ARCS Foundation has recently released its 2023 Annual Report titled, “Igniting Innovation for 65 Years.” Honoring the work ARCS has been doing for 65 years, the report highlights several achievements that empower ARCS to meet its mission to propel scientific innovation in the United States. Specifically, the organization celebrated these milestones in the 2022-2023 academic year:
- Initiation of the 2023-25 Strategic Plan
- Partnership between ARCS and the Danaher Foundation to provide scholar awards to five of our chapters in communities where Danaher has a presence
- Since 1958, ARCS Foundation has helped over 11,000 cumulative scholars with a total funding of over $136M.
“Last year, we re-imagined the future of our organization, and this year, we led with intention,” says current ARCS National President Beth Wainwright. “We continue to build upon our 65-year history by preparing ARCS Foundation to meet the demands of the future so that our nation remains competitive in the scientific world.”
The 2023-25 Strategic Plan was initiated to keep ARCS grounded in a shared understanding of the past and the present to look into the future. The new plan features seven strategic goals to help ARCS move positively in the direction of a fully developed and financially sustainable organization. The strategic goals touch on developing infrastructure, expanding awareness, supporting chapters, and so on.
To highlight the innovation ARCS National experienced, there was a focus on the new Invite to Ignite challenge that fostered chapter membership growth. It was a catalyst to boost chapter membership in 2023. Over the year, ARCS welcomed 123 new members across the 15-chapter network. The Illinois chapter won the challenge with a whopping 29.5% increase in membership. The Utah Chapter was runner-up with 25%, and third place was the Minnesota Chapter with a 21.8% increase.
In 2023 the Danaher Foundation approved a grant to ARCS Foundation, Inc., for $100,000. This funding will support the Danaher National Impact Awards to five ARCS Chapters for implementation between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024. The chapters are Metro Washington Chapter, Illinois Chapter, Northern California Chapter, Orange County Chapter, and Minnesota Chapter. This is very exciting for ARCS Foundation and ARCS Chapters. We hope this will open the door to a continuing partnership with Danaher,” 2021-23 National President Caron Ogg said.
The twenty-four-page report also included the announcement of the most recent Hall of Fame inductee, astronomer Heidi B. Hammel, PhD. Hammel was recognized for her significant contributions to astronomy utilizing both the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes to expand our understanding of planetary science and the frontier of space.
2023 was a big anniversary year for more than the original founding Los Angeles Chapter, which celebrated 65 years. ARCS Metro Washington Chapter celebrated 55 years, the Seattle Chapter celebrated 45 years, and the Pittsburgh Chapter celebrated its 20th anniversary. Across fifteen national chapters, over 1,000 ARCS members support the ARCS vision to advance science and technology in the United States.
To view the digital version of the 2023 Annual Report, follow this link.
