Our history in Saint Paul
ROOTED IN OPTIMISM, the Saint Paul Friend of Youth Foundation was created by the Optimist Club of St. Paul in 1996. The Club has long recognized high school seniors who have achieved great success despite facing significant challenges. The Foundation was started to build a scholarship fund to help these students continue a path toward achieving their goals.
While the foundation is a separate entity, the Club remains closely involved. This collaboration encompasses the selection and recognition of students by working directly with educators, school counselors and coaches to identify students who have successfully demonstrated persistence and leadership in high school and have a drive to continue to succeed.
The Foundation is responsible for fundraising from members, the community and corporations and it provides the funds for the scholarships awarded. The Foundation is a separate 501(c)3 entity for tax and charitable giving purposes. The Foundation maintains a separate board of directors who manage its giving program.
The Foundation has grown from initially granting one annual $500 scholarship to now giving at least 15 $4,000 scholarships annually. These scholarship funds are used to support a wide variety of educational pursuits, whether at a college or trade institution. Since its inception, the Friend of Youth Foundation has granted scholarships of more than $700,000.
Youth Appreciation Recipients
The Club and Foundation recognize scholarship recipients not only for their academic accomplishments but also their leadership skills demonstrated through participation in extracurricular and community activities. As noted above, the Foundation is rooted in optimism, and it strives to inspire students facing major challenges to continue moving forward to achieve their aspirations. Overcoming adversity, serving our community, nurturing optimism and respect, and seeking to further their education are core values.
The Application Process
Any senior or equivalent level student from any accredited school within the City of St. Paul, Minnesota (public, private, parochial, charter, etc.) may apply for the scholarship. School counselors my request an application packet from stpaulfoyfoundation@gmail.com. Applications are submitted and accepted from early September to mid-October annually. Scholarships can be redeemed at any educational or trade program within five years from the grant of the award. The recipient can use the scholarship for education at an institution of their choice; the institution does not have to be in St. Paul The scholarship recipients, their counselors and their families are honored at a Youth Appreciation Event by the Optimist Club in early November.
Impact of Scholarships
Tuition costs are a significant barrier to enrollment in a post-secondary program. Scholarships have been proven to increase access to higher education. Scholarship recipients have higher test scores and grades, graduation rates, enrollment rates, post-graduation rates and community service hours.
An average of 70% of entry-level jobs in 2023 required a bachelor's degree. In 2022, the median earnings nationwide of individuals with a bachelor's degree ($66,600) was 59% high than the median earnings of individuals with a high school diploma ($41,800).
Read the testimonials below from alumni of the Friend of Youth scholarship recipients to learn more about the Foundation’s impact.
How to Donate to the Foundation
As a charitable organization, the Foundation can accept donations from individual donors, corporate giving programs, non-profit grants, estate plans or contributions from investment funds.
Individuals can become a supporter of the St. Paul Friend of Youth Foundation by clicking on this link: Dollars for Scholars - St. Paul Friend of Youth Foundation Dollars for Scholars and making a donation through our partner Dollars for Scholars’ portal or by writing a check to St. Paul Friend of Youth Foundation and mailing it to The St. Paul Friend of Youth Foundation, P.O. Box 40065, St. Paul, MN 55104-8065.
For more information, contact the Foundation at stpaulfoyfoundation@gmail.com.
“I just graduated this past June from Carleton College... As a first generation college student and one from a Hmong refugee family, the financial assistance was crucial to my success at Carleton...I’ve had great memories, connected with great, lasting friends, and challenged myself socially and academically...Your help has changed my life and my future prospects, and in turn, my future contributions to society.”
““You have made such a wonderful impact on my life and this opportunity will always be with me. I can’t thank you enough for doing what you do. . . . Nothing is better than the feeling you get when you’ve just helped someone to pursue their education. . . . I would love to come home each day and have the feeling that I’ve helped make their dreams come true. I hope you feel that way. I hope you continue to do what you do every day because that’s what it takes to make this world a better place for children to live.”
“The night of Thursday, October 21, 2004 was one I will never forget. That night, I was given the opportunity to pursue my dream of acquiring a college degree. Thank you for the Youth Appreciation Award and the scholarship. . . . It means I’m closer to my dream and my family’s dream. It means a burden is lifted off my shoulders; I’ll have to worry less about my financial state when I’m in college. . . . It means that I can show my siblings and the people around me that even when the odds are against you, it’s still possible.”
