Lake Michigan College Foundation Auction Raises $100,000 for Scholarships

Annual event supports students with tuition, books, and emergency assistance

Mar. 10, 2026 at 3:00am

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The Lake Michigan College Foundation held its annual Student Benefit Auction on Saturday, raising close to $100,000 to support student scholarships, the college's food pantry, the Veterans Assistance Fund, and a program to help students facing one-time emergency needs. The event, which has been held nearly every year since 1988, featured both a live and silent auction with over 300 people in attendance.

Why it matters

The funds raised at the auction are crucial for providing access to higher education for students in the college's district, which includes Berrien County, Covert Township, and the South Haven Public School District. The scholarship endowment helps cover tuition and books for new high school graduates, while the other programs address food insecurity and emergency financial needs that can be barriers to student success.

The details

The auction featured over 200 items in the silent auction, ranging from toys and outdoor supplies to home goods and appliances. The live auction also contributed to the nearly $100,000 raised, which is about average for the annual event. The record high was $150,000 reached a few years ago. The funds will go directly into the LMC Scholarship Endowment Fund and support other student assistance programs.

  • The Lake Michigan College Foundation Student Benefit Auction has been held nearly every year since 1988.
  • This year's auction took place on Saturday, March 9, 2026.

The players

Doug Schaffer

Vice President of Advancement and Community Impact at Lake Michigan College.

Lake Michigan College Foundation

The fundraising arm of Lake Michigan College that organizes the annual Student Benefit Auction to support student scholarships and programs.

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What they’re saying

“We had over 300 people attending and enjoying the activities and raising money for scholarships and special student programs. So all in all, it seemed like everyone had a good time and we were able to raise, we think, close to $100,000.”

— Doug Schaffer, Vice President of Advancement and Community Impact

What’s next

The college is still tallying the final totals from the auction, but expects to have the full fundraising amount confirmed in the coming days.

The takeaway

The Lake Michigan College Foundation's annual Student Benefit Auction is a longstanding tradition that has raised millions of dollars over the decades to provide critical support for student scholarships, food assistance, emergency aid, and other programs that help make higher education accessible for the community.