FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Pikes Peak State College Launches Second Annual Giving Day to Expand Student Support and Community Impact 

Colorado Springs, CO — March 19, 2026 — Pikes Peak State College (PPSC) announces the return of its Giving Day on April 15, 2026, building on the momentum of its inaugural campaign to further support student success, educational access and community well-being across the Pikes Peak region. The donation page is live now so donors are encouraged to give early and share their gift on social media, using the following hashtags: #givingdaypikespeak2026 #ppscgiveday #ppscfoundation. 
 
Scholarships supported through Giving Day have a direct impact on students like Kira Sorby, a Spirit of the Springs Scholar from the Class of 2025, who has been working toward her goal of becoming a police officer and serving her community. “Receiving this scholarship lightened the financial burden of my education, allowing me to focus more deeply on my studies and continue building the skills I needed to achieve these goals,” says Sorby.  

“Giving Day is a powerful reflection of what our community can accomplish together,” says Donna Nelson, Chief Development Officer of the PPSC Foundation. “Each gift helps remove barriers and creates opportunities for students to move forward with confidence, whether they are pursuing a degree, building new skills, or supporting their families while in school.”

Giving Day focuses on high-impact areas that address both immediate student needs and long-term success: 

• Foundation General Fund: Provides flexible support to respond quickly to emergencies and new opportunities, such as support for student services & student clubs. 

• Student Scholarship Fund: Expands access to education and supports workforce pathways through targeted scholarships in high-demand fields 

• Spotlight Scholarship Fund – Sylvia Cruz Garcia Fearless Leaders Scholarship:  We celebrate Sylvia, not only for her monumental career at PPSC, not only for her professional accomplishments, but also for the example she set as a mentor, leader, and advocate! Contributions are matched by COSI. 

• $5,000 Matching Opportunity – Chef Henry Trujillo Scholarship Endowment 
  Thanks to a generous match from the Trujillo family, every dollar donated to this scholarship endowment will be matched up to $5,000, doubling your impact for students pursuing careers in the culinary arts. 

• Student Crisis Fund: Benefits students facing hardships during their semester. Students are often put in a financial bind that causes them to drop out of college. 

• Military and Veterans Programs (MVP): Strengthens services and programming for military-connected students, who make up a significant portion of the PPSC community  

“Many of our students are balancing work, family and school,” says Paul Jimenez, PPSC Foundation Coordinator. “Giving Day is an opportunity to stand alongside them and invest in their success. When students have the support they need, they are able to complete their goals and contribute meaningfully to our local workforce and economy.” 

In addition to making a gift, community members are encouraged to share their support on social media to amplify impact and inspire participation across the region. Using the following hashtags helps to spread the word and ignite curiosity about the impact elevating access to higher education can have on a community. Donors are encouraged to post the reason they are donating with the hashtags #givingdaypikespeak2026 #ppscgiveday #ppscfoundation. 

To learn more or make a gift, visit givingdaypikespeak.com. Early giving is open now ahead of April 15, with extended opportunities to contribute throughout the campaign. 

About Pikes Peak State College Foundation 
The Pikes Peak State College Foundation advances the mission of PPSC by raising funds, building partnerships, and investing in student success. Through scholarships, program support, and innovative initiatives, the Foundation helps create pathways to education, workforce readiness, and economic mobility for students across Southern Colorado. 

About Pikes Peak State College (PPSC): 
Established in 1968 and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Pikes Peak offers associate degrees, certificates in career and technical fields and a growing number of bachelors’ degrees. With four campuses, various off-campus locations, two military education centers, and hundreds of online classes, PPSC provides access to a quality, affordable and flexible education to more than 17,000 students annually with both credit and non-credit classes. 
 
Media Contact:  
Donna Nelson 
Chief Development Officer 
Pikes Peak State College Foundation 
Email: donna.nelson@pikespeak.edu 
Direct:  (719) 502-2466 
Mobile:  (719) 715-3897