Scholarship America
| Founded | 1958 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Irving A. Fradkin |
| Founded at | Fall River, Massachusetts |
| Type | Educational |
| Location |
|
Key people | Mike Nylund (President & CEO) |
| Website | https://scholarshipamerica.org |
Scholarship America is a Minnesota-based American philanthropic organization that designs, administers and manages scholarship and emergency aid assistance to support students facing financial barriers to higher education.
History
[edit]Scholarship American was founded in 1958 by Irving A. Fradkin, an optometrist in Fall River, Massachusetts. It was initially named Dollars for Scholars before being officially chartered and incorporated as a 501(c)(3) organization under the name of Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of America (CSFA) in May 1961. During its early years, CSFA's headquarters moved from Fall River to Boston, and then to Concord, New Hampshire. It opened its first regional office in St. Peter, Minnesota, in 1976, thanks to a grant from the Bush Foundation.[1]
Also in 1976, CSFA expanded from its work with community-based organizations with the establishment of Scholarship Management Services (SMS), a branch of the organization designed to manage corporate scholarships. The Toro company of Minnesota became SMS's first client.[2]
In 1984, the organization's board voted to move CSFA's headquarters to St. Peter, MN, where they remain today. That year, CSFA reached the $5 million mark in terms of scholarship funds distributed. Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, the organization grew rapidly and launched its Collegiate Partner initiative, in which colleges agreed to maximize CSFA-related aid to students on their campuses, and ScholarShop program, a junior high and high school college-readiness curriculum.[3] In September 2001, CSFA created the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund after the September 11 attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C. to benefit the dependents of those killed or permanently disabled in the attacks, rescue and cleanup efforts. The fund raised more than $100 million with President Bill Clinton and Senator Bob Dole as co-chairs of the fundraising campaign.[4][5]
On January 1, 2003, CSFA changed its name to Scholarship America.[6] Scholarship America also administers several special scholarship initiatives, including the Dreamkeepers Emergency Financial Aid program for community college students.[7]
As of 2025, the organization has awarded over $5.7 billion to 3.2 million students.[8]
Scholarship America's President and CEO is Mike Nylund.[9]
Recognition
[edit]Scholarship America has been highly rated[10] by Charity Navigator for more than a decade.[11] In 2024, Forbes ranked Scholarship America as the 78th largest U.S. charity (out of 100).[12]
The Chronicle of Philanthropy recognizes Scholarship America as one of America's largest nonprofits as part of its Philanthropy 400. In 2014, Scholarship America ranked #158 on the list.[13] As of 2013, the Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal recognizes Scholarship America as Minnesota's second-largest charity.[14]
Katie Couric, a supporter of Scholarship America,[15] invited the organization to appear on her talk show, Katie, on two occasions: to celebrate its founder, Fradkin,[16] and to announce the first class of Dream Award recipients.[17]
See also
[edit]- Jefferson Dollars for Scholars, chapter of Scholarship America
References
[edit]- ^ Fradkin, Irving A. (2002). Dollars for Scholars: The Autobiography of Dr. Irving A. Fradkin, Founder of Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of America, Inc. Branden Books. pp. 83–91. ISBN 978-0-8283-2080-1.
- ^ Fradkin, Irving A.; Michael J. Vieira (2002). "The Foundation is Set". The Autobiography of Dr. Irving A. Fradkin, Founder; Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of America, Inc. with Michael J. Vieira (2nd ed.). Branden Books. p. 89. ISBN 0-8283-2080-2.
- ^ Vance, Daniel. "Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of America". Connect Business Magazine. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
- ^ "Dole and Clinton on Scholarship Fund". ABCNEWS. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
- ^ Ishayi, Edna. "Foundation Sends Kin of 9/11 Victims to College". NYTimes.com. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
- ^ "Families for Freedom Scholarship Fund | Scholarship Database | University of Washington". new.expo.uw.edu. Archived from the original on 4 October 2024. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
- ^ Ishayi, Edna. "Foundation Sends Kin of 9/11 Victims to College". NYTimes.com. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
- ^ "Scholarship Platform Facts: Bold.org vs. Scholarship America 2025". bold.org. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
- ^ mindgrub (8 March 2022). "Introducing Mike Nylund, Scholarship America's New President & CEO". Scholarship America. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
- ^ "Scholarship America". Forbes. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
- ^ "The Philanthropy 400". The Chronicle of Philanthropy. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
- ^ "The List: Civic Nonprofits - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal". Bizjournals.com. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
- ^ "Scholarship America To Receive Portion of Proceeds from Katie Couric's Book". Scholarship America. ScholarshipAmerica.org. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
- ^ "Special Thanks to the Man Behind "Scholarship America"". katiecouric.com. Archived from the original on 30 March 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
- ^ "Meet The Man Behind Scholarship America". katiecouric.com. Archived from the original on 9 July 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2014.