Southwestern Illinois College serves more than 300,000 residents of Community College District 522 through campuses in Belleville, Granite City and Red Bud. Established in 1946, SWIC offers more than 150 affordable degree and certificate program options. Southwestern Illinois College Foundation, founded in 1975, exists to maintain and enhance the quality of life by developing friends and funds for support of the educational cultural and service goals of Southwestern Illinois College. The SWIC Foundation promotes excellence by securing gifts for special educational and cultural activities that are not part of the college budget.