Dear Educators and Parents,
The Mensa of Wisconsin Foundation is currently looking for projects to fund for the 2013 fiscal year. Yes, I said "fund"! We focus our giving on worthy projects in the areas of literacy and gifted education where we can really make a difference. In the past, our giving was primarily to libraries, some schools and the Capitol Science Fair. Starting this year, I'd like us to get some money into the hands of educators who are working directly with gifted Wisconsin children. We do not usually donate to general operating funds, but would be happy to help a gifted ed teacher from a poor district travel to the WATG conference for professional development, for example, or to fund a special classroom project for gifted students, or to help defray the costs of a SENG parent group facilitator to help set up your group.


The Mensa of Wisconsin Foundation is a small philanthropic organization established with an endowment by the members of Mensa of Wisconsin in 1986 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt foundation.

MOWF was created to support and engage in educational, scientific, literacy and charitable endeavors. These endeavors include supporting, encouraging and conducting scholarship and awards programs to assist deserving individuals in their pursuit of education, training and research. Individuals or groups requesting funds must be a resident in the area served by Mensa of Wisconsin, i.e., the state of Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
For more information and to apply, please visit http://www.mowf.org/GrantSeekers.html. Please also feel free to contact me directly with questions. And spread the word!
Sincerely,
Lessa Scherrer
Secretary, Mensa of Wisconsin Foundation
secretary@mowf.org
 
 
WATG has been very proud the last several years to receive grants from the DPI to help fund our various educational outreach, advocacy and networking projects.

Grant projects included such endeavors as:

GIFTS 101 and 201 workshops for parents and educators
Diversity Summits
Free Webinars
Wisconsin G/T Speaker’s Bureau
Teen Conferences
SENG Leadership Workshops
Advocacy Conference
G/T Counselor/Psychologist database
Identification software development
WATG Creativity Guide
G/T Grand Rounds with hospital pediatricians and medical staff
Overlooked Gems Academy

In 2011-2012, the purpose of the grants was changed to support only learning opportunities not ordinarily provided in the classroom to meet the education needs of G/T students. While we applaud the focus on direct instruction to students, we’re disappointed WATG’s mission and related activities don’t fall into that category.   

Still, this affirms our organization’s specific charge -- fostering a climate in the home, school, and community that allows each individual to reach his or her unique potential. We can assure you that we will continue to seek ways to fund the activities you have found so valuable in the past.