Foundation creates named scholarship

Contributions from Joe Swanson—metro Detroit district team leader for Target and MRA board member—to the Michigan Retailers Foundation have enabled the creation of the Joe Swanson Scholarship, the tenth named scholarship in MRA’s scholarship program.

The first Swanson scholarship will be awarded in next year’s scholarship program.

Michigan Retailers Foundation, established in 1968, provides college scholarships annually to benefit retailers and their employees and families. In the past 10 years the foundation has awarded 215 scholarships totaling $198,000.

A named scholarship is the form of recognition that the foundation provides to contributors who reach the Legacy Club level by donating at least $10,000 to the scholarship fund during their life or through their estate.

The Legacy Club is part of a larger fundraising program designed to continue to increase the number and size of annual MRA scholarships, while providing recognition to contributors who give back to their industry.

Other board members who have reached the Legacy Club level include D. Larry Sherman and Peter Sobelton. Contributions from Swanson’s employer, Target, led to the creation of three Target scholarships as well.

Donations to the foundation are tax deductible. For more information about the foundation and how to contribute, contact Laura Adkins at 800.366.3699 ext. 313 or mra@retailers.com.