Letter from the Director of Charitable Giving

Dear Delegates, Sponsors, and Guests of GSMUN XXVII,

GSMUN is all about driving change — empowering our delegates to be future leaders who will improve the world, while making an immediate impact in our community through charitable giving. Before this year’s committees take delegates around the world and across time, I’d like to draw your attention to a cause that affects us right here and right now.It is my distinct honor as Director of Charitable Giving to officially present the Blue Sky Fund as the charity for GSMUN XXVII.

Our community offers a vast amount of beautiful outdoor spaces that are too often taken for granted. Access to outdoor environments can have a lasting impact on our world and a child’s life. The Blue Sky Fund is dedicated to providing transformation experiences for Richmond area youth through outdoor education. Addressing issues of historical exclusionary practices and policies, the Blue Sky Fund aims to advance equity in the outdoors. Starting as a scholarship program for a summer camp in 2003, the Blue Sky Fund has grown towards a nonprofit that develops sustainable operations that make a lasting impact on Richmond youth. 

Each year, over 2,000 youth participate in their programs and over 40,000 hours are spent exposing kids to outdoor adventures, leadership skills, environmental stewardship, and resilience. With programs reaching elementary to high school students, the Blue Sky Fund’s mission makes a difference in the Richmond community. The Blue Sky Fund is doing amazing work, and we hope for your support in raising $10,000 for their cause.

Blue Sky holds a special meaning to GSMUN as we all experience the benefits of our beautiful Richmond outdoor community. This year, GSMUN hopes to donate more than $10,000 to Blue Sky by the end of the conference to support outdoor education and our green spaces in Virginia. It’s not a goal we can achieve alone. We need your direct support as well as your fundraising efforts to continue the GSMUN tradition of contributing to worthy causes. 

We’ve been working hard to continue our conference’s tradition of making impactful donations to our partner charity, and your support from now all the way through the conference weekend will be crucial to our efforts. There are many ways to learn more about Blue Sky, and even more ways to make a difference. At our conference in March, we’ll have a representative from the Blue Sky Fund speak firsthand about the organization’s mission and impact, as well as opportunities for you to give through merchandise, snack sales, and fundraising incentives. Until then, please head to www.gsmun.net/charity to get involved and donate today. 

Thank you all so much for your support,

Luna Forlano

Director of Charitable Giving

GSMUN XXVII