Recognition

CASE Award Honors ARCS' Service to Education

The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) presented the James L. Fisher Award for Distinguished Service to Education, its highest award, to ARCS Foundation in 2019, noting the 13,000 ARCS Scholar Awards valued at $66 million given to some 7,700 students over 50 years. View current tallies

“Distinguished Service Awards recognize efforts that have made a significant difference in the ability of educational institutions to fulfill their missions and achieve their visions,” said CASE President John Lippincott. CASE serves more than 3,400 universities, colleges, and independent primary and secondary schools in 61 countries with resources for fundraising, communication, marketing, and alumni relations.

View the Award Notification and Nominating Letters.

ARCS Foundation Joins Competitiveness Council

ARCS Foundation, Inc., was tapped as a new affiliate member of The Council on Competitiveness, in 2015. A premier U.S. brain trust of leaders from corporate, academic, and labor sectors, the council recommends actionable policy pathways to drive US economic growth.

“America's leadership depends upon new discovery and the innovation that creates new opportunities and underpins future growth,” noted council President nd CEO Deborah L. Wince-Smith. “ARCS Foundation is at the forefront of efforts to ensure the best and brightest scholars of science, engineering, and medical research pursue their dreams.” Read more

In 2020 testimony testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Budget, Wince-Smith, a member of the ARCS Metro-Washington Chapter, called for increased federal investment in innovative scientific research and technological development. View the hearing.

Many donors contribute directly to one of our 15 chapters. Others, like those highlighted below, choose to make a broader impact through support for the national organization. Learn more about giving options.

SILVER FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Silver Family Foundation donated $2 million in 2022 to fund programs that advance the sustainability of ARCS Foundation's 15 affiliated chapters and increase engagement from 11,500+ ARCS scholars and scholar alums. The Oregon-based philanthropic organization's contribution marks the largest single gift in ARCS Foundation's 64-year history. Read more

DANAHER FOUNDATION

A sponsor of ARCS Metro Washington scholars since 2015, the Danaher Foundation expanded its support to four additional chapters in 2023. The Danaher family of science and technology companies seeks to drive meaningful innovation through partnerships that help build a diverse, STEM-ready workforce. Its latest $100,000 grant supports ARCS Scholars in geographic areas where Danaher Foundation has a presence — Washington D.C., Illinois, Northern California, Minnesota, and Orange County. Read more

JOACHIM HERZ FOUNDATION

In 2021, the Joachim Herz Foundation made a special gift to ARCS Foundation in honor of then President Sherry Lundeen. Funds were distributed across the 15 chapters to support ARCS Scholar awards and the balance used to seed the Chapter Challenge fundraising drive. The Hamburg-based foundation seeks to stregthen educaiton, science, and research to make a an effective contribution to the self-determined lives of individuals and freedom for all.

ROCHE FOUNDATION

The Roche Foundation provided more $800,000 to fund ARCS Scholars in life sciences. Scholars in 16 regions received ARCS Roche Awards for three years beginning in 2014. Read the award announcement or learn about the 36 ARCS Roche scholars.