About Northwest Dollars for Scholars

Recent studies have shown that college graduates contribute to their communities by leading productive professional lives, while also contributing to society through greater levels of civic engagement, increased volunteerism and a stronger appreciation for diversity. In other words, a college education broadens the horizons and creates well-rounded members of our communities.

Northwest Dollars for Scholars is working with communities to inspire students to achieve their highest educational and career potential. Our mission is to provide leadership to develop and support a network of community-based scholarship programs that are self-sustaining and perpetual.

We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All contributions are tax deductible—please contact your tax advisor for specifics.

What We Do

Helping Local Students Succeed
The Northwest region is the home of over 140 Dollars for Scholars chapters. Each Dollars for Scholars chapter or affiliate raises funds to provide scholarships and college planning assistance for students in their local community. With over 1,100 volunteers working in more than 160 communities, Dollars for Scholars is a true grassroots movement.

Last year, Dollars for Scholars chapters in Washington raised $6,538,327 and awarded scholarships to 3,027 students.

Community Support
Helping students succeed is the goal of every Dollars for Scholars chapter. Northwest Dollars for Scholars strives to provide communities with the tools and support they need to assist local students. We have established community partnerships with colleges and universities, local businesses, foundations, corporations, and local and state governments.

Chapter Support
Through a partnership with Washington State’s Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB), Dollars for Scholars chapters are eligible to receive matching funds to award as scholarships in their communities. Since this matching grant program began in 1989, the HECB has matched $2,538,000 raised by Dollars for Scholars chapters.

Annually, over $38,000 is awarded to Dollars for Scholars scholarship recipients attending Collegiate Partner institutions in Washington and Oregon.

In January 2004, Northwest Dollars for Scholars (then Washington Dollars for Scholars) was selected as Safeway’s Charity of Choice. Through this coin collection program we raised $31,784 and gave the total amount back to our chapters to award as scholarships.

We have awarded over $20,000 to Dollars for Scholars chapters through Scholarship America (our parent organization) incentives, grants and scholarship programs.

We have awarded $4,000 to Dollars for Scholars chapters to acknowledge their work in providing academic support to students.

Because College Doesn't Happen By Chance®.