The Education Initiatives category is currently closed to organizations not previously funded by the Yawkey Foundations.

Yawkey Higher Education Scholarship Programs

The Yawkey Foundations support several scholarship programs designed to help talented and motivated disadvantaged young people meet the rising costs of undergraduate education.

The largest of these programs, the Yawkey Scholars Program, is a need-based scholarship program that gives preference to students who have had a significant, meaningful experience through participation in a mentoring program or ongoing mentoring relationship during high school. Over the past five years, the Yawkey Scholars Program has provided nearly $4.3 million in tuition support to more than 100 scholars as they pursue a higher education. The Yawkey Foundations are extremely proud to support such a promising group of young adults.

The Yawkey Scholars Program is administered by The Philanthropic Initiative (TPI). For more information, including the guidelines and application, please visit www.tpi.org/resources/yawkey_scholars_program.aspx

Adult Education Programs

The Yawkey Foundations support colleges, universities, and organizations that offer education programs that prepare disadvantaged adults/non-traditional adult students for non-sectarian career advancement or further higher education. Eligible program types include undergraduate bachelor, associate, or certificate programs; adult basic education; and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programs. This program serves organizations with demonstrated experience and outcomes serving disadvantaged adults, particularly single parents.

Since 2005, the Yawkey Foundations have awarded $3 million in scholarship awards and program support through this program.

Middle and Secondary School Scholarship Programs

The Yawkey Foundations provide tuition aid support to private, accredited middle and secondary schools that provide a very high percentage of tuition aid to students and have a high percentage of graduates who go on to higher education. These scholarship programs are designed for schools that offer educational opportunities for economically disadvantaged students.

Since 2005, the Yawkey Foundations have awarded more than $3 million in scholarship awards to middle and secondary schools through this program.

Youth Academic Development Programs

The Yawkey Foundations support organizations that provide educational programs to at-risk middle and high school-age children who need them most. Through these programs, students have the opportunity to enhance skills in writing, reading, mathematics, and public speaking which are crucial for academic success. This program serves organizations that have demonstrated success in increasing academic achievement and in encouraging positive relationships with adult mentors.