Minneota Dollars for Scholars seeking funds for scholarships

Now in its 20th year, the Minneota Dollars for Scholars continues to raise money to present scholarships to Minneota High School seniors that are planning on attending a post-secondary institution.
The Dollars for Scholars program sponsors several types of fundraisers for scholarships. The Minneota Dollars for Scholars scholarship funds come from donations from area businesses and individuals, endowments, memorials and fundraisers.
The Dollars for Scholars committee attempts to raise at least $5,000 yearly. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of our fundraisers have not been happening. We were unable to do our 50/50 at football and volleyball games, as well as being uncertain if our free-throw shooting during basketball games will be happening.
Again this year, the Dollars for Scholars program is attempting to raise additional money through a mailing. A one page newsletter explaining who we are and what we do as well as asking for a donation will be coming soon to Minneota and Ivanhoe residents’ mailboxes. Dollars for Scholars has been pleased with the response to these mailings in past years.
Dollars for Scholars is a national network of community-based and volunteer-operated scholarship foundations throughout the United States as part of Scholarship America’s national network of locally-based chapters. The Minneota chapter was formed in 2001, and since that time, has raised and awarded Minneota High School graduates with more than $244,000 to help support their continuing education goals.
Minneota High School graduates of 2020 were awarded $34,500. That amount also includes “named” scholarships which are managed through the Dollars for Scholars program. Named scholarships include donations from individuals, businesses or organizations that may target specific criteria. For example, many times they want their scholarship to go to someone going into a certain field of study.
Prior to Minneota Dollars for Scholars, students were asked to apply for each scholarship individually. Now they can apply for numerous scholarships by filling out just one online form. Another advantage to this system is that several post-secondary institutions no longer reduce financial assistance but often match any Dollars for Scholars scholarships.
Currently, there is an awards committee that reviews each student's application. A points system takes into account a brief essay the student writes, their activities, leadership, and their community service involvement. These points are then compiled. The committee meets, reviews the criteria for each named scholarship, and makes the award assignments.
The last step is for students to collect their awards. They provide the school guidance counselor a transcript from their first semester of post secondary education, showing successful completion of that semester along with their registration for the next semester. Based on these items, the students institution is then mailed a check in the amount of the award.
The Minneota Dollars for Scholars is appreciative of all the support our communities show through their donations, and support of the events we sponsor. Every penny we raise goes to scholarships for our graduates. However, we could use some support in terms of time and talents. We need to grow our organization and need new people with new ideas.
Dollars for Scholars is governed by a seven member board including Sue Buysse, president; Jeri Whortenbury, vice president; Tegan Gillund, treasurer; Jan Bot, secretary; as well as Kim Gades, Nancy Dilley and Nancy Krog.
“We hope you will keep Minneota Dollars for Scholars in mind as you do estate planning, if your family is interested in setting up a scholarship in memory of a loved one or donating to us as a memorial for family or friends who have passed away.”
For more information, please contact Sue Buysse at 507-828-7118 or sue.buysse@minneotaschools.org.