In 1999 Middlebury College received a grant from The Starr Foundation to support the Middlebury Schools Abroad. In recognition of this grant the schools were renamed the C.V. Starr-Middlebury Schools Abroad.
The Starr Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to supporting education, health and human services, arts and culture, and international programs. Headquartered in New York City, the foundation has strong ties to New England and has supported a variety of financial aid and other programs at a number of Vermont institutions, including Middlebury College.
The Starr Foundation is named for Cornelius Vander Starr, founder of the American International Group Inc. (AIG). Begun by Mr. Starr in Shanghai in 1919, AIG has grown to become a leading international insurance organization.