Minnesota Masonic Charities 2015 Scholarships Announced

Leading Scholarship Provider in Minnesota Announces 2015 Recipients

73 Students Receive Scholarship Funds from Minnesota Masonic Charities

June 08, 2015 11:09 AM Eastern Daylight Time

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Minnesota Masonic Charities (MMC) proudly announces the recipients of its 2015 Scholarships Program. As part of its continuing commitment to building a better future for Minnesota, the nonprofit organization provides annual awards to some of the state’s most promising scholars.

“We have seen an increase in recipients for our newer award categories, Undergraduate, Vocational and Fraternal”

Since 2008, the organization has provided more than $1.5 million for the continued education of more than 208 Minnesota students. In 2015 alone, MMC will distribute nearly $500,000 to 73 new and 103 renewal scholarship recipients.

“Our scholarship recipients reflect the values and character that are important to Masons,” said Eric Neetenbeek, Minnesota Masonic Charities president and CEO. “They demonstrate integrity and dedication – two traits we believe exemplify leadership. We have great faith in the individuals we select for these awards each year.”

MMC offers up to 95 scholarship awards annually. The Signature, Legacy, Heritage and Vocational scholarships are made available to high school seniors on an equal opportunity basis, with no discrimination for age, gender, religion, national origin or Masonic affiliation; an Undergraduate scholarship for up to twenty current college undergraduates is available to allow for continued education. In addition, up to twenty Fraternal awards are available to students with some fraternal affiliation to the Masons.

“We have seen an increase in recipients for our newer award categories, Undergraduate, Vocational and Fraternal,” said Neetenbeek. “This means qualified students are taking advantage of every opportunity for financial support made available to them through the Masonic Family.”

All awards range from $1,000 to $5,000 per year, and students may renew their scholarship awards annually, provided they maintain scholastic performance. Neetenbeek hopes to expand the MMC Scholarships Program further, with the goal of reaching $1 million in scholarship funds distributed annually by 2018.

The 2015 new scholarship recipients hail from within the Twin Cities; Duluth, Rochester, Stillwater; and smaller communities statewide. For more information about the Minnesota Masonic Charities, MMC Scholarship programs or recipients, please contact Kelly Johns at kelly.johns@mnmasonic.org or 952.948.6202.