PELLA, IOWA (July 30, 2025) — Central College just concluded its 2024-25 fiscal year on an absolute high, smashing all previous fundraising records and securing an astounding $17,715,963. This monumental achievement marks the highest level of fundraising in the college's 172-year history and comes on the heels of the exciting launch of Central's comprehensive campaign, A World of Good. The fiscal year closed June30, 2025.
"Our team is thrilled by the incredible enthusiasm and overwhelming support for our comprehensive campaign," says Sunny Gonzales Eighmy, vice president for advancement and a proud 1999 Central graduate. "The Central family has stepped forward to both raise goodwill across the country and financial support for the college. We are passionately preparing the next generation of global leaders — leaders instilled with a heart for others, deep empathy and a spirit of service. We are grateful to all who help and partner with us to advance our mission."
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 truly transformative contribution celebrated at the dinner.
A substantial portion of this record-breaking success is bolstering Central's endowment, ensuring long-term sustainability and providing an enduring 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 ten 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 soaring to $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, in 2025-26, all Central students will receive this scholarship due to the generosity of the Central family.
Students continue receiving this foundational scholarship each year — helping make up a portion of the average $14,251 in financial aid and scholarships students receive from Central, as well as federal and state sources — for an exceptionally affordable college experience.
Year of Unprecedented Generosity at a Glance:
- Total Giving: A Historic $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: A record $1.759 million
- Forever Dutch Athletics: $1 million
You can be a part of this momentum too by contributing to the comprehensive campaign. Visit https://www.central.edu/give today.
Central College of Pella, Iowa, is a private college known for its active student body, academic rigor and athletics success. Our students learn collaboratively with supportive educators who share a commitment to intellectual engagement, personal growth, career readiness and civic involvement. Founded in 1853 and shaped by its Christian heritage, the college of 1,100 students participates in NCAA Division III athletics and is a member of the American Rivers Conference. Central is an active part of the Greater Des Moines region and just minutes from Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest lake.
