GRA’s Scholastic Fund Program benefits regional academic groundwater programs and their students through scholarships, travel to and attendance at GRA conferences, and departments involved in California groundwater research. Much of the support has been received through sponsors at GRA Branch events. The GRA membership also contributes to the GRA Scholastic Fund Program as part of GRA's annual membership drive. Since the program inception, GRA members and Branch sponsors have contributed over $30,000 to the educational needs of California’s groundwater students.

In 2010, GRA and the Water Education Foundation (Foundation) joined to form the GRA - WEF Scholastic Fund Program. The Program continues GRA's longstanding Scholastic Fund Program, and it allows GRA to expand the Program with leadership from GRA's Branches and GRA's Education Committee. Contributions to the Program are considered a charitable contribution (to the extent provided by law) since the Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable organization. The Foundation’s mission is to "create a better understanding of water resources and foster public understanding and resolution of water resource issues through facilitation, education and outreach."

The new partnership commenced with a generous challenge contribution from Steve Zigan, President and founder of Environmental Resolutions, Inc. (ERI), recently merged to form Cardno ERI. Mr. Zigan is a frequent participant at GRA Southern Branch meetings and has contributed to the GRA scholarship fund previously. His challenge initiated the Fund receiving a greater number of contributions than usual. To make an online contribution to the GRA - WEF Scholastic Fund Program, please use the following link, http://www.watereducation.org/secure/GRAScholastic.asp

Past recipient programs have benefitted students at the University of California, Berkeley, California State University, Fullerton and California State University, Sacramento.

Considering the important role that groundwater plays in California's overall water resources management, it is vital that GRA continue to invest meaningfully in education and students that strive to "protect and improve groundwater supply and quality." Through the GRA - WEF Scholastic Fund Program, you can invest meaningfully too.

For additional information about the GRA - WEF Scholastic Fund Program, please contact Dr. Thomas Harter, GRA Director, thharter@ucdavis.edu or Kathy Snelson, GRA Executive Director at executive_director@grac.org.

Thank you.