Scholarships and Donations

The Central Intelligence Retirees’ Association (CIRA) is comprised of current and former  employees who understand the sacrifices made by working at the Agency.  CIRA – in collaboration with the NWFCU Foundation – created the CIRA Scholarship Program in recognition of the demands placed on CIA families and the importance of supporting the educational goals of the children and grandchildren of current and former CIA employees.

Pictured at left:  2024 Awardees and Guests.  Photo by Lydia Poindexter.

CIRA is very proud of our Burton Gerber Scholarship Program.  Over the last 17 years we have awarded over $320K in scholarships to 102 highly deserving students. The program has been so successful that this year we will award up to 10 – $6K scholarships; up from 7 – $5K scholarships last year.

We received 123 applications this year and are in the evaluation process now.  CIRA members volunteer to be evaluators and the process will be complete at the end of March.  Our applicants are exceptional individuals and reviewing their applications is a pleasure.  Stay tuned for the 2026 Scholarship Winners announcement and an invite to the breakfast to celebrate them!

Please consider making a direct donation to support the Scholarship Program.  When you use the button below, you will be taken to the NWFCU Foundation site to complete your donation.