Educational Grants

J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation Appoints New Executive Director, Grants $3.1 Million — $2.5 Million for the College of Western Idaho, and $605,000 in Community Grants

DECEMBER 23, 2008 (Boise, Idaho) — The Board of Directors of the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation (Foundation) today announced the appointment of Jamie Scott MacMillan, great-granddaughter of the late grocery magnate Joe Albertson, to executive director of the private family foundation. The Board also approved $3.1 million in grants.

“I believe events have come full circle,” said Joe Scott, MacMillan’s father and Chairman of the Foundation Board of Directors. “I am both a proud parent as well as an admirer of Jamie’s character and abilities, and know she will serve the Foundation and its mission well. I know my grandfather would be proud.” Scott continued, “One of Jamie’s first tasks as executive director will be to see through the Foundation’s desire to increase access to post-secondary education in Idaho, and carry out our commitment to the College of Western Idaho.”

Following establishment of CWI in May of 2007, the Foundation pledged $10 million for critical start-up costs, business planning efforts, and activities that increase high quality, affordable, comprehensive community college access, the cornerstone of the Foundation’s Community College Initiative.

This past November, the CWI Board of Trustees submitted a proposal to the Foundation requesting $2.47 million for Year 1 start up costs and business planning consultants. The Foundation Board approved a $2.47 million grant to meet CWI’s request, and included an additional $30,000 to support need-based scholarships for students immediately affected by their inability to pay for college.

“The CWI Board of Trustees is grateful for the Foundation’s generosity in funding these essential start up costs and providing scholarships for deserving students, “ said CWI Board Chairman, Guy Hurlbutt. “We look forward to next year’s critical business planning efforts, which will include the active participation of CWI’s newly-elected Trustees and a new College President, who will replace current President Dennis Griffin when he retires in August, 2009. We anticipate working closely with the Foundation to identify those items in the business plan that most readily meet their funding criteria of increasing access to postsecondary education.”

In making this initial $2.5 million grant, the Foundation Board re-affirmed its $10 million total pledge to CWI, and will hold the remaining $7.5 million in trust to support strategies for access to high quality, affordable, comprehensive community college education as part of CWI’s long-term business plan.

At its recent meeting, the Foundation Board also approved more than $600,000 in community grants. “We chose these organizations because during these tough economic times they continue to provide food, clothing, counseling, training and other necessities Idaho children, families and students depend upon,” said the Foundation’s new executive director, Jamie Scott Macmillan. “They are well-run and provide vital community services both during the holidays and throughout the year. They deserve our support, and we call on all those who can to give or lend a hand.”

MacMillan, who has begun the transition to her new duties, will carry out the Foundation’s existing work with the support and involvement of the Board and staff, and will help direct the Foundation’s current strategic planning process.

MacMillan is not a newcomer to the Boise-based Foundation. For the past eight years, she has headed up the Foundation’s community grants program, helping to establish a track record of giving to organizations in Idaho that are well-managed and seek to help families and children in need. She has been a director on the Foundation’s Board for ten years, serving as secretary/treasurer since 2002. She will continue to serve in this capacity.