YEA! MN Student Sustainability Summit a Success!
Over eighty middle and high school students gathered at the University of Minnesota for the YEA! MN Student Sustainability Summit this spring.
State view: Cravaack plan a troubling backlash against climate-change education
We published a response to Congressman Cravaack’s amendment to cut funding for climate change education in the Duluth News Tribune.
Educate, Inspire and Empower
Established in January 2006 by polar explorer Will Steger, the Will Steger Foundation, educates, inspires and empowers people to engage in solutions to climate change.
Join Us!
For an enlightening evening with Dr. Eugenie Scott August 6, 2012 at 7:00 PM Climate Science in Schools: the Next Evolution – Free Public Forum Humphrey School of Public Affairs
Minnesota's Changing Climate (Updated)
We are pleased to announce that Minnesota's Changing Climate: Engaging Students in Environmental Stewardship has won the 2012 Environmental Initiative Awards in the Environmental Education Category.
7th Annual Summer Institute for Climate Change Education
Investigate Minnesota’s Changing Climate at the Will Steger Foundation’s 7th Annual Summer Institute for Climate Change Education
August 7 and 8, 2012 at the School of Environmental Studies in Apple Valley, MN
Learn More...
Join the National Bike Ride for Sustainable Solutions and Support WSF!
This year, WSF Executive Director, Nicole Rom and Board Member David Bryan are participating in Climate Ride, combining their love of cycling and work with the Will Steger Foundation.
Read More...
Minnesota's Changing Climate Classroom
Join the Will Steger Foundation on an Exploration of Minnesota’s Changing Climate
Minnesota’s Changing Climate curriculum project ties Will Steger’s adventures from boyhood to adulthood with engaging content on Minnesota’s natural environment (i.e. biomes) and the impacts of climate change. The curriculum includes lesson plans for grades 3-12, as well as an online classroom with video, audio and interactive content.
Explore Now...
Steger Foundation Blog: Most Recent
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Minnesota's Changing Climate Updates, May 25
Written by Ann Benson, Education Program AssistantWe are happy to announce that Minnesota's Changing Climate received the Environmental Education Award at the 2012 Environmental Initiative Awards! Thanks to all of our partners who made this work possible! As the school year is winding down and you are looking back on all you have accomplished this year,…Written on Friday, 25 May 2012 12:10 in Climate Lessons Read 23 times -
YEA! MN Student Sustainability Summit a Success!
Written by Abby Fenton, Youth Programs DirectorOver eighty middle and high school students gathered at the University of Minnesota for the YEA! MN Student Sustainability Summit this spring. Watch the video recap from the summit!Written on Thursday, 24 May 2012 11:37 in Local (Minnesota) Read 169 times Read more... -
Climate Change finds a place in Next Generation Science Standards
Written by Kristen Poppleton, Director of EducationLast week the first public draft of the Next Generation Science Standards became available on-line. The new standards lean heavily on the Framework for K-12 Science Education, released a few months ago by the National Academies Press. The standards were written for a number of reasons including, the fact that…Written on Thursday, 24 May 2012 11:29 in Climate Lessons Read 92 times -
Will Steger Foundation Launches Innovative Region-Wide Mentorship Program
The Will Steger Foundation is kicking off the summer with research to develop and launch an innovative mentorship program within the RE-AMP network that connects youth climate leaders with veteran staff from climate-focused non-profit organizations across the Midwest. Mentorship is defined as a mutually beneficial learning relationship between two people…Written on Wednesday, 23 May 2012 15:39 in Climate NewsTags: emergingleaders youthaction minnesota midwest local mn mnyouth youthclimate environmentalmovementRead 171 times Read more... -
State view: Cravaack plan a troubling backlash against climate-change education
Written by Kristen Poppleton, Director of EducationWe published a response to Congressman Cravaack’s amendment to cut funding for climate change education in the Duluth News Tribune. Read the article…Written on Thursday, 17 May 2012 14:25 in Climate News Read 78 times Read more...
Quick Links
Will Steger Foundation
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April Happenings
Minnesota's Changing Climate (Updated)
We are pleased to announce that Minnesota's Changing Climate: Engaging Students in Environmental Stewardship has won the 2012 Environmental Initiative Awards in the Environmental Education Category.
WILL STEGER FOUNDATION NOTE CARDS - NEW! 2012
The Will Steger Foundation has created a new set of 10 dramatic photo cards for 2012 to showcase the 2008 Ellesmere Island Expedition, the 2007 Baffin Island Expedition, WSF's Emerging Leader Program, and images from Will Steger's Eyewitness Tours.
