Westminster College to Host '1851 Challenge' Fundraiser Feb 25-26 | The Locally Times
The college's 1,851-minute donation drive coincides with the Feb. 24 start of candidate filing and a Feb. 26 ethics report deadline for the April municipal election.
Westminster College will host its annual “1851 Challenge” fundraising drive from February 25 to February 26, 2026, creating an opportunity for community and alumni support. According to a notice on the college’s website, the donation window is framed as 1,851 minutes of giving. The event is scheduled to begin at 12:00 p.m. CST on Wednesday, February 25, and will conclude at 6:51 p.m. CST on Thursday, February 26. The source documents provided by the college do not specify a monetary fundraising goal or designate the specific programs the funds will support. ## Fundraiser Coincides with Regional Civic, Government Deadlines The college's fundraiser occurs during a week with multiple regional civic deadlines. That same day, Cole County records show absentee voting begins for the April 7, 2026, Municipal Election. Other government and school activities are also scheduled during the two-day donation drive. The Fulton 58 School District calendar lists family conferences for the evening of February 26. On the same day, Cole County agendas show a public bid opening is scheduled. In the same timeframe, public comment periods for operating permits for Superior Industrial Solutions Inc. and Consolidated Grain and Barge will be nearing their early March deadlines, and the Missouri Department of Transportation has roadwork planned in the region from February 23 through March 6. ## Participation and Follow-Up Community members can participate in the 1851 Challenge through the Westminster College website. Following the donation drive, the college’s public calendar lists the Churchill Fellows Weekend, scheduled to begin on March 6, 2026. The college has not stated when it will release the results of the fundraising challenge.