Why give?

Since 1920, an estimated 17,000 students have benefited from Scholarship Foundation assistance.
$2,500,000 is loaned annually, interest-free to 600 students pursuing 2-year, 4-year, technical and graduate degrees.
$200,000 is awarded in grants.
Students are permanent residents of the metropolitan St. Louis area selected on the basis of financial need, satisfactory academic progress, and character.
Foundation resources are devoted 92% to program, 4% to fundraising, and 4% to administrative expenses.
Loans are repaid at a 96% rate, and currently students are repaying a total of $1.4 million annually. Student loan receivables total $14 million .
Education transforms individuals; one in every six contributors to The Scholarship Foundation was once a needy applicant.

What to give?

Contribute to annual campaign by sending a check payable to The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis or arranging for a transfer of stock in the following suggested categories:

$50 Friend
$100 Supporter
$175 Sustainer
$250 Sponsor
$500 Graduate
$1,000 SCHOLAR
$5,000 DEAN
$10,000 and over SPECIAL GIFTS

Contributions at the Scholar Level or above will be specially recognized in our 2005 85 th Anniversary Annual Report.

Establish a Designated Scholar Loan Fund in honor or in memory of a specified individual by contributing $25,000 (payable in five payments over four years) to the reserve fund of The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis. When the initial $5,000 is contributed, the fund becomes operative. Every year, in perpetuity, a student is chosen as the Designated Scholar for the named fund. Students are selected by the Foundation and at the discretion of the donor are asked to correspond with the donor or honoree once each semester. Since the inception of the program in 1981, 174 Designated Scholar Loan Funds have been established.

Make a tribute in honor or in memory by sending a contribution to The Scholarship Foundation or by establishing a drawing account with the Foundation and phoning in your tribute (see below). Tributes are listed in the Foundation's newsletter, which is published twice each year. The Scholarship Foundation will notify the recipient of your gift in the following categories:

$10 - $24 An engraved panel card will be mailed to the donor and the recipient
$24 - $49 An engraved fold over card will be mailed to the donor and the recipient.
$50 and over A personalized letter will be sent by the Executive Director to the donor and the recipient. Tributes at this level receive additional recognition in the Foundation's newsletter.
$2,500 and over A SPECIAL TRIBUTE at this level will include individualized letters of notification to the donor and recipient, a detailed announcement in The Scholarship Foundation newsletter, and the designation of a student for one academic year.

Tribute drawing accounts are created by contributing $50 or more which will be held “on account” at the Foundation for future tributes. Donors then may call in their tributes and acknowledgments are promptly mailed. The Foundation notifies the donor when the balance in the tribute drawing account is nearing “0” so it may be replenished for future use.

Bravo Fund contributions are significant gifts which are dedicated to this quasi-endowment, the earnings of which fund a grant program which recognizes and rewards individuals who have overcome significant obstacles and have accomplished important educational goals in spite of adversity. The students assisted by the Bravo Fund are recipients of the interest-free loan program who have tapped every financial resource possible and still fall far short of what they need to pursue higher education.

Planned giving assures the future of The Scholarship Foundation by directing the contribution of significant assets. The Foundation is pleased to have benefited from: Wills and Bequests; Charitable Gift Annuities; Charitable Lead Trusts; and Charitable Remainder Trusts. For more detailed information, contact the Executive Director at (314)725-7990.

Other ways to give…

Merchandise can be contributed to ScholarShop, an upscale resale shop supporting The Scholarship Foundation's interest-free loan program. ScholarShop invites donations of men's, women's, and children's apparel, designer merchandise, jewelry and accessories, and fine collectibles at TWO locations:

ScholarShop – Clayton
8211 Clayton Rd.
St. Louis, MO 63117
314-725-3456

ScholarShop – Webster Groves
7930 Big Bend Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63119
314-961-2525

Donations are received Monday through Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. and by appointment. ScholarShop keeps careful records of all donations received and provides an itemized statement to each donor after the conclusion of the tax year.

Volunteer by working in ScholarShop at either location. Volunteers work in all aspects of operations, from receiving and processing merchandise to stocking the sales floor and assisting customers. All volunteers receive a 20% discount on purchases as well as the satisfaction of knowing their efforts result in opportunities for area students. To learn more, call the Volunteer Coordinator at (314)725-7990.

Refer a student who needs financial support to The Scholarship Foundation for assistance. Foundation staff and board members give presentations at financial aid nights and community meetings and provide information at college fairs. Give the gift of opportunity by directing a student to visit www.sfstl.org or call (314)725-7990 for further information about the interest-free loan program.

For more information please e-mail us at info@sfstl.org