National Leaders Value Kids, Innovation in Louisiana

Carrie and John Morgridge, founders of the Morgridge Family Foundation, are known for their no-nonsense approach to seeking out and funding programs across the nation that spark innovation and fuel transformation. They like what they see in ACE Scholarships and in the people of Louisiana.

“Students who were once at risk of dropping out of school in Louisiana are now setting their sights on college and careers,” Carrie told ACE Scholarships. “That’s the kind of program that we like to support.”

Carrie was introduced to ACE Scholarships by a friend who invited her to the annual ACE luncheon in Denver, which is where ACE is headquartered. She was expecting a small gathering, but instead found herself among 1,500 top business leaders in the ballroom of the Hyatt Convention Center.

“The speaker was a young man who came to the United States with his family as a refugee from civil war in Kenya,” Carrie recalled. “He was stuck in a low-performing school until he received an ACE Scholarship, allowing him to attend a high-performing private school where he graduated and is now attending a top college.”

Carrie is the author of Every Gift Matters, in which she advocates the idea that even small gifts can have a big impact if leveraged properly. In the book, she asks people to be “mindful of the low-income, high-potential kid who can be rescued by a loving parent, dedicated teacher, compassionate boss, or someone else who believes in them.”

John and Carrie have a down-to-earth style rooted in their love for the outdoors. Though the Morgridge Family is based in Colorado, their heart for family and for helping kids and their love for the warm, welcoming culture of hospitality made them feel at home in their visit to the Bayou State.

“ACE believes that every child should have equal access to a quality education,” said Carrie. “As business people, we recognize that education is the best path toward prosperity and stability for people, and is the best investment we can make in the future of our society.”

John and Carrie invited Kellie Lauth, Chief Executive Officer from mindSpark Learning in Denver, to present information on how the program introduces workforce development into the curriculum at K-12 schools. For more information, visit mindSpark Transforms Education Through Workforce Development.

During a visit to Louisiana in mid-September, John and Carrie announced a significant gift to ACE Scholarships, allowing nearly 250 Louisiana children from low-income families to attend the school of their choice.

“This really is a no-brainer,” Carrie added. “Every donation to ACE Scholarships changes the direction of a young person’s life by giving them a great education, but the awesome tax incentive in Louisiana provides a 95 percent tax rebate to individuals, corporations, and non-profits that donate to the program. What can be better?”

For more information on ACE Scholarships in Louisiana, contact Arthur Dupre, State Director, at [email protected]