Central College just concluded its 2024-25 fiscal year, and surpassed all previous fundraising records by securing $17,715,963. 

The achievement marks the highest level of fundraising in the college’s 172-year history and comes on the heels of the launch of Central’s comprehensive campaign, A World of Good. The fiscal year closed on June 30th, 2025.

The public phase of Central’s A World of Good campaign officially kicked off in April 2025 during the 25th annual Scholarship Celebration Dinner. The highlight of the year was a $9.3 million gift from the Geisler-Penquite Foundation in September 2024. A substantial portion of the record-breaking amount is bolstering Central’s endowment, ensuring long-term sustainability and providing a foundation for future generations. More than $8,420,900 was raised specifically for the endowment and $5.5M of that was designated for endowed scholarships. This past year, Central donors established 10 new endowed scholarships. The new Leave a Legacy incentive program for planned giving, backed by challenger money, launched to encourage documented bequests and estate plans.

Support for current students also reached an all-time high, with contributions to annual scholarships and the Journey Scholarship Fund reaching $1,759,611 – a record high for the college. Central is committed to awarding a $1,000 scholarship to every incoming student and 100% of gifts to the Journey Scholarship Fund directly empower students. For the first time ever, all Central students will receive this scholarship in 2025-26. 

Year of Unprecedented Generosity at a Glance:

• Total Giving: $17.7 million
• Transformative Gift: $9.3 million from the Geisler-Penquite Foundation
• Endowment, including Endowed Scholarships: $8.42 million
• Capital Improvements: $4.2 million – dedicated to enhancing campus
• Annual Student Scholarship Support: $1.759 million
• Forever Dutch Athletics: $1 million