Ralph K Morris Foundation

THE RALPH K. MORRIS FOUNDATION PROVIDES DEVELOPMENT AND LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMERGING LEADERS EXPRESSING AN INTEREST IN APPLYING AND ADVANCING THE PRINCIPLES OF COOPERATION, AND IN PROMOTING FARMLAND PRESERVATION, LAND STEWARDSHIP AND SUSTAINABILITY.

THE FOUNDATION'S PRINCIPAL ACTIVITY HAS BEEN, THROUGH ITS RALPH K. MORRIS FOUNDATION COOPERATIVE LEADERSHIP FUND, TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT, IN THE FORM OF SCHOLARSHIPS, TO HELP COVER COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH TRAINING, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR EMERGING COOPERATIVE LEADERS EXPRESSING AN INTEREST IN APPLYING AND ADVANCING THE PRINCIPALS OF COOPERATION, AND IN PROMOTING FARMLAND PRESERVATION, LAND STEWARDSHIP AND SUSTAINABILITY. THE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE PRIMARILY INTENDED FOR STUDENTS OR INDIVIDUALS WHO DO NOT HAVE SUBSTANTIAL EXPERIENCE IN WORKING FOR COOPERATIVES; SCHOLARSHIPS ARE GENERALLY NOT MADE TO INDIVIDUALS WITH EXTENSIVE COOPERATIVE INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE. IN 2021, THE FOUNDATION AWARDED SUCH SCHOLARSHIPS TO 11 INDIVIDUALS IN THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF 12,650. IN ADDITION, THE FOUNDATION MADE GRANTS TO 4 OTHER ORGANIZATIONS. IN THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF $25,200 TO SUPPORT THEIR EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES RELATING TO COOPERATIVES, PRIMARILY TO FUND INDIVIDUAL SCHOLARSHIPS TO ATTEND EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCES.

THE FOUNDATION SPONSORS THE ANNUAL TOM LYON LEADERSHIP SYMPOSIUM, WHICH IS OPEN WITHOUT CHARGE TO ALL PEOPLE INTERESTED IN COOPERATIVE LEADERSHIP. SYMPOSIUM ATTENDEES INCLUDE MEMBERS OF THE COOPERATIVE NETWORK AND PREVIOUS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS, WHO RECEIVE SPECIAL INVITATIONS TO ATTEND. IN 2021, THE SYMPOSIUM WAS HELD VIRTUALLY ON MARCH 31, 2021.

THROUGH ITS ELROY WEBSTER COOOPERATIVES STUDIES FUND, THE FOUNDATION ALSO AWARDS $2,500 AND $1,000 SCHOLARSHIPS ANNUALLY TO ONE OR MORE INDIVIDUALS PURSUING A MASTER'S, DOCTORAL OR LAW DEGREE TO PURSUE A CAREER IN COOPERATIVES OR AGRICULTURE. IN 2021, ONE SUCH SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS WERE MADE.