Yount wished to train young Americans how to live among other peoples in such a way that they would reflect credit on themselves and their country."

William Lytle Schurz

President (1949-51) American Institute for Foreign Trade (now Thunderbird School of Global Management) 

Thunderbird was founded with the mission of developing American leaders for roles in international business and diplomacy.

Its guiding principles were to foster global understanding, cooperation and economic development. These principles are as relevant today, as they ever have been.

The challenges facing humanity now and in the future are profound. As the role of the U.S. in business and diplomacy has become even more critical, it is vital that we continue to prepare American leaders to face the challenges ahead.

The world needs more T-birds. That is why we have established the Founders’ Vision Award, to support more high-achieving American students in building global mindset and cultural intelligence; critical skills for the future.

"Supporting scholarships at Thunderbird is more rewarding than I could have ever imagined! The inspiration behind this award is my conviction that American students have the power to be transformative leaders on the global stage.

As T-birds, we need to ensure that Thunderbird remains competitive. This scholarship is intended to provide financial relief, but more importantly, to drive the most talented and brightest students to choose Thunderbird as the best path forward. Through targeted outreach, recruitment, and scholarships like this one, we can make Thunderbird a top choice for American students once again.” 

- Karen J. Simon

• Declining enrollment: full-time residential graduate programs are declining; more schools offer ‘global’ program content. Competition for students amongst top schools has become fiercer. 
• Financial barriers: rising costs of tuition, living expenses and opportunity cost of leaving lucrative jobs for study create particular challenges for top candidates.

The landscape of higher education in the U.S. has shifted dramatically:

• Enhance Thunderbird's visibility in the United States.

• Enable high-potential students to attend Thunderbird, regardless of their financial circumstances.

• Empower scholarship recipients to make significant contributions to the student body, program, and community by offering them financial security.

• Strengthen Thunderbird's capabilities to recruit students from the US.

• Inspire meaningful philanthropy amongst your peers and fellow T-birds across the globe with your high-profile and significant commitment.

• Improve student success outcomes and therefore Thunderbird - and your personal - brand. 

A Founders’ Vision scholar will meet the following criteria and receive the following benefits.

A Founders’ Vision Scholar must demonstrate:

• Leadership potential and commitment to contributing to Thunderbird community
• Academic excellence, with minimum 3.5 GPA to enroll and maintaining 3.5 GPA during study.

What the scholarship provides:

• Full tuition for the flagship two-year, full-time Master of Global Management program
• Membership in a high-caliber cohort

Consider making a significant donation of support to ensure the Thunderbird of tomorrow embodies the spirit of the school’s original founders.

All gifts over $100,000 have the opportunity for naming recognition in the Thunderbird Global Headquarters.

Create the most impact with a donation in one of the following amounts:

• Prominent recognition on new $1M+ scholarship donor board in the Thunderbird Global Headquarters
• Opportunity to leverage your gift as a gift-matching fund to encourage other major supporters to the Founders’ Vision Award.
• Opportunity to connect individually with students throughout their time at Thunderbird.
• Be recognized in promotional materials as a Founding Donor to the Founders’ Vision Award, where the commitment is made prior to the December 31, 2025.

donation over 5 years

• Opportunity to connect individually with students throughout their time at Thunderbird.
• Be recognized in promotional materials as a Founding Donor to the Founders’ Vision Award, where the commitment is made prior to the December 31, 2025.

donation over 5 years

donation over 5 years

• Opportunity to connect individually with students throughout their time at Thunderbird.

*Naming recognition opportunities are limited. 

Griffin Gosnell, ’18

Director of Engagement

Email: [email protected] 

Phone: +1 602-496-7054

With your support, we want to raise $3.5M to support 50 exceptional American students over the next five years.

To increase the impact of your gift, T-bird Karen Simon ’83 has offered to match donations over $100,000 at $1 for every $3 given, up to $500,000 for the 2025 tax year and a total of $1M over the program.

To support the Founders’ Vision Award, reach out to us today.

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