The Leaders Rising Campaign is a transformative fundraising effort dedicated to expanding Alzar School’s campuses, enhancing the student experience, and securing a strong financial future. Since its launch, the campaign has fueled campus growth in Idaho and Patagonia, improved student and staff lives, and has advanced key infrastructure projects, including a new main classroom building in Chile. With our $4.5M goal within reach, we invite our community to join us in crossing the finish line and celebrating this milestone achievement together.
The Leaders Rising Campaign has played a pivotal role in transforming Alzar’s Idaho campus, ensuring it continues to provide a rich, immersive experience for students and staff. A defining moment came in early 2021, when Alzar School seized a once-in-a-generation opportunity to acquire the 268-acre property, tripling the size of our campus and safeguarding its natural beauty. This “Southern Reach,” as we call it, dramatically expanded the outdoor classrooms spaces available to our community.
Alzar’s Idaho campus now features more than 2.1 miles of river frontage and the expansion has already proven invaluable—offering new trails, expanded programming areas, and a crucial wildlife corridor. We have done important master planning and design work for an expanded road that will make the expansive campus truly accessible. Thanks to generous supporters, we have also added and enhanced faculty housing, upgrading kitchens and remodeling residences to better serve our dedicated educators. Sustainability has remained a key focus, with the installation of a cutting-edge AquaKlear water filtration system, ensuring safe and sustainable drinking water for the entire campus. Additionally, the expansion of the Perimeter Trail now provides over six miles of interconnected trails, enriching students’ outdoor experiences and deepening their connection to the Rocky Mountains.
As we near the final stretch of the campaign, these enhancements to our Idaho home away from home will continue to shape Alzar’s future, supporting transformative learning and leadership for generations to come.
Since acquiring the land for Base Patagonia in 2019, Alzar has worked diligently to establish a fully functional, immersive campus in the heart of Chilean Patagonia. With over $2M invested in housing, classrooms, and essential infrastructure, the campus has become a thriving hub for student learning and cultural exchange. Recent additions, such as three new staff housing units, have enhanced both student and faculty living conditions, allowing for expanded office space and greater collaboration. The construction of the Arroyo Arbolito Quincho, a multi-purpose gathering space, honors Chilean traditions while doubling as a flexible classroom and communal hub (it’s a fantastic, welcoming space to host traditional community asados = barbecues). Increased access to Lago Atravesado—including a new floating dock, a rope swing, and a motorized boat—has transformed the lake into a dynamic setting for leadership and outdoor education.
The Lodge at Base Patagonia stands as the capstone project for the Leaders Rising Campaign, providing much-needed classroom space, offices, and a central gathering area for students and staff. With construction underway, we are on track for a December 2025 grand opening. This milestone will cement Base Patagonia as a world-class educational facility, ensuring Alzar students continue to grow as leaders while immersed in one of the most breathtaking environments on Earth.
“Resiliency & Resourcefulness” is one of Alzar’s 10 Elements of Leadership, and speaks to a leader’s ability to respond to challenging times and to seize opportunities. Alzar has gotten where it is by being able to weather difficult moments and by taking on exciting new endeavors. This fund positions Alzar to be able navigate the pressures that face small nonprofits with grace. Since the Leaders Rising campaign launched, the school has faced a global pandemic, an enrollment spike of 33%, significant inflation, and more. Additionally, this initiative strengthens Alzar’s commitment to being an inclusive school by allowing endowment funds to further support student financial aid, making transformational experiences accessible to a broader range of students.
Additionally, because of this fund, Alzar has had the confidence to seize unexpected opportunities that arose, such as purchasing the adjacent ranch in Idaho, adding Confluences River Expeditions to our portfolio (and expanding the audience we can reach with our work), and starting a gap program. Refilling this fund will provide the school with the financial flexibility in the future to pursue new initiatives that come along.
The Leaders Rising Campaign is not just about reaching a financial target; it is a comprehensive effort that integrates Alzar’s Empowering Leaders Annual Fund to support day-to-day operations. From the campaign’s, and school’s, inception, this annual fund has played a critical role in sustaining the program’s activities and ensuring its growth. While the goal of the Leaders Rising Campaign is to raise $4.5M, the broader impact includes strengthening the foundation for ongoing financial health and engagement with our community. By aligning the campaign with the Annual Fund, we’ve set up a sustainable model for continued support and have created a legacy that will guide future fundraising practices. This initiative ensures that Alzar remains strong and resilient as we move beyond the campaign’s conclusion, fostering deeper relationships and long-term engagement with our supporters.
There are many ways you can contribute to the Leaders Rising campaign. Thank you for considering how your philanthropy can propel this campaign to success. For most individuals or families who would like to make a significant contribution to the campaign, we invite you to schedule a call with our team so we can best align your generosity with the aims of the campaign.
However, if you’re ready to give now, there are a few options:
A quick and simple way to contribute to the school, this online platform accepts credit cards. You can give at any time from anywhere you can connect to the internet. Donate now.
Checks can be mailed to the following address:
Alzar School
PO Box 1609
Cascade, Idaho 83611
If you prefer to give securities, IRA deductions, or make a planned gift, please email our Director of Advancement or call at 833.862.5927 ext. 704.