IRMA Foundation
Scholarship Program Update
With the recent merger of the Illinois Food Retailers Association into the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, the Education Foundation is now officially named IRMA Foundation.
There are two important developments of which you should be aware.
- During this transition year, scholarships funded by the Foundation will be withheld for the 2021-22 academic year as corporate by-laws, governing structure and the scholarship application criteria will all be under review. We are diligently working towards necessary improvements to the program.
- The long standing policy of allowing member companies to sponsor their own scholarship program utilizing the administration of the Foundation will continue. Member companies who sponsor their own company scholarships may continue to “piggyback” on to the Foundation application procedure.
Benefits of Piggybacking
- The funds supporting scholarships are being donated to a tax exempt entity and are paid to the colleges or universities, not to the students.
- The Piggyback scholarships will carry the name of the sponsoring company.
- No administrative costs including printing, application tracking and the selection process of winners.
Getting Started
Members notify IRMA of their interest in the Piggyback program including scholarship name, amounts and total number. Members receive scholarship program information that can be used as marketing materials for employee notification.
Piggybacking members are asked to consider a direct contribution to the Foundation to help offset costs associated with the selection process.
Thank you for your continued support during this rebuilding year. All proceeds raised during fundraising activities go directly to the Foundation. For further information: Contact Dawn Durkin at ddurkin@irma.org