KCHS Class of 1980 Pay It Forward Challenge Fund

Today, students attending Kalamazoo Central High School (KCHS) face a number of challenges students didn't experience back in 1980.  The COVID-19 pandemic, economic recession and civil unrest have created additional barriers for seniors as they struggle to complete their high school education. 

As former KCHS students, the KCHS 1980 Class Reunion Committee challenges our classmates and other KCHS classes to support the Pay-It-Forward Challenge Fund. Working in partnership with the Maroon Foundation, this unique fundraising challenge will support senior classes each year  to implement projects designed to help seniors experiencing hardships as they prepare to graduate from high school. We believe KCHS seniors are best equipped to identify appropriate projects the Fund may support during these difficult times.  

The KCHS Class of 1980  encourages our classmates to make a three-year financial commitment supporting the Pay-It-Forward Challenge Fund.  We have established a three year goal of $15,000 with a suggested donation of $100 per year however, we welcome all donations! Upon receipt of an application from the senior class, the Fund will make an annual disbursement to the school administrator working with student leaders.

The Maroon Foundation agreed to serve as the fiscal sponsor. As a non-profit organization specifically created for Kalamazoo Central High School, the Foundation supports the “Kalamazoo Central Family” and is a proud partner of the Pay-It- Forward Challenge Fund.  All donations are tax deductible. The KCHS 1980 Class Reunion Committee will be responsible for providing regular updates on the progress of the Pay-It-Forward Challenge Fund. We have agreed with the Maroon Foundation that any excess funds not utilized by a senior class will be retained for future senior projects, used to support other student-led projects identified in working with school officials or added to the Maroon Foundation’s general grant making fund.


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