Carr Foundation to fund African trip for student

Greg Carr has selected Tony Stewart to coordinate a 2025-26 academic year project that offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a North Idaho College (NIC) student. 

Beginning with the 2025 fall semester, any full-time NIC student who will be 18 or older by May 2026 is eligible to apply. The selected student will travel next summer to Mozambique’s Gorongosa National Park for a monthlong, all-expenses-paid educational experience, funded by the Gregory C. Carr Foundation. 

“My friend, Greg Carr, is one of the most generous philanthropists in the United States,” Stewart said. 

Stewart said Carr has long financially supported human rights. He granted $1 million to the Human Rights Education Foundation; gave a large marble slab carved out of Vermont marble inscribed with the preamble to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to the city of Coeur d’Alene; $20,000 to the University of Idaho to fund a lecture in honor of the late Catholic priest Father Bill Wassmuth; and provides an annual gift to the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations.

"Over several decades, Carr has been most generous to the people of northern Idaho," Stewart said.

Once the crown jewel of African parks, Gorongosa suffered severe ecological and human devastation during three decades of civil war. Wildlife was nearly wiped out, the ecosystem was heavily damaged and the 200,000 residents of the park were left in poverty. 

The park’s future looked bleak until Idaho native and tech entrepreneur Greg Carr stepped in. In 2008, he entered into a 20-year agreement with the Mozambican government to restore the park. Since then, the Gregory C. Carr Foundation has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to bring the park and its people back to life, reintroducing wildlife, building schools and clinics and creating sustainable jobs. 

During the monthlong stay, the NIC student will work with Carr’s staff to study and experience the restoration of Gorongosa. The student will visit health clinics and educational facilities established by the Carr Foundation, with a special focus on girls’ schools and clubs. Currently, the literacy rate for girls in Mozambique is just 28%, compared to 60% for boys. 

The student will also engage with scientists working on conservation and environmental projects, observe the growing populations of lions, elephants and other wildlife, explore agricultural developments such as coffee farming, meet with wildlife rangers, attend cultural events and connect with the people of the park. 

Stewart said the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations will provide an additional $500 to the selected student.

Three to five finalists will be invited to interview with a selection committee. Each runner-up will receive a $500 award from the KCTFHR. 

After returning, the selected student will be required to submit a paper reflecting on the experience. 

Dr. Nick Swayne, president of North Idaho College, said he supported the project.

Full-time NIC students can apply online using their student ID. The application deadline is Oct. 17. 

“Now Greg is once again honoring North Idaho College through this award to an NIC student,” Stewart said.