2 equals 3 equals OPPORTUNITY!
Using the North Dakota Matching Fund for Enhanced Academics to strengthen LRSC
wo equals three” is an interesting calculation. Mathematicians may cringe, but North Dakota’s 63rd
legislative assembly has created some exciting new math—a formula in which two becomes three.
The North Dakota Matching Fund for Enhanced Academics was established with the goal to
strengthen the state’s 11 colleges and universities through private support. Beginning July 1, qualifying
gifts will be enhanced with a match of one dollar of state funding for each two dollars of private funding. A pool of
$1 million is assigned to LRSC. (Other university system institutions have similar pools.) To access these funds, our
college, through its foundation, must raise $2 million in gifts and pledges from private sources by December 31,
2014. After that, all un-matched funds will be available to other North Dakota colleges and universities.
To qualify for matching funds, gifts must support projects that address the legislature’s designated priorities:
research, scholarships, technology, endowed chairs, and educational infrastructure.
LRSC has identified projects in all five areas, but is launching the campaign with a focus on the three areas most
well understood and urgently needed—scholarships, technology, and education infrastructure.
“T
 Scholarships—The legislature is seeking long-term impact from its matching initiative. Thus, endowed
scholarships will be a focus of our “2 equals 3” matching campaign. LRSC’s foundation currently accepts gifts of
$10,000 or larger as named endowments. New named endowments will be matched during the “2 equals 3”
campaign, making a gift of $10,000 equal $15,000. Sponsors of named endowments established in prior years may
also tap into the matching opportunity by making gifts or pledges of $2,000 or larger.
During the campaign period, smaller gifts for scholarships will be pooled and endowed, making them eligible for
matching funds as well.
 Technology—The legislature recognizes the importance and costs associated with keeping college classrooms
equipped with first-rate instructional tools. Each of LRSC’s program areas has identified teaching resources that are
needed but exceed current budget limitations. Gifts for technology must be $2,000 or greater to access the “2 equals
3” match. Please contact the foundation office for more information about specific technology needs.
During the campaign, smaller gifts for technology will be pooled matched, annd used to address an important
technology need.
 Education Infrastructure—The legislature provided funding for construction of a new 24,000-square-foot addition
to the college’s technical education center and support to renovate the current facility. Architects are working to
update the plan first proposed six years ago, with construction to begin this fall. Private support will enable LRSC to
enhance the educational investment provided by appropriated funding for this capital project. Gifts for the technical
education facility will qualify for match during the “2 equals 3” campaign. Several gift recognition levels have been
established, including opportunities to name classrooms and the opportunity to name the new building addition
itself. During the campaign, each gift of $2,000 and greater will be recognized with an engraved tile which will
become the flooring of the entryway in the new building.
“2 equals 3”equals an unprecedented OPPORTUNITY! If you have ever considered an investment in
community college education for the Lake Region and our state, now is the time. Please contact LRSC’s foundation
staff for information about how your gift can be 50 percent larger with a match from the North Dakota Matching
Fund for Enhanced Academics. 