GIV's Mission

GIV's Vision, Mission, & Values

Vision

GIV sees a future in which young Vermonters believe that they matter, feel connected to a supportive community, and are motivated and skilled to contribute positively to the world.

Mission

GIV’s mission is to help Vermont create productive, empowered, and engaged young adults by reaching out to diverse learners with high-impact, world-class learning opportunities that stimulate their personal growth and expand their aspirations, perspectives, and career horizons.

Values

At GIV, we aim to foster an experience that is...

● Inclusive: We treat all people with dignity and kindness, and prioritize equitable access.
● Student-focused: We make choices based on what’s best for students.
● Innovative: We embrace continuous improvement and bold creativity.
● Playful: We model that learning and growing can be fun!
● Ethical: We integrate responsible practices into all we do.

About GIV

High school is a vital part of young peoples lives. GIV has 45 years of history helping students engage more critically in their high school academics as well as raising the bar on their future horizons.

Institutes are hosted in partnership with Vermont colleges and universities to give students of all backgrounds the opportunity to rehearse their futures. Students sample college life and get a feel for the college campus while being introduced to the experience of having roommates and sharing in a learning community.

After participating in a GIV Institute, alumni are encouraged and empowered to engage in their communities and become involved citizens while the staff and organization continue to support their learning. The experience is an unforgettable learning adventure, and many alumni call the experience “life-changing.”

GIV is ‘Radically Allophiliac!’

What this means at GIV is… Every gender identity, sex, race, color, national origin, physical ability, religion, hometown, personality type, body type, socioeconomic background, political belief, cat lover, dog lover, and zombie lover is welcome at GIV.

We strive to create a community between all of our Institutes where every participant is united by a passion to learn and grow and support each other as human beings.

Each GIV Institute values inclusivity as the basis of its learning community.

Geographic Inclusivity

First and foremost, GIV exists to reach all of the students and young artists in Vermont who seek a learning opportunity like GIV – no matter where they live. In 2024, GIV welcomed students from 84 schools and homeschools spanning every Vermont county. However, Vermont’s most rural counties remain underserved in numbers, and you can help get the message out!

Economic Inclusivity

We believe that the GIV experience should be affordable and accessible to all Vermont families.

Our sliding scale tuition model allows each student and their family to pay an affordable tuition amount based upon their income and special circumstances.

We also offer payment plans and scholarships to ensure that any student who wishes to attend is able to. If you wish to learn more about our payment plans, contact us to let us know about your situation and we can personalize the plan to fit your needs.

Gender & Identity Inclusivity

The Governor’s Institutes of Vermont continues to make gender diversity one of our top outreach and recruitment priorities, while also recognizing the complex and non-binary nature of gender. GIV enthusiastically welcomes and accommodates all gender identities and orientations.

Learn more about GIV's Committment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging by clicking here.

Ethnic & Racial Inclusivity

GIV intentionally seek outs and provides support for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, New American, disabled, financially disadvantaged, and neurodivergent students in our application and enrollment process. We will work directly with these students and their families as needed to ensure our programs are accessible to them, including any necessary translation services, and tuition support through our sliding scale tuition model.

GIV commits to being an inclusive and anti-racist organization. We will uphold these practices, evolving them as our own understanding grows. Through these commitments, we hope to better foster a sense of community and belonging for Vermont youth; to engage and empower them, providing diverse and inclusive mentorship and resources that allow them to flourish.

Learn more about GIV's Committment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging by clicking here.

Physical, Emotional, and Neurological Inclusivity

We constantly strive to make our Institutes more accessible to all Vermont students, regardless of their background or unique physical and emotional needs.

For students with physical disabilities and unique needs, we partner with our college campuses and universities to ensure students have full access to the experience without burden or disruption.

We also welcome students with unique emotional or developmental needs and believe in the value of GIV's non-therapeutic, residential, and community-oriented learning environment.

For more information about our accommodations and support systems, see our resource pages for students, families, and educators.

GIV’s impact stretches out across the State.

Learn more about how GIV supports young people in Vermont with our annual Impact Reports!

Here’s What Some of Our Alumni Have to Say:

“I attend a very small school, so I was excited to see the broad variety of kids at GIV. Being with a large group of similar minded people made me realize that there are a lot of other bright students in the state and that even though sometimes in such a rural setting it seems like you are the only one interested in something, there are more people out there with similar interests.”

“This was one of the best things I have ever done with my summer.”

“It was amazing how many brilliant like-minded people surrounded me. There was never a dull moment and I was never in a room that didn’t contain at least a half a dozen friends.”

“My attendance resulted in the most enjoyable, informative, and enlightening two weeks of my life.”

“GIV was the best educational experience I’ve ever had.”

“GIV definitely opens up your eyes and changes your perspective on things. It gives you a range from 20-100+ new people to meet and talk to. It gives you a chance to express yourself and find yourself if you are lost. GIV is definitely an experience I will never forget. I never expected to have so much fun, yet learn so much in just 6 short days . GIV teaches you to reach out to other people, and to explore something you truly love. Friends are just another benefit. Every single person entering junior year and below… NEEDS to apply to at least one institute before they can’t. Not a suggestion, but a demand. It changes your life for better.”

Want to support GIV in its mission?

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