June 29, 2021

WACA Announces $10 Million Endowment Gift
from Board Director Carlos Alvarez
The World Affairs Councils of America is delighted to announce to Council colleagues nationwide the largest charitable contribution in WACA’s 35-year history.

Carlos and Malú Alvarez of San Antonio, Texas, will contribute $10 million to establish a new endowment for WACA, the Washington, D.C.-based national nonprofit association that serves and represents 90 World Affairs Council member organizations across the United States. This unprecedented gift was announced at WACA’s Board of Directors Meeting on Tuesday, June 29.

“I’ve been involved with WACA as national board director for 20 years. I believe that the mission of WACA and the Council network – to educate, inspire, and engage the public in world affairs – is more vital than ever,” said Mr. Alvarez. “I’m excited to support the long-term future of the organization in this way.”

Mr. and Mrs. Alvarez have generously supported WACA in the past, particularly its efforts to engage young people in understanding U.S. foreign policy and global affairs. In 2015, the Alvarez family established an endowment for WACA’s flagship education program, Academic WorldQuest, an annual knowledge competition for high school students nationwide. For over a decade, Mr. Alvarez has also funded full scholarships for hundreds of undergraduate students nominated by World Affairs Councils to attend WACA’s annual 3-day National Conference in Washington, DC.

“Today is a great day for the World Affairs Councils of America. Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of Carlos and Malú Alvarez, WACA now has a much stronger foundation from which to grow our services to our nationwide Council network,” said WACA Chairman Glenn Creamer. “On behalf of WACA and my fellow Board members, thank you Carlos and Malú for this truly transformative gift.”