Foundation awards $1M matching grant to Cox College

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Cox College outlines $6.6M capital campaign

Cox College is getting closer to the $6.6 million it needs to conduct facility improvements.

J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation Inc. presented a $1 million matching grant to the college. To gain the funding, college officials must separately raise $1 million within the next year, according to a news release.

“The $1 million pledge is a huge part of this revitalization campaign’s overall estimate and puts us much closer to starting on the renovation work,” said Lisa Alexander, president of the CoxHealth Foundation, in the release.

CoxHealth spokeswoman Kaitlyn McConnell said the capital campaign launched in May has raised $2.4 million to date. With the foundation grant and the matching funds, the total would increase to $4.4 million.

Through the campaign, Cox College is seeking to make facility improvements on all floors of its four-story college campus, 1423 N. Jefferson Ave., attached to Cox North. The addition of new learning rooms and expansion of classrooms is expected to grow the college’s student cap to 275 from 250 with a future goal of 300.

Tulsa, Oklahoma-based J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation was formed in 1948 by John and Lottie Mabee. It contributes to Christian religious organizations, charities, higher education institutions and hospitals.

Since its founding through August, the foundation has made $1.2 billion in donations, including $206 million in Missouri, according to its website.