Thunderbird School of Global Management
Founders' Vision Award
Founders' Vision Award
Learn more about your impact
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.
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 J. 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.
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.”
Impact of Donor Support
Your contributions to this fund:
- 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.
- Impact the vibrancy of Thunderbird's student community and classroom environment.
- Improve student success outcomes and therefore Thunderbird — and your personal — brand.
