ARCS National President Caron Ogg is pleased to announce that the Danaher Foundation has approved a grant for ARCS Foundation, Inc. in the amount of $100,000. This funding will support the Danaher National Impact Awards to five ARCS Chapters for implementation between January 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024.
Danaher’s shared purpose - Helping Realize Life’s Potential - is what unites their 80,000 associates who are focused on improving the quality of life in the communities where they have a presence, and worldwide. Danaher describes itself as a science and technology family of companies that drives meaningful innovation, with operating companies around the globe. Danaher seeks partnerships that share their desire to make an impact in the world through building a diverse, STEM-ready workforce; advancing healthcare innovation; and protecting the environment.
Danaher has partnered with the Metro WA Chapter since 2015, where they have supported a scholar every year for $15,000. The Danaher Foundation wants to make a broader impact on creating positive and persistent change, but it relies on a targeted approach to community investment and a preference for programs and organizations that demonstrate a shared commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
“Metro Washington has been fortunate to have Danaher partner with us since 2015, with the corporation sponsoring a graduate scholar at one of our five partner universities for $15,000 each year,” says Susan Trice, an ARCS member since 2004 who is currently the VP for Development on the Metro WA chapter board. “We were excited when they reached out about the possibility of expanding their impact to other chapters of ARCS. This cooperative effort benefits both organizations,” Trice says.
She continues: “ARCS and Danaher share the goal of advancing STEM education in our nation. This is a critical mission--one that supports advanced research, invests in the future science and technology leaders of our country, and facilitates economic health and growth. “
Danaher Foundation proactively identified ARCS Foundation as an organization that meets their criteria and invited National to apply for a grant. Since this is Danaher Foundation’s first time implementing a granting process, they recommended ARCS apply for $100,000 encompassing five specific geographical areas where Danaher has a presence – Metro WA Chapter, Illinois Chapter, Northern California Chapter, Orange County Chapter, and Minnesota Chapter. The chapter presidents of these chapters are excited about this new opportunity. The Danaher National Impact Award will support a total of 13 scholars next fiscal year.
“This is very exciting for ARCS Foundation and ARCS Chapters. We hope this will open the door to a continuing partnership with Danaher,” Ogg says. “Thank you to the Metro WA Chapter for being the catalyst for this opportunity and to the team who wrote the grant.”
Ogg also thanks her fellow ARCS members for their contribution, “Initially, Susan Trice, Sarah Vandenplas, Anna Maria Matteucci and I met with Danaher twice to discuss how the two entities could partner,” she says. “Other members of the grant writing team included Linda Burke, Barb Goergen, Christine Hawes, Sherry Lundeen, Susan Smith, Patty Sparrell, Linda Thier, Beth Wainwright, and Jo Whitehouse.”
“ ARCS, together with Danaher, is committed to building a diverse, STEM-ready workforce that focuses on improving a system of access and support for underrepresented students and professionals to excel in STEM education and careers,” Ogg says.
