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Whitney Benefits
Foundation Mission Statement:
It is the purpose of Whitney Benefits Board of Trustees
to carry out the wishes of Mr. Edward A. Whitney, as outlined in his
Last Will and Testament, dated May 9, 1917. It is the
intention of the Board of Trustees to act in a fiscally responsible
manner, while responding to the needs of its beneficiaries and our
communities.
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What is Whitney
Benefits?
Whitney Benefits, Inc.
is a non-profit educational foundation created by the Last Will and
Testament of the late Mr.
Edward A. Whitney of
Sheridan County, Sheridan, Wyoming, who passed away in 1917.
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Who are the
Whitney Trustees and are they paid for their work?
To view a list of all
past and present Whitney
Trustees, see About Whitney.
Mr. Whitney
specifically stated in his will that “the corporation trustees, acting
as such, shall receive no pay for their services, as it seems to me
that the selection and honor of serving on such a board for such
purpose would, with the opportunity given to benefit the youth of their
own county, attract men of ability and influence who would find the
work a labor of love, so to speak, and would willingly fill the office
of advisors and directors of the paid working officials into whose
hands they commit the actual working out of their plans and
instructions.” All Whitney Trustees are appointed by the
Sheridan County School Boards.
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How do I know if I
qualify for an interest free Whitney Benefits Student Loan?
Whitney Benefits Interest Free
Student Loans are available to:
- Graduates
of an accredited Sheridan/Johnson County High School.
- Students
who have obtained a GED from a Sheridan/Johnson County High
School or Sheridan College.
- Individuals
who have attended Sheridan/Johnson County Schools for seven years
including two years of high school.
- Individuals
that have had at least seven years of continuous residency in Sheridan
or Johnson County immediately prior to applying for a loan.
OTHER
REQUIREMENTS DO EXIST. For more information about obtaining a
student loan call (307) 674-7303 or send an e-mail
to studentloans@whitneybenefits.org.
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How is the
Whitney Foundation able to fund its programs?
In his will, Mr. Whitney
left his complete estate to the Whitney Benefits Foundation. Currently,
Whitney Benefits, Inc. is diversified in stocks and bonds, water and
mineral resources, properties, and real estate holdings.
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What is Whitney
Benefits currently doing?
Student Loan Program -
Since the inception of the program in 1928
through June 30, 2009, the corporation has loaned 4,981 students
approximately $26,128,283. For
the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2009, Whitney approved interest
free loans totaling $3,432,363.98 to 127 students; 102 students received
loans for the first time, and 25 students had received loans
previously.
Whitney Commons
- Mr. Whitney stated in his will that a
well-rounded activity hub was to be created in the City of Sheridan in
which citizens could find pride and enjoyment. In 2003, the
beautiful 5-acre park was complete and open to the citizens of
Sheridan.
Sheridan
Ice LLC- Sheridan’s community ice rink was completed in 2002
by Whitney Benefits. The rink offers a wide variety of
activities for everyone of all ages. For more information
about the rink visit www.sheridanice.org.
Whitney
Plaza - Whitney Benefits is in the process of planning a development
that combines retail, office, and residential uses as well as hundreds
of parking spaces. The development will include a new public
community square and the building designs are to reflect the Historic
Downtown Main Street and the Historic Railroad District.
Sheridan College
- In Mr. Whitney's will he specifically suggested the establishment of
a college in or near the City of Sheridan, Wyoming from the
corporation's net income, after the worth of the corporation exceeded
$1,000,000. Through the vision and generosity of the late Mr.
Edward A. Whitney, Whitney Benefits has played a pivotal role in
establishing the Sheridan college campus and programs. This
includes the first gift of land on which the campus is built, which now
encompasses 124.11 acres- all gifted by Whitney Benefits. In
total, Whitney Benefits' unmatched generosity and unparallel gifts to
Sheridan College amount to over $22 million.
Sheridan County YMCA -
In 2004, Whitney Benefits pledged to the YMCA a total of $4,250,000
over 5 years, with $2,500,000 to establish an endowment for the YMCA’s
future, and $1,750,000 for current operations and maintenance of the
YMCA building.
City
of Sheridan Water - In 2006, Whitney Benefits gifted the City
of Sheridan, 39,793,141 gallons of water to assist in keeping City
parks and greenways as well as the Whitney Soccer Fields at the YMCA
beautiful and green throughout the spring and summer months.
Bridging
the Community - The Henry A. Burgess Bridge, completed fall 2006, is
located on the current Sheridan Pathway system. The bridge
connects residential neighborhoods and the Sheridan Junior High School
to other community and educational centers such as the Sheridan County
YMCA, Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library, Kendrick Park and Whitney
Commons. It will also serve to enhance the Sheridan Pathways
and provide a safe route to the heart of our community.
Sheridan
County Fulmer Public Library - In December 2004, Whitney
Benefits gifted the Library Foundation $133,000 with the specific
intent of renovating and expanding the library reading room.
Sheridan
Community Education Funding - Whitney has funded two
vocational education grants to the Sheridan Community Education
Foundation. Whitney pledged funding to the
Pro-Start (food service program) and the Health Services Program at all
Sheridan county high schools.
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How do I contact Whitney
Benefits for further information?
You can contact the
Whitney Benefits Foundation by calling (307) 674-7303 or by e-mail.
The Whitney Benefits office is located in the Whitney Center at 245
Broadway in Sheridan, Wyoming.
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