Unleashing creative potential
It’s no secret — Creative Thought Matters at Skidmore. In fact, creativity is our ethos, innovation is our commitment, and entrepreneurship is our ever-evolving aspiration. These are the driving forces behind programs that help students translate concepts into practice and the inspiration behind spaces that foster collaboration.
$5 million + $5 million
The Sands Family Foundation Initiative for Creativity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship
(CIE)
With a $5 million one-to-one matching pledge led by Rob Sands ’81, Bill Caleo ’99, and Fitzhugh Karol ’04, Skidmore has the opportunity and the challenge
to infuse the student experience with a $10 million investment in experiential learning, professional development, and entrepreneurial education.
It’s here, in our liberal arts community on this creative campus, that the seeds of
entrepreneurship are planted. With your support, they can thrive.
Creativity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship (CIE) is an initiative that leverages longstanding Skidmore programs such as the Kenneth A. Freirich Entrepreneurship Competition, MB107, and Entrepreneurial Artist Initiative. It is a current driver for the Schupf Family Idea Lab, StartUp Skidmore, and student experiential learning. Our Brooklyn event celebrating the Sands Family Initiative and challenge grant hosted by Trustee Bill Caleo ’99 shows how CIE sets the stage for Skidmore’s future.
START THE CONVERSATION
Ian Farrell
Assistant Vice President for Development and Strategy
518-580-5649
ifarrell@skidmore.edu
Support students by helping us Create More:
- Invitations for entrepreneurial experts to serve as guest speakers and artists-in-residence
- Student innovation grants and workshops
- Experiential learning opportunities
- Academic programs, including a minor in entrepreneurship
- Resources for the Schupf Family IdeaLab in the Billie Tisch Center for Integrated Sciences
- Spaces and opportunities designed to unleash the creative energy of the entire campus community
“At Skidmore, I gained the fundamental knowledge to become a successful attorney and businessman along with an invaluable set of life skills. The Sands Family Foundation Initiative promises to support and grow these aspects of the education.”Rob Sands ’81executive chairman of the board of directors of Constellation Brands
Budding entrepreneurship at Skidmore
At Skidmore, our entrepreneurial mindset is coupled with our commitment to helping
students think, collaborate, and make with the creativity that the global community
demands. The College offers superb existing programs that will be further supported
by Creativity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship, such as the Entrepreneurial Artist
Initiative, the Skidmore-Saratoga Consulting Partnership, and the Kenneth A. Freirich
’90 Entrepreneurship Competition.
“I want the world to see that a Skidmore education is truly the best preparation for the 21st century. Our gift is going to provide programmatic support for the kind of entrepreneurial thinking that is a natural and fundamental part of the College.”Bill Caleo ’99member of the Sands Family Foundation and Skidmore Board of Trustees