GITA

Since its inception nearly three decades ago, GITA has been committed to one goal—providing high-quality education to the geospatial industry. The original intent of GITA’s founding fathers has remained true over the years and is carried on to this day. GITA is unsurpassed as the leading provider of professional education for geospatial professionals around the globe. The unwavering commitment to provide this information has made GITA the industry’s most well-respected educational association. Through its conferences, seminars, chapter events, Webcasts, and publications, GITA provides a unique forum for geospatial professionals to exchange ideas, experiences, and visions—finding new ways to use geospatial information to create a better world.

A History of Giving

True to its educational mission, GITA established an internship program in 1993. The program helps college students studying geographic information systems (GIS) and related geospatial sciences secure summer internship positions. GITA’s Internship Committee carefully reviews and ranks each application, awarding selected students $2,000 stipends. To date, a total of $154,000 has been awarded to help nearly 80 students receive hands-on experience working for geospatial organizations across the United States and Canada.

Scholarship Program

GITA’s scholarship program, currently administered through its local chapters, is the most comprehensive program administered by an association serving the geospatial industry. Since 1994, GITA has awarded more than $127,500 in scholarship funds. This level of commitment supporting academic endeavors is unsurpassed in the nonprofit geospatial community and underscores GITA’s dedication to ensure the success of the industry and the people it serves.

Funding for the Future

Historically, the funding for these scholarship and internship programs has come from GITA’s operating budget. In order to ensure that adequate funds to support and enhance these important programs will be available in years to come, the Board of Directors of GITA formed the GITA Foundation.

The goal is for the Foundation to be self-sustaining, generating enough interest to not only expand the scholarship and internship programs, but also to engender other far-reaching initiatives whose effects will extend into the future. In doing so, GITA seeks to expand its leadership role in the geospatial industry by ensuring the quality of tomorrow’s geospatial workforce. Below are some of the broad-reaching initiatives envisioned.

Create a sustainable educational program

Establish a geospatial technology research capacity

An Unwavering Commitment

The goal of this fund-raising campaign is to increase the Foundation’s corpus to $1 million. Many key supporters have already made significant financial contributions, giving this project an outstanding head start. Thanks in large part to a generous one-time donation of $50,000 by longtime GITA supporters Ed and Asta Forrest, there are currently nearly $110,000 in assets. The unanimous commitment of the Board of Directors, GITA’s volunteer leadership, and association staff ensures that GITA will remain focused on making this financial goal a reality, creating a Foundation to provide geospatial education for the workforce of tomorrow and ensuring a bright future for the industry.

Recognizing Our Donors

The Foundation is seeking donations from both individual and corporate donors at three different pledge levels, which are designed to meet every level of giving:

1. Pioneer Pacesetter

Pioneer Pacesetters represent the highest level of giving by making a one-time pledge of $15,000 or more.* These lead gifts are from true geospatial industry leaders—those few individuals whose influence on the GIS industry has been long-standing and far-reaching. This select group of individuals will be honored at the Opening Session of GITA’s 30th Annual Conference in San Antonio March 4-7, 2007. A formal presentation of a plaque will take place at the Henry A. Emery Awards Luncheon during the conference. Pioneer Pacesetters receive the highest level of recognition; for the next five years, their names will be listed on all Foundation-related literature, announced at subsequent contributor award presentations, and highlighted on the GITA Web site. Additionally, these individuals will be mentioned in both the on-site newspaper, Conference News, and the association’s Networks newsletter. Each member of this elite group will automatically be offered a seat on the Scholarship/Research Selection Committee for a period of five years.

2. Leadership Level

This category recognizes the contributions of individuals pledging $10,000 or more per year and corporate donors pledging $50,000 or more per year.* Leadership donors will be honored with the presentation of a plaque at the Henry A. Emery Awards Luncheon at the Annual Conference. Those in the Leadership category will be mentioned in both the on-site newspaper, Conference News, and the association’s Networks newsletter, as well as in the Awards Luncheon program.

* Pioneer Pacesetter and Leadership gifts may be made payable over a three-year period.

3. Sustaining

Sustaining members are recognized for their contributions at five different levels.

All donors at the Sustaining level will receive recognition in the on-site newspaper, Conference News; the association’s Networks newsletter; and in the Awards Luncheon program.

Foundation Policies

All donations are tax deductible. Funds received will be designated to increase the corpus of the Foundation so as to increase the level of investment income.

A Pledge to Serve

GITA’s leadership is united in its mission to serve the geospatial community today and into the future. We are proud to launch this exciting campaign to create a strong, financially sound Foundation whose sole purpose is to further education and applied research in the geospatial industry. On behalf of GITA’s individual members, its Board of Directors, and association staff, we ask that you make your pledge to the GITA Foundation today.