Although no official records survive of the specific fundraising efforts, the Blount College Building (completed in 1799) was paid for by public subscription. In 1803 Dr. Charles C. Coffin, then president of Greeneville College, recorded in his diary an informal meeting in March with the trustees of Blount College. At that meeting Blount College President Carrick passed around a paper to obtain subscriptions to help to fund Blount College. The trustees pledged $1,000 payable at the end of three years. In 1809 the trustees authorized the president (Carrick) to solicit donations and received enabling legislation from the Tennessee Legislature to hold a lottery.