The Michaels Educational Foundation, a non-profit affiliate of The Michaels Organization, has awarded $1,537,500 in scholarships for the 2022/2023 academic school year to 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.
“At Michaels, we strongly believe our mission of Lifting Lives goes beyond creating housing solutions,” said Michaels’ Chief Executive Officer John J. O’Donnell. “We believe our housing is the foundation for also creating opportunity, and it’s a privilege to offer these scholarships and to be a part of our residents’ educational journeys.”
The scholarship total represents a new record for the educational foundation, which has been providing grants to residents to use towards their pursuit of higher education since 1991. With this year’s awards, the educational foundation has granted a collective $12 million to residents, benefitting thousands of Michaels Scholars over the past 30 years.
The 2022/2023 Michaels Scholars class represents over 200 residents living in Michaels affordable communities across the country, from New Jersey to Hawaii, as well as scholars who live on military bases where Michaels owns and manages the privatized family housing.
The resident scholars will be attending various community colleges and universities across the country. Some scholars will also use their grants to participate in vocational training programs. In addition, residents of senior communities who are pursuing continuing education classes, have also received scholarships.
Many of this year’s scholars are recipients of the education foundation’s scholarships in the past, as all residents are invited and encouraged to apply for grants for every year of their undergraduate education.
Isaac, a scholar from Bethlehem Townhouses in Pennsylvania plans to use his award toward completing his Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering at Cornell University. Additionally, sisters Abigail and Isabell of Fort Belvoir in Virginia will use their awards to continue and complete Bachelor’s Degrees in Health, Physical Education, and Exercise Science at Virginia Commonwealth University and Health Psychology at Eastern Washington University, respectively.
“The Michaels Organization Educational Foundation is very proud that for the 31st consecutive year, it will be awarding scholarships to students living in Michaels affordable and military housing across the country. The scholarships will provide impactful financial assistance to our resident students for the upcoming 2022/2023 school year,” said Michaels’ Educational Consultant, Dr. Bruce Johnson. “We congratulate each of the recipients and wish them continued success in their academic endeavors.”
All education 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.
“There is no better gift than the gift of an education,” said Michael Levitt, “It is the most effective investment we can make in Lifting Lives.”
Celebrations for Michaels Scholars will be held in cities around the country this summer. A scholarship program for residents of Michaels student living communities will begin accepting applications this fall.
About The Michaels Educational Foundation: The Michaels Educational Foundation administers educational scholarship programs open to residents of Michaels Communities. The non-profit foundation is an affiliate of The Michaels Organization, a national leader in residential real estate with full-service capabilities in development, property management, finance, and construction. Now in its 31th year, The Michaels Educational Foundation was the first of its kind in the affordable housing industry when it was established by Michael and Patricia Levitt in 1991. Since then, the scholarship program has expanded to include residents of Michaels’ military and student living communities, and is foremost in The Michaels Organization’s commitment to Giving Back and Creating Communities that Lift Lives. Learn more at www.TMO.com/Scholars