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Celebrating a Decade of Impact: The International Gifted Consortium

The International Gifted Consortium (IGC), known for its Research Center for Highly–Profoundly Gifted, proudly marks ten transformative years of services dedicated to some of the most vulnerable populations in education. Established in 2015, the IGC has made considerable strides, impacting the lives of over 100,000 children, families, educators, and professionals across various countries, including the United States, Australia, and Europe.

The initiative's core mission is to ensure that highly–profoundly gifted individuals receive the necessary recognition and support that they often miss in traditional educational frameworks. Through groundbreaking research and publications, including a pivotal literature review in 2020 and a significant study released in 2024, the IGC highlights an alarming gap in the early identification of these exceptional students. Such oversight can lead to emotional and educational neglect; indeed, studies indicate that only 0.13% of children — a mere 13 out of every 10,000 — fall into this gifted category. This underscored the urgent need for change.

The Importance of Support for Gifted Students

As described by Dr. Vanessa Reineke Wood, Co-founder and President of the IGC, “These are our future change agents.” By appealing to visionary donors for legacy support, the consortium aims to foster and sustain programs that will positively affect generations of gifted youth.

Dr. Reineke Wood emphasizes that giftedness encompasses more than just considerable intellectual ability; it involves a spectrum of emotional, social, and physical development which, when unaddressed, can give rise to severe emotional distress among these children. The need for proper identification and provision of adequate support cannot be overstressed. Too often, children characterized by unique developmental patterns face misunderstandings or misdiagnoses, which can lead to displacement and disengagement from academic pursuits.

Collaborative Efforts to Drive Change

Through partnerships with esteemed institutions like Johns Hopkins University and the University of Antwerp, the IGC is able to provide open-access research and essential training resources for educators, psychologists, and health professionals. Their approach embraces the multifaceted nature of giftedness, focusing upon cognitive, emotional, and social dimensions that contribute holistically to a child’s development.

The organization works diligently to counteract the risks associated with misidentification and lack of suitable educational methods, providing a foundation for gifted individuals to thrive rather than merely survive in various educational settings.

A Call to Action

As the IGC looks toward the future, they are extending a heartfelt invitation to potential legacy donors who can help them continue this important work. Donors will have the opportunity to become integral figures in shaping the future of gifted education by ensuring that their unique needs are attended to.

For those interested in contributing or learning more about available resources, the IGC encourages visits to their website at GiftedConsortium.org. Additionally, the publication of their first comprehensive book titled Highly—Profoundly Gifted Universal Understandings and Holistic Approaches is set for release on December 1, 2025, which serves as a cornerstone in understanding the complexities of giftedness.

About the International Gifted Consortium

The International Gifted Consortium strives to deepen the understanding, identification, and support mechanisms available for highly–profoundly gifted children and adolescents. Their efforts extend to professionals and families alike, with the aim of securing well-being for these unique individuals worldwide. By providing educational opportunities and developing tailored educational programs, the IGC plays a critical role in nurturing the potential of these exceptional young minds.

In conclusion, as the IGC navigates the next decade, their focus remains clear: to ensure that every highly–profoundly gifted child has the opportunity to excel in an environment that recognizes and nurtures their extraordinary abilities.