The Michaels Organization Educational Foundation, a non-profit affiliate of The Michaels Organization, has awarded a record-breaking $1,834,500 in scholarships for the 2023/2024 academic school year to 242 residents living at affordable and military living communities owned or managed by The Michaels Organization.
The Michaels Organization is a national leader in residential real estate and the largest private-sector owner of affordable housing in the country.
“We are committed to giving back to the people and communities we serve,” said Michaels’ Chief Executive Officer John J. O’Donnell. “It is a privilege to offer our residents the opportunity to further their education and make their dreams for success a reality.”
Since 1991, the educational foundation has provided grants to residents to use toward their pursuit of higher education at any accredited college, university, or vocational training program in the nation. With this year’s new record, the foundation has successfully awarded more than $14 million to thousands of residents.
Scholarships are awarded annually, and students may reapply each year of their education for continuing grants.
Selina is an incoming senior at the University of California, Davis and a third-time Michaels Scholar who plans to use her award to continue studying Environmental Horticulture and Urban Forestry in order to implement a smaller carbon footprint. Jasmine Sepulveda, also a third-time Scholar, is currently studying Human Services at Lackawanna College with plans to become a cardiologist, inspired by her family history of heart-related conditions.
Among first-time recipients are Brandon and Marissa – husband and wife Scholars from The Villages at Fort Irwin. Marissa has a photography business and is studying marketing to further her desire to partner with companies that have strong sustainability goals. Brandon is a Critical Care Flight Paramedic in the U.S. Army and hopes to become an Air Force Pilot by continuing on to the USAF Officer Training School.
All educational foundation funds are raised through voluntary contributions by companies and private individuals throughout The Michaels Organization’s business network. All donations are then matched $2 for every $1 dollar by The Michaels Organization’s founder and chairman, Michael Levitt and his wife, Pat Levitt.
Celebrations for this year’s affordable and military recipients will be held in cities around the country this summer. A similar program for residents of Michaels’ student living communities will begin accepting applications in September 2023.
About The Michaels Educational Foundation
The Michaels Educational Foundation is a non-profit affiliate of The Michaels Organization, established to administer scholarships to Michaels residents. The scholarship program was the first of its kind in the affordable housing industry when it was created and since its inception, the program has expanded to include residents of Michaels’ military and student living communities and is monumental to The Michaels Organization’s mission of Creating Communities that Lift Lives.
Published June, 18, 2023