College Foundation Raises $42,130 for Students
The Community College of Aurora Foundation's second annual Miles With Mordecai event raised funds for student emergency assistance.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Philanthropy
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In October, the Community College of Aurora Foundation raised $42,130 for its Student Emergency Assistance Fund during the second annual Miles With Mordecai event. College President Mordecai Brownlee walked the 71-mile High Line Canal Trail over three days to support the effort.
Why it matters
The fund helps students cover unexpected expenses such as food, transportation, and housing that could otherwise prevent them from remaining enrolled. The walk highlights how community partners can help close financial gaps that affect student persistence in Aurora.
The Foundation raised $42,130 for student emergency assistance during the event, which covered a 71-mile walk over three days along the High Line Canal Trail. The source does not specify how the total will be distributed among students.
The players
Mordecai Brownlee
Brownlee is the president of the Community College of Aurora, who walked the High Line Canal Trail to raise funds for students and is scheduled to leave the role in December.
Community College of Aurora Foundation
The foundation is the fundraising arm of the Community College of Aurora, which supports student emergency assistance and related programs.
The details
Students, donors, and community partners joined Brownlee on the walk. The Student Emergency Assistance Fund provides gift cards for food, transportation, and housing, and recipients must meet with Student Advocacy coaches to develop long-term plans. The District Credit Union issues the gift cards and covers activation fees, and Wagner Equipment Co. hosted a barbecue for participants on the third day.
Timeline
October: Miles With Mordecai fundraiser and 71-mile walk held
December: Brownlee's presidency ends
Philanthropy Trend
The second annual Miles With Mordecai walk extends a recurring model in which a college president personally leads a fundraising trek to support the Student Emergency Assistance Fund. Brownlee has said he plans to continue the walk annually after leaving the college, which would sustain the model beyond his tenure.
Students facing unexpected costs for food, transportation, or housing may be able to access gift cards through the Student Emergency Assistance Fund, which requires a meeting with Student Advocacy coaches. The fund's activation fees are covered by the District Credit Union, reducing costs for recipients.
The takeaway
Community fundraising tied to individual students' expenses can help keep them enrolled, and the fund's requirement to develop long-term plans suggests support extends beyond a single payment.
Further reading
Explore more Philanthropy coverage to see how local fundraising efforts support students and communities in Aurora.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ColoradoBiz.
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