The Future Corporation was established by the Premier of Saskatchewan to assist Saskatchewan residents, provincial industries, and the province as a whole to focus attention on the future and Saskatchewan's participation in the global community. Its mission was to support communities and groups across Saskatchewan in developing projects and activities which would enable them to manage change and to plan for the future. Areas of interest included Education, Environment, Resources, Agriculture, Technology and Arts and Culture. Grant Programs were established in 3 areas: Innovative Projects designed to generate tangible and social benefits, Arts and Culture Initiatives, and Strategic Initiatives. The goal was to sponsor 150 to 200 projects in 1990.

Project applications were reviewed and approved a board of directors. The Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation was awarded a grant of $150, 000 to establish a foundation for research into innovative teaching. This foundation became known in 1991 as the Dr. Stirling McDowell Foundation for Research into Teaching.