Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy announces the launch of a $5 million endowment campaign as part of the celebration saluting the school’s 10th anniversary. 

Established in 2009 by passionate academic visionaries, CGLA is a single-sex, public charter school, serving girls in grades 6-12. According to executive director, Elaine Swafford, the school has navigated past hardships to become one of Chattanooga’s most respected and distinctive educational resources.

“CGLA is positioned to explore the concept of 'new' relative to preparing girls for the future. We are expanding and imagining what can be possible in the next 10 years,” said Dr. Swafford.

The ideal of providing all girls in Chattanooga access to an exceptionally robust educational experience was the catalyst that sparked CGLA into a reality. “Ten years ago, CGLA’s founders decided that this ideal needed their advocacy and leadership,” said Dr. Swafford. “Today, CGLA’s board of directors brings a unified, conscientious voice to establishing an endowment that will safeguard the school’s future. Like the founders, the board is steadfast and intentional about nurturing the innate talents and curious minds of young girls.”

As a permanent source of revenue, endowment income will directly impact students by allowing CGLA to continually enrich and expand the learning experience. Specifically, these monies will ensure the school has the financial flexibility to maintain state-of-the-art, technologically- sophisticated classrooms, offer a comprehensive schedule of enrichment programs, hire outstanding academic instructors, and respond to the individual needs of every student, said officials. 

Sue Anne Wells, CGLA co-founder and current board member, considers the endowment campaign an investment that sustains the school’s legacy for the students of today and tomorrow. “Reflecting on our 10-year history, I am proud of our accomplishments and feel exceedingly enthusiastic about our potential," said Ms. Wells. "CGLA has become an important community asset: an educational resource where intellectually challenging, experiential learning is developing young girls into capable, confident, responsible citizens.”

Ms. Wells continues by emphasizing the far-reaching benefits of investing in CGLA’s mission. “Education is a currency from which we all benefit and prosper. CGLA is graduating students who feel hopeful and inspired. They are poised to fully participate in the community as productive adults; therefore, creating an endowment to secure CGLA’s future is an investment that will strengthen and enhance our entire community.” 

For more information about donating to the endowment campaign, contact Catherine Clifford, director of development at 468-4105 or CatherineClifford@cglaonline.com.

For more information about CGLA, visit the school’s website at CGLAonline.com.