The Alumni Association was organized as a nonprofit corporation in 1979. Its purpose is to promote Itasca Community College and its relationship with ICC alumni. Membership is open to Itasca Community College graduates, former students and staff and friends of the college upon recommendation of the Board of Directors. It is governed by a 10 member Board of Directors along with input from college staff as ex-officio members.

The Itasca Community College Foundation was established in 1972 when Will Backes, Itasca dean of students, Jack Freeman, owner and manager of Kremer Co. Store, Grand Rapids and Ed Friedman, U. S. Steel superintendent of mines, met to discuss the need to establish a college foundation following the relocation of the college from Coleraine to Grand Rapids. Articles and By-Laws were approved by the State of Minnesota on June 21, 1972 and the IRS issued 501(c) 3 status to the foundation on April 11, 1973. The development office was established on July 1, 1986 when the Blandin Foundation awarded the foundation a $30,000 one year grant to study, prepare and implement a deferred giving/endowment fund program and update the alumni list.

Since its beginning in 1972, the Itasca Community College Foundation has supported students and the college by encouraging financial contributions from alumni and friends. Beginning with modest awards of $3,600 in 1986, the Foundation is nearing the $1 million benchmark for total student scholarship dollars awarded. The Foundation currently manages over 50 endowed scholarship funds and 11 endowed programs, all established to benefit students and strengthen and enhance the campus community.   We are very proud to have assisted thousands of students afford a college education at Itasca.  

In addition, the Foundation has provided nearly $500,000 in grant funding for equipment purchases, student experiences, campus projects and faculty and staff initiatives, not normally funded through the college budget.    

We administer a broad range of scholarship awards, some very much for high achieving scholars, some for particular programs or fields of study but also many for average students whom alumni donors want to give a helping hand to in acknowledgment and thanks for their “start” at Itasca.  

Formed through the forward thinking of community members, the Foundation continues its tradition of exceptional board governance by Itasca area volunteers today. Generous grants from the Blandin Foundation through the years have provided key funding for both operational needs and special projects.