Program’s Inaugural Year Draws Applicants from all 10 Camden High Schools
Camden, NJ, July 20, 2026 — The Michaels Organization, a national leader in residential real estate headquartered in Camden, New Jersey, today announced that more than 100 high school graduates in the city have been awarded scholarships toward their post-secondary education for the 2026 Fall Semester.
Michaels’ Lifting Lives in Camden Scholarship Program, offered for the first time this year in partnership with the Camden Education Fund, drew applications from all 10 public high schools across the city, and in total, awarded $250,000.
“Michaels moved our headquarters to Camden in 2019, and we are committed to giving back to our corporate hometown,” said Michaels’ CEO John J. O’Donnell. “We are so proud of these students, and delighted that we can invest in them, their education, and the future of this city.”
O’Donnell also offered thanks to the principals, guidance counselors, and teachers at Camden’s public high schools, as well as the Camden Education Fund, for their support and for encouraging students to take advantage of this unique program.
The Lifting Lives in Camden scholarships can be used for tuition at any accredited college, university, or vocational school starting with the Fall 2026 academic year. To be eligible, students needed to be residents of the City of Camden, graduating from one of the 10 participating high schools, and hold a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
“Every Camden student deserves the opportunity to pursue their dreams after high school,” said Giana Campbell, CEO, Camden Education Fund. “We’re proud to partner with The Michaels Organization to expand access to postsecondary opportunities and invest in the next generation of Camden’s leaders.”
The Lifting Lives in Camden Scholarship Program is in addition to The Michaels Organization Educational Foundation program that bestows scholarship awards to residents of Michaels’ housing communities. Michaels currently manages 1,200 apartments at 14 different properties throughout Camden neighborhoods.
A celebration of the Lifting Lives in Camden Scholarship recipients and their families will be held August 4th at Michaels’ headquarters in the TRIAD 1828 on Camden’s waterfront.
About The Michaels Organization:
The Michaels Organization is a national leader in residential real estate, offering full-service capabilities in development, property management, construction and investment. Serving more than 200,000 residents in more than 550 communities across 39 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Michaels is committed to crafting housing solutions that jumpstart education, civic engagement and neighborhood prosperity, and to creating Communities that Lift Lives.
About Camden Education Fund:
Camden Education Fund (CEF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to accelerating student success across Camden’s public school system. As a cross-sector convener and grantmaking organization, CEF brings together educators, school partners, and community leaders to identify citywide needs in education and invest in solutions that strengthen schools and improve outcomes for students. Since its inception, CEF has mobilized more than $20 million in national and local philanthropic investment to expand opportunity for Camden’s nearly 17,000 public school students. Through strategic grantmaking, partnerships, and data-informed initiatives, CEF helps bridge the gap between schools and the community to ensure every Camden student has access to a high-quality education.
