learning more about establishing a scholarship, contact scholarships@pstcc.edu.
 
 
The Student Opportunity Fund was established in 2018 by Diane and Tom Ballard to eliminate the barriers that prevent Pellissippi State students from staying in school and moving forward with their education. Assistance might include help with purchasing textbooks, tuition, transportation, childcare, or other types of emergencies. Contact sof@pstcc.edu to make a referral. 
 
Student food insecurity is a growing concern on campuses, with the 2021 #RealCollege National Survey reporting 39% of respondents were food insecure in the prior 30 days, 48% of respondents were housing insecure in the previous year, and 14% of respondents were homeless in the previous year. The Pellissippi Pantry serves all campus sites and operates solely through the generosity of donors and grants. 
 
 

The Foundation supports an Alumni engagement program that provides graduates with networking, professional development, and volunteering opportunities. Alumni success is recognized through the annual Distinguished Alumni Award, Peggy Wilson Volunteer Alumni Award, and social media features. For more information about alumni, contact alumni@pstcc.edu.

The Pellissippi State Foundation is passionate about supporting capital improvements, acquiring state-of-the-art equipment, and fostering innovation. By providing funding, the Foundation aims to create an environment where students have access to the best resources, support systems and tools for learning.

Grant Development supports innovation by obtaining funding for Pellissippi State through state and federal government grant programs and private foundations. Competitive grants have helped fund student success initiatives, faculty research and new program start-ups as well as student scholarships, new classroom and laboratory equipment and training. The grant office seeks funding opportunities focused on workforce development to align programs with industry demands, address skill gaps, and prepare individuals for an ever-evolving world. For information about Grant Development, contact grants@pstcc.edu.

Ways to Give

There are many ways to give to support the dreams and goals of college students.

  • Cash gifts – Currency, checks or credit card
  • Pledges – Future gifts of monies or property voluntarily given without expectation on the part of the donor
  • Gifts In-kind – Non-cash gifts that advance the mission of the College may be accepted. In-kind gifts will be reviewed for approval in accordance with current Gift Acceptance Policies
  • Matching Gifts – Many employers have matching gift programs
  • Payroll Deduction – Pellissippi State employees can provide one-time or recurring gifts through payroll deduction
  • Appreciated Stocks – Security shares of publicly traded companies transferred directly to the Foundation
  • Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) – Allows individuals who are 70½ years old or older to donate up to $100,000 total to one or more charities directly from a taxable IRA instead of taking their required minimum distributions
  • Real Estate – Gifts of private, commercial or agricultural property if approved by the Tennessee Board of Regents

You can establish a recurring annual gift to the Pellissippi State Foundation. Annual giving is vital to student success, since these gifts fund student scholarships, student support services, faculty and staff development and other needs that require consistent funding.

Annual givers are recognized as members of The Pellissippi Circle:

$25,000 and above — Governor
$10,000 – $24,999 — Chancellor
$5,000 – $9,999 — President
$1,000 – $4,999 — Dean
$1 – $999 — Friend

For more information about annual giving or sponsorships, contact Anna Graham at foundation@pstcc.edu.

Major gifts enable individuals to create a powerful philanthropic impact on Pellissippi State. Gifts of $10,000 or more can be pledged over a five-year period. These gifts can transform organizational capacity and have a positive impact on the goals and the mission of the College. This support can be directed to new capital projects, renovations, named scholarships and program enhancements.

For more information on major gift development, contact Marilyn Roddy at mlroddy@pstcc.edu.

The Pellissippi State Foundation has a program that ensures that future generations of students can achieve their educational dreams. We are proud to introduce the Legacy Society, honoring those who have designated a planned gift to the Foundation. These contributions include, but are not limited to:

  • Bequests
  • Trusts
  • Retirement assets
  • Life insurance

Simply designating the Pellissippi State Foundation for an estate or planned gift – of any size – enrolls you as a member. As a member of the Legacy Society, you will help ensure that your support continues in perpetuity.

If you have made a provision for the Pellissippi State Foundation in your will, thank you. Let us know by completing a Legacy Society Donor Statement of Intent. The Estate Planning Information document will provide you with suggested working for bequests and our legal contact information.

If you have not yet made a provision but are interested in doing so, we welcome the opportunity to help you meet your philanthropic objectives and financial and tax goals.

For more information on planned giving, contact Marilyn Roddy at mlroddy@pstcc.edu.