George Family Foundation awards $1.6 million in latest grant round

MINNEAPOLIS – (July 13, 2015) – Underwriting online leadership training to address issues within a national fraternal organization, understanding the impact of gender norms, and supporting community leaders pursuing expanded knowledge of public policy, are a few of the recent grants awarded by the George Family Foundation.

Founded by Penny and Bill George in 1994, the $68 million private family foundation has an interest in integrative health, authentic leadership, spirituality and the community.

The Foundation awarded 21 grants for a total of $1.6 million in this round, out of an annual giving budget of more than $3.4 million.

A signature grant of $500,000 has been awarded to the Sigma Chi Foundation to support Sigma Chi U, a new web-based, multimedia educational learning program for all undergraduate Sigma Chi chapters. “The troubling social issues that have surfaced within fraternities are well-known, and we are pleased to provide substantial support to ensure that ethical standards and leadership training will be addressed at the national, rather than chapter level,” noted Bill George.

The Foundation awarded $75,000 to the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs Policy Fellows program. Awarded over a three-year period, the grant will help women and men of color expand their knowledge of public policy in nonprofit leadership.

The Foundation provided two grants that reflect its interest in exploring how gender norms impact children and youth. A first-time grant of $15,000 to True Child, a Florida-based think tank that explores how gender norms impact young people – particularly those in difficult living situations – will help the organization develop a new strategic plan. Additionally, the Foundation continued its support of Sanneh Foundation, with a $40,000 grant to support its work to build leadership skills and mentoring with children involved in soccer programs.

 “We are very pleased to be supporting a groundbreaking training program with a national fraternal organization and to learn more about the effects of gender norms in society,” said Gayle Ober, president. “We are interested in how this work will benefit our nation’s young people in the years ahead.”

 The complete list of 21 grants includes:

 $500,000 to the Sigma Chi Foundation to support Sigma Chi U, a web-based, multimedia educational learning program for undergraduate Sigma Chi chapters.

$300,000 to Duke University to support the redesign, piloting and launch of a new Women’s Leadership Initiative.

$100,000 to Duke University to support of the Trinity College Annual Fund for Financial Aid.