FLC secures $500,000 Saul Zaentz Foundation gift for student success, well-being initiatives
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FLC secures $500,000 Saul Zaentz Foundation gift for student success, well-being initiatives

The gift from the Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation will support first-generation students and expand basic needs services at FLC.

Gift from Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation will support first-generation students and expand basic needs services at FLC.
DURANGO, Colo. — The Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation has awarded Fort Lewis College Foundation $500,000 to launch the Saul Zaentz Thriving Scholars & Well-Being Program, a new initiative that strengthens student support and expands basic needs services.

The foundation’s gift will:

• Support the Saul Zaentz Thriving Scholars program with $400,000 in scholarships and resources for up to 100 first-generation, Colorado resident income students. The program combines financial support with advising, career development, and wellness services to help students graduate with little or no debt.

• Fund early planning for a Student Well-Being Hub with $100,000 to conduct a feasibility study and develop architectural plans. The hub will consolidate food access, housing support, and mental health care in one welcoming location, reducing barriers for students. The foundation will also use this as a challenge match to raise an additional $100K for basic needs programming.

The Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation honors the legacy of three-time Academy Award-winning producer and independent media entrepreneur Saul Zaentz. Guided by Zaentz’s vision, the Foundation is committed to improving educational and life outcomes for children from low-income and historically marginalized communities across the United States.

"This investment honors Saul Zaentz’s legacy while empowering our students to thrive," said FLC President Heather Shotton. "By addressing both financial and basic needs barriers, we are ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed and live the life they imagine."

"This partnership strengthens our commitment to being a student-ready institution,” added Interim Vice President for Advancement Lauren Berutich. “It not only opens doors for 100 scholars but also builds the foundation for a comprehensive hub that supports all Skyhawks."

FLC enrolls about 3,400 students and is one of the nation’s most diverse public liberal arts colleges.

Of the student body, 44% are the first in their families to attend college, 39% identify as Native American, and 15% identify as Hispanic/Latinx. FLC is a Native American-Serving Nontribal Institution and an emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution.