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The Western Governors' Foundation serves as the source of strategic seed
capital for research projects at the Western Governors' Association and
for other organizations and individuals that help serve the governors and
the region.
The Foundation accepts grants and gifts from corporations,
foundations and individuals. With these charitable donations, the
Foundation makes awards to WGA and others who assist it in policy
development and implementation.
Leadership and Innovation
The Foundation funds WGA programs and policy development
in several key areas, including information technology and governance,
education, natural resources, the environment, human services, economic
development, international relations, and state management.
The issues are selected by the governors based on regional
interest and impact. WGA helps the governors develop strategies for
complex, long-term issues as well as immediate concerns.
Teachers' Legacy Scholarships
In February 2002, Western Governors, corporate leaders and
the Western Governors University joined together under the leadership of
the Foundation to create its latest initiative –
the Teachers' Legacy Scholarships.
This initiative will enhance the participating states'
teaching force by funding scholarships for K-12 teachers and prospective
teachers who wish to obtain teacher certification or pursue an advanced
degree in Learning Technology, Math, Science, Reading, and English as a
Second Language (ESL).
The West is expected to see some of the largest percentage
increases in student enrollment over the next decade. Nationally, public
schools will need an estimated 2.4 million new teachers. Western Governors
created the Scholarship program, recognizing a significant opportunity to
reach out to existing teachers, paraprofessionals and second-career
professionals to enhance their teaching skills and abilities. The goal is
to provide 1,000 scholarships to K-12 teachers over the next four years.
As a partner in this effort, the
Western Governors University
is able to open the door to these individuals with its
competency-based and Internet-delivered degrees. Competency-based degrees
will ensure teacher competency in the subjects and also allow for those
with significant competencies from prior work, academic or life
experiences to be certified more quickly. Last fall, the Department of
Education awarded WGU a $10 million Star Schools grant to fund the
creation of a national online teachers college.
Corporate partners will help fund the Legacy Scholarships
program through a tax-deductible $15,000 annual contribution to the
Foundation over a four-year period. Each $15,000 contribution will fund
two scholarships for teachers to complete a degree at WGU.
Mickelson Fellowship
Another Foundation initiative is the George S. Mickelson
Fellowship, named in honor of the former South Dakota Governor, who served
as WGA's chairman in 1991. He died tragically in a plane crash in 1993.
The fellowship, which was formed by his colleagues, honors Mickelson's
dedication to the West and his commitment to public service. It allows
each succeeding chairman's state to fund an innovative demonstration or
training opportunity for a deserving state employee that would not
otherwise be possible.
Foundation Donor Recognition and Benefits
Donor contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by the
law. The Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) supporting organization of the
Western Governors' Association. For more information on how to support the
Foundation, contact Pam Inmann, Foundation President.
1515 Cleveland Place, Suite 200
Denver, Colorado 80202
Ph: (303) 623-9378
Fax: (303) 534-7309
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