Washington Community Colleges See Big Bequest From Little-Known Donor

Seventeen community colleges in Washington State will split a $10 million bequest from the estate of a woman who never attended college and whose personal wealth was largely unknown until after her death.

Eva Gordon, a Eugene, Ore., native who died in June 2018 at the age of 101, graduated at the top of her high-school class and regretted she never went to college. She found a career at a Seattle investment firm and began regularly saving and investing small amounts from her paychecks.

“If there was a coupon for two-for-one at Applebee’s, she was all about that,” said John Jacobs, Gordon’s godson and estate representative, in a statement by the Seattle Colleges Foundation announcing the bequest.

She married Ed Gordon, a stockbroker and World War II and Korean War veteran naval aviator, in 1964. The two taught business courses at McNeil Corrections Center.

Eric Murray, president of Cascadia College, one of the recipients, said Gordon’s gift “represents an awareness that our state’s community and technical colleges, and students, play a vital role in our region’s economy and overall well-being.”

Gordon’s gift is the latest example of increased interest in community colleges from wealthy donors. In 2018, gifts of $1 million or more to community colleges totaled $54.2 million, up from $3 million in 2009.

Michael Theis writes about data and accountability for the Chronicle, conducting surveys and reporting on fundraising, giving, salaries, taxes, and more. He recently wrote about the sharp increase in donor-advised funds and about a new ratings site that measures charity impact . He also compiled data for our November report on America’s Favorite Charities . Email Michael or follow him on Twitter .