Garwin Family Foundation
Organization History and Ethos
The Garwin Family Foundation, established in 1993 by Leo and Ruth Garwin, reflects their lifelong dedication to education and mentorship. We honor their legacy by championing their belief that a comprehensive and rigorous education is essential for personal growth and thriving communities. This conviction drives the Foundation’s philanthropic endeavors. Since 1981, Southern Illinois has been our home, and it is with gratitude that we pay it forward.
Vision
The Garwin Family Foundation envisions a world where exceptional high school students unlock their full potential and lead purposeful, productive, and impactful lives that strengthen their communities and improve the world.
Mission
The Garwin Family Foundation is dedicated to offering exceptional summer academic opportunities to highly motivated public high school students from rural Southern Illinois. We empower these students to create meaningful connections with their peers, challenge their perceived limits, enhance self-confidence, and pursue their passions.
Values
- Student-Centric: We prioritize the development of gifted, hard-working students, helping them build social networks and guiding them toward measurable academic successes.
- Transformational Experiences: We offer students tailored, life-altering educational opportunities that ignite social and intellectual growth.
- Integrity: We maintain accountability and transparency in all our work.
- Excellence: We relentlessly pursue cutting-edge approaches to educating high-achieving students in STEM and the Arts (STEAM), enriching the GFF sponsorship experience.
- Rural Focus: We support our schools and the talented students of Southern Illinois by linking them to rigorous summer learning opportunities on campuses nationwide.
- Mentorship: We inspire, empower, and nurture the leadership potential of exceptional students.
- Community: We cultivate a strong, supportive network in which students connect, collaborate, and inspire one another, building relationships that extend beyond their summer experiences.
- Joy: We take pride in watching our students confront challenges, solve problems, and prepare to engage with an ever-expanding world. We celebrate their journeys as they grow into confident adults, knowing they are our future.
Learn more about our sponsorship program.
