For many people, higher education is a gateway to a brighter future. In Coeur d’Alene, North Idaho College (NIC) is a valuable resource for locals of all ages to discover their aspirations and achieve their ambitions. The higher education opportunities offered by NIC contribute to making this a stronger community, populated with a large pool of individuals who provide the varying talents, capabilities, and expertise that keep the community vibrant and thriving.
Since 1977, the NIC Foundation has been a steadfast champion for NIC, committed to enhancing educational excellence and providing scholarships. As an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit, the NIC Foundation is guided by a passionate volunteer board of directors composed of civic-minded community leaders dedicated to fostering relationships and investing in NIC, its students, and employees.
The NIC Foundation supports several aspects of NIC’s educational mission by:
- Promoting Education: Creating public awareness of and fostering community pride in the college’s educational programs and services.
- Empowering Students: Providing scholarships to deserving students, making higher education accessible and affordable.
- Sustainable Support: Building an endowment to support both student and college needs in perpetuity, securing the future of education in the region.
- Campus Development: Partnering with the college to develop and expand the physical campus to meet the changing needs of students and the community.
- Financial Prudence: Managing the Foundation’s assets prudently, ensuring that funds are available to benefit the college and its students and staff.
- Stewardship: Serving as an exceptional steward of donors’ philanthropic investments, ensuring that funds are utilized for their intended purpose.
The Big Raffle: A Grand Tradition
One of the NIC Foundation’s most significant annual fundraisers is the Big Raffle, which encapsulates the spirit of community giving. Tickets for the Big Raffle cost $150 each and are sold at local businesses or online. The NIC Foundation sells only 5,000 tickets, so the chances of winning are high.
The grand prize has traditionally been a new house constructed in a Coeur d’Alene development, usually built by a local firm that donates the home to the NIC Foundation. Mike White Ford has also been a steadfast supporter of the NIC Foundation. This year, the drawing was held on July 12. While one lucky family won a house, Maura and Johnny Gregg won a brand-new Ford Bronco Big Bend edition SUV donated by Mike White Ford.
The NIC Foundation’s 2024 Big Raffle has already been launched, and the drawing for the 31st annual raffle will be held on July 10, 2024. A house has already been donated, and the NIC Foundation has indicated that another vehicle will be one of the many prizes available to lucky winners of the next Big Raffle.
Investing in Community
Mike’s donation of a Ford Bronco Sport Big Bend edition for the Big Raffle is just one snapshot of the efforts Mike White and his dealership make to contribute to North Idaho’s well-being. This commitment extends beyond the dealership’s showroom floors, reflecting a genuine desire to uplift the region.
As a family-owned and family-run Ford dealership with showrooms in Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint, Mike White Ford believes in supporting the community, particularly in programs that invest in education. Mike White’s dedication to North Idaho College and other local organizations is longstanding and unwavering, and he intends to keep it that way.
If you’re interested in purchasing a new or used vehicle, Mike White Ford invites you to come by one of our showrooms, call us, or visit our website. You will find quality vehicles and receive exceptional service. You’ll also be supporting a business deeply ingrained in the fabric of the North Idaho community. Discover the benefits of working with a local, family-owned dealership, where “Continuous improvement through service to others” is our motto.