Terry Lee Wells Foundation

Recognition

Our Trustees (left to right): Lynn Atcheson, Dawn Wells,
Charlotte McConnell & Sherrie Cartinella

2009 Silver Star

The Terry Lee Wells Foundation was chosen by Truckee Meadows Tomorrow to receive one of their prestigious Silver Star awards, which were presented at the Accentuate the Positive Luncheon, a community-wide celebration, in October 2009. Silver Star award winners are individuals and organizations who have measurably improved the quality of life in the Truckee Meadows by positively impacting one of the community’s 33 Quality of Life Indicators.

The Foundation was selected in the category of Education & Lifelong Learning for the indicator Educational Success because of the positive impacts on graduation rates and educational attainment that are expected to result from the SMARTHINKING online tutorial program that the Foundation has funded with a three-year, $250,000 grant.

The Terry Lee Wells Foundation Trustees determined that one year was not long enough to evaluate whether or not this program would make a difference so they decided to bring this resource to the Washoe County School District students for three years with the stipulation that data be collected and evaluated to determine the usage and benefit to students. This resource fills an educational gap that is needed to support low- income, limited English, academically talented as well as average students along with parents as they struggle to assist their children with homework.

2008 Foundation of the Year

The Terry Lee Wells Foundation was selected as the recipient of the Sierra Chapter, Association of Fundraising Professionals’ (AFP) coveted Cornerstone Award as the 2008 Foundation of the Year. The Foundation was nominated for the award by Denise Hedrick, Executive Director of the Education Collaborative of Washoe County, for recognizing the impact a relatively low-cost tutoring program could have on the students in our community, and for creating a unique partnership that will be a model for other foundations to use in strengthening the relationship among foundations, grantees, and key stakeholders in the community.