Equipping Young Leaders Through Education and Support

The Gallagher Foundation provides full undergraduate scholarships for students with financial need in Mexico (ITESM – Tecnológico de Monterrey) and South Africa (University of Cape Town). Gallagher Scholars are selected not only for academic excellence, but for their character, leadership potential, and desire to improve their communities.

From the moment scholars are selected, they are surrounded by mentorship, guidance, support, and opportunities to grow at every stage of their academic and professional journey. As founder Jerry Gallagher said, “Once a Gallagher Scholar, always a Gallagher Scholar.” The Gallagher Scholar Lifecycle reflects our commitment to supporting, connecting, and developing Scholars during their studies and throughout their lives.

• The Develop Phase focuses on Scholars during their university years, supporting academic growth, community, and well-being.
• The Launch Phase supports Scholars in their final two years of university through two years post-graduation. The focus is on preparing for careers, making connections, and ensuring a smooth transition to post-graduate life.
• The Connect Phase strengthens community among Graduated Scholars through knowledge-sharing, leadership growth, and engagement with Current Scholars.

• Financial: The Gallagher Foundation scholarship is a full scholarship covering tuition, accommodations and meals, spending allowance, books and supplies, a laptop, and an allowance to travel home.

• Academic: The Gallagher Foundation supports our scholars through regular check-ins with the Country Director and referrals to academic support if or when needed. Buddy Scholars and Gallagher Mentors also provide support to our scholars during their university career.

• Wellness: The health and wellness of our scholars is very important to the Gallagher Foundation. The Gallagher Foundation provides a mental health program which includes regular check-ins from the Country Director, group wellness coaching each semester, and private counseling for scholars who need additional mental health support.

• Career: The Gallagher Foundation supports our scholars both before and after they graduate, connecting them with the resources they need to help them succeed and with a community of graduated scholars to support them after graduation.

• Leadership Development: From the moment they enter the program and throughout their post-graduate years, scholars are provided leadership development through small gatherings, leadership summits, mentoring relationships and other opportunities.

The Gallagher Foundation believes that young educated leaders will bring peace and prosperity to the world.

The Foundation supports the visions of young leaders to positively impact their developing countries through college scholarships and membership with a community of scholars and alumni who share the same commitments.  

Our scholars possess five traits that set them apart as distinguished leaders in their countries and in the world as a whole. Gallagher Foundation Scholars are: Visionary, Ethical, Tolerant, Diligent and Committed.  

Founded by Ellen and Jerry Gallagher in 2001, the Gallagher Foundation exists to support the visions of young leaders to impact their developing countries through the provision of college scholarships and the membership within a community of Scholars and alumni who share the same commitments. The first group of Scholars started in South Africa in 2002. In 2004 the program expanded to Mexico and then to Turkey in 2005.

In 2014, Megan Prindiville became President of the Gallagher Foundation upon the passing of Jerry Gallagher. Megan previously served as Director of Administration and Vice President of the organization.

Jerry left a strong legacy with the Foundation and his family. Ellen Gallagher and the three Gallagher children all play a central role in the Foundation. Ellen continues to have involvement with the Foundation and the scholars.

1941-2014

"What is most important in life is that I can look at myself in the mirror and know that I tried to do the right thing." 

Jerry Gallagher was an extraordinary man who loved to build things. Jerry had a successful career helping build many companies. He and his wife, Ellen, built a strong, loving family.  Included in his family were the Gallagher Scholars. Jerry loved to interview potential candidates to hear about their vision for their country and the role they would play in it. One of his great joys was talking with the scholars and graduated scholars.