Donor Appreciation Event
As a Will Steger Foundation supporter, you are invited to join us for a breakfast (cost is $10) and short program. Hear from Will Steger and Will Steger Foundation staff on recent accomplishments and plans for the future.
Clean Air: The New Civil Rights Struggle
Will Steger Foundation is teaming up with Sierra Club and cultural groups from the University of Minnesota to host a discussion focused on cultural, health, and policy perspectives on clean air on February 29th at noon.
Celebrating another great year!
Letter from the Executive Director
With the end of 2011 approaching, it’s a natural time to express our gratitude, to reflect on this past year’s achievements, and lay the groundwork for the year ahead. Our 2010-2011 Annual Report is complete, and with eight-more pages than last year, thanks to more supporters and an incredible list of accomplishments, we want to acknowledge our friends that made this all possible.
I want to thank our dedicated Board of Directors and incredible staff, who not only go above and beyond what is asked of them with their time, but also contribute financially. I am proud to share that we have 100% financial participation from our entire team. We are all passionate about the issue we work on and our approach. We are a unique organization that combines education, youth leadership and advocacy to advance solutions to climate change.
Thanks to your support and interest in our work, you have also made a tremendous impact on hundreds of educators, youth leaders and defended policies that protect our health, environment and advance the clean energy economy.
We have big plans for 2012, such as revamping our climate education resources, increasing our outreach in Minnesota and across the Midwest, and so much more. We’ll need you again to make this a reality. Right now, however we just want to say thank you.
Sincerely,
Nicole Rom, Executive Director
Financial Information
Charities Review Council
Will Steger Foundation has been awarded the Charities Review Council’s “Meets All Standards” Seal indicating that we meete all sixteen of the Council’s Accountability Standards in the areas of Public Disclosure, Governance, Financial Activity and Fundraising.
You can read our full report at our page on on the Charities Review Council web site.
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GoodSearch
Search the web with GoodSearch and benefit the Will Steger Foundation: You can donate a few cents per day to WSF without spending a dime. GoodSearch.com is a search engine that donates half its revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. You use it just as you would any search engine. Just go to GoodSearch.com and enter "Will Steger Foundation" as the charity you want to support.
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GuideStar
The Will Steger Foundation is recognized as a charitable 501(c)3 organization by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and is incorporated and registered as a charity in the State of Minnesota. Read more about the Foundation's financial and other activities at GUIDESTAR, a database of more than a million nonprofit organizations.
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Will Steger Foundation Annual Reports
Published each fiscal year, the Will Steger Foundation Annual Reports detail our accomplishments throughout the year, financial information and contributions.
In-Kind Support
Provide In-kind Support
Every year, in-kind products and services provided to the Will Steger Foundation allows us to grow our programs. The following are a few categories of products and services always needed to help us conduct our work:
- Office supplies
- Food and travel services
- Legal services
- PR/marketing support
- Database management
- Event management
- Corporate/business outreach and sponsorship
- Development support
Volunteer Opportunies
As a community-based organization, the Will Steger Foundation is dependent on volunteers who are dedicated to our mission. We are grateful for the enthusiasm and hard work of our nearly 50 volunteers, who make invaluable contributions to our success.
- Volunteer or intern with our K-12 Education and Emerging Leaders Programs
- Volunteer in our office by providing administrative and development support
- Provide seasonal project/event support
For information about volunteering, please visit our volunteer page or contact Janet Brown/Office Manager.
WSF Wishlist
Please consider one of the fully tax-deductible donation items below:
- iPad for individual donor presentations
- LCD projector - 2010 or later for group presentations
- Macbook or Macbook Pro laptop - 2010 or later
- Bookshelf - light color wood
- Small dorm-size refrigerator
- Small energy-efficient space heater
Work Place Giving
Workplace and State Campaigns
You can also give to the Will Steger Foundation via many state and employer workplace campaigns. Our identification number changes from campaign to campaign so look for us under “W" for Will Steger Foundation. We are proud members of:
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| 1% for the Planet Campaign | Minnesota Environmental Fund (WSF Press Release) |
We are also already registered within the nonprofit index at the following local companies:

Ameriprise Financial- Community Shares Thomson Reuters
Employer Matching
Many employers sponsor programs to match charitable contributions made by their employees. Talk to your employer and make your donation go twice as far.
If interested, complete and sign a matching gift form from your employer and send it with your donation to:
Will Steger Foundation
2801 21st Avenue South, Suite 110
Minneapolis, MN 55407
Please email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you still cannot find us, or if you have any questions about workplace giving.
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