Expanding access to education
September winner

Expanding access to education

1124 Votes
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The Washington Apple Education Foundation impacts lives by expanding access to college through scholarships.

Founded in 1994, the Washington Apple Education Foundation (WAEF) is the philanthropic arm of the Washington tree fruit industry. It was created to give back to the children of the employees serving the industry. In its first year, the foundation awarded eight scholarships totaling $17,500.

Today, the WAEF raises more than $1 million a year from tree fruit industry employers and families, which includes apple, cherry and pear orchards, warehouses and affiliated businesses. The money funds scholarships awarded exclusively to children of those working in the industry. Over the past 30 years, the foundation has helped more than 3,000 young people, 80% of whom are first-generation college students. In 2024 alone, the WAEF awarded 387 new and recurring scholarships to deserving students.

In addition to providing critical funds, the WAEF also organizes workshops, career tours, monthly trainings, care packages, holiday dinners, regional dinners, and other networking opportunities. These workshops focus on resume tips, interview training, personal finance guidance and other important life skills. The organization also continues to mentor students throughout their college years to help them get the most from the experience. And these combined efforts are clearly working because 85% of scholarship recipients earn their degree within four years.

 

Creating connections for life

The Marsh McLennan Agency has deep roots in the Northwest. With more than 750 agents in multiple locations across the region, the company’s client list includes roughly 70% of the tree fruit farms in Washington. Because of these strong relationships, the agency is proud to support the WAEF, donating more than $150,000 over the past 15 years. Agency employees also serve on WAEF’s board of directors, review scholarship applications and volunteer at annual golf tournaments and other fundraisers.

As important as the scholarship money is, forging connections with students through mentoring is the most rewarding outcome according to Nate Fulton, the managing director of the Marsh McLennan Agency. “We’ve supported WAEF in many ways over the years,” said Fulton, “but helping students succeed in college — and life — is the most gratifying part of our involvement.”

Maintaining this support network during college is so important to student success. Many scholarship recipients haven’t travelled far from home before, so navigating college life and selecting a career path can be daunting. To help students succeed, a dozen Marsh McLennan employees mentor students throughout their college years. The mentors help students develop good time management and study habits, and teach them the importance of social connections, networking and other valuable skills. They also send care packages and check in on students regularly throughout the year.

“Helping students succeed in college — and life — is the most gratifying part of our involvement.”

– Nate Fulton, Managing Director, Marsh McLennan Agency

 

Promoting education at an early age

WAEF scholarships are unique in that students can renew their scholarships for up to four years of their undergraduate studies as long as they meet the renewal requirements.

“Helping young people pursue their dreams and reach their potential is so powerful,” said Faviola Barbosa, WAEF’s executive director. “We want to be a support group for these young people for the long term.”

“Helping young people pursue their dreams and reach their potential is so powerful.”

– Faviola Barbosa, Executive Director, Washington Apple Education Foundation

 

Investing in youth

Your vote can help the Washington Apple Education Foundation receive a $10,000 donation, which would be used to provide college scholarships to the children of farm workers and other fruit tree industry partners.

Help Marsh McLennan Agency win $10,000 for Washington Apple Education Foundation by clicking the vote button. Get them an extra vote by cheering them on in the comments below by October 4, 2024.

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Cindy Garcia
9 months ago

Way to go Agribusiness team!

Cindy Garcia
9 months ago

Excellent work everyone! Together we can help this grow!

Cindy Garcia
9 months ago

Well deserved Congratulations!

Cindy Garcia
9 months ago

Love this!

Cindy Garcia
9 months ago

whoooohoooo!!!!!

Tina Estill
9 months ago

Well deserved!

Cindy Garcia
9 months ago

Congratulations, well deserved!

Sam Stych
9 months ago

Excellent!!

Cindy Garcia
10 months ago

Fantastic!

Cindy Garcia
10 months ago

LETS GOOOO MMA!!

Heather Eichholtz
10 months ago

Voting daily! Lets do this!

Cherie Wells
10 months ago

Congrats!

Cindy Garcia
10 months ago

Congratulations!!

Cindy Garcia
10 months ago

keeep the votes coming in!!

Jason Sorlien
10 months ago

Excellent work everyone! Together we can help this grow!

Cindy Garcia
10 months ago

Lets GOOOOOOO!!!

LeeAnn Giardina
10 months ago

Wonderful!

Roberta Barrows
10 months ago

This is for such a worthy cause!

Cindy Garcia
10 months ago

Great job Nate and team!!

Cindy Garcia
10 months ago

Keep the votes coming in!!

Sierra Dreke
10 months ago

Congrats

Peter Howard
10 months ago

Fantastic!

Brooklyn Reeder
10 months ago

What a great cause to support – way to go!!

Sam Anderson
10 months ago

Congratulations!!

Terri
10 months ago

Congratulations, well deserved!

Carol Anderson
10 months ago

Congratulations and way to go!

Jeremy Vannatta
10 months ago

Let’s gooooooo MMA and WAEF!!

Sarah Walsh
10 months ago

Love this!

Tracy Thompson
10 months ago

Woohoo!

Melissa Koch-Wittman
10 months ago

Way to go Agribusiness team!

Luke Lingscheit
10 months ago

Congrats!!

Kermit Hancock
10 months ago

Thanks for your contribution towards the educational efforts regarding this important aspect of our Eastern Washington economy.

Jennifer Witherbee
10 months ago

So appreciative of this support for WAEF!

Molly Smith
10 months ago

Congrats!

Andy Thorp
10 months ago

Great job Nate and team!!

Erin Fulton
10 months ago

Fantastic!

Melissa Van Every
10 months ago

Congratulations

Tara Fechser
10 months ago

Congrats!!!

Cheri Hoiland
10 months ago

congratulations!

Robb Paul
10 months ago

Congrats!!

Toby Casarez
10 months ago

Congratulations!

Jedean Corpron
10 months ago

Congratulations!

Joe Condino
10 months ago

Thank you and well done, MMA, supporting your community and investing in ag families.

Cherie Wells
10 months ago

Congratulations!

Molly Carlson
10 months ago

Congratulations!

Stacy Young
10 months ago

Great Job!

Kristin Swanson
10 months ago

What an amazing cause!

Jeff Widdows
10 months ago

That’s Awesome!

Dusty StJohn
10 months ago

Congratulations

Laurie Larson
10 months ago

Congrats!!!

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