Someone once said, first you learn, then you earn, then you return. You can help make a difference in your community by helping supporting college scholarships for deserving students, and more educational programs through the St. Petersburg College Foundation.
You’re about to meet some very inspiring individuals who believe in a cause and who made it happen through their efforts and support.
Quick links to this page include:
Benefits of Giving
There are some unique and surprising benefits for both students and donors to give the gift of education through St. Petersburg College and here’s why:
- Private Contributions are eligible for Florida’s Philip Benjamin Program matching funds.
- Donors may create their own segregated fund for as little as $10,000. Most universities and private colleges require a much large minimum gift.
- Segregated funds can be established as a legacy from the donor or in honor or memory of a loved one.
- Donations are not used to pay administrative and fundraising expenses. 100% of donations are allocated for the purpose for which they are given.
- Donors may participate in award selections.
- Tuition at SPC is much more reasonable than universities and private colleges. Donated dollars at St. Petersburg College impact more students.
- Funds support students in our Tampa Bay community.
Donor Video Spots
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Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art $20 million gift Tarpon Springs Campus Allen and Isabella Leepa |
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Twin Sisters Steinways $2.2 million Music Center St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus Various friends and students |
Ramona Austin
For as long as she can remember, Ramona Austin has been a caregiver.
“My sister’s husband died and left her with three young children,” she explained. “I helped her care for her children while she attended St. Petersburg College.”
Her instinctive nature to help others and her desire for a college education eventually led Austin to pursue her passion – a career in nursing.
At 48, after decades of caring for others, she went to college for the first time, earning her nursing degree from St. Petersburg College.
Reflecting back on her rich career in nursing, she has arranged for a bequest to the college through her estate plan, to help students complete their nursing degrees.
Joseph G. Blanton
“The people at SPC were like angels; they moved us to do what we can to reach out to others who need help getting adequate finances to go school.”
These are the words of Joseph G. Blanton, newly-appointed chairman of the St. Petersburg College Foundation board of directors. Blanton, along with his wife Nancy, established the Amy Blanton Scholarship to honor his daughter and to help SPC students who have been diagnosed with a learning disability.
Blanton became involved with the College more than 10 years ago when his daughter Amy enrolled at St. Petersburg Junior College. Blanton credits the faculty and staff at SPC with helping Amy fight through a learning disability to achieve her goal of earning an associates degree.
Diagnosed with a learning disability himself at the age of 30, Blanton had some insight into the difficulties the students face.
“I want to help others become overachievers like myself and Amy,” he said. “It’s nice to know that we are actually helping people. We have been very impressed by those who have received the scholarship so far.”
A sixth generation native Floridian, Blanton is a vice president at Raymond James & Associates Inc., where he has spent the last 22 years. He received a degree in Finance and Business from the University of Florida and started a career in finance at the age of 21. Blanton has used his sharp skills to guide the SPC Foundation as chairman of its Finance and Investment Committee and is honored to now serve in a greater capacity.
As the new chairman of the board, Blanton’s primary goals are to ensure the maintenance of an active, vibrant board, as well as striving to generate the maximum return on assets for greater scholarship payouts.
The Blantons have been married for 39 years and are the proud parents of three adult children and six grandchildren. Blanton also serves, or has served, on the boards of trustees of the Florida Orchestra and the Florida United Methodist Church Children’s Home, and is an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Clearwater.
Ken Cherven
At a time when most young men are focused on family and career, Ken Cherven found a way to give back early.
“As a young man raising a family, I couldn’t afford to do much in the way of charitable contributions,” he said.
So he purchased a life insurance policy with the proceeds going to the college.
“I pay the premiums to keep it in force. Even though it’s an end-of-life gift, I feel that I make an annual gift to the college by paying the premiums.”
Life insurance is a great way to give a deferred gift to the college when you may not be able to give a large gift immediately.
For more information on volunteering, donating to SPC programs, or leaving a legacy through a bequest, contact the SPC Foundation at 727-341-3302 or spcfdn@spcollege.edu.
Return to Foundation Home.
