Bridge Initiative

Maryland businesses compete in a global marketplace, and they need employees who are comfortable in a range of cultures. The Bridge Initiative provides a vehicle to help the colleges attract and maintain a diverse student body, giving young men and women the experiences and perspective necessary to succeed in the workforce of the future.

Business and foundation partners may select from the following investment options:

The Minority Scholarship Fund ensures that minority students continue to have access to independent liberal arts education and the upward mobility it affords. Revenue from this fund is distributed to all member colleges annually by formula based on enrollment once a minimum of $1,000 is available for each college. A minimum investment of $1,000 is required.

Adult Learners Scholarships provide non-traditional students (men and women over 22 who work full-time) the critical support they need to pursue undergraduate degrees or to hone and upgrade their skills. Each student selected receives a $2,000 scholarship, covering the approximate cost of tuition and books for two courses. A minimum investment of $2,000 is required.

The Generation One Scholarship Program was established to open the door to education for young people desiring to achieve what no one in their family has ever accomplished. The program provides a $5,000 scholarship, with the ability to add other scholarships for which they may be eligible, up to the cost of attendance. In addition, all Generation One Scholars have the opportunity to work with program funders in paid professional internships, which provide a roadmap to future employment. A minimum investment of $2500 is required.

Named Scholarships offer investors the opportunity to provide scholarships, internships and mentoring to students from historically underrepresented ethnic groups.

Investor Benefits:

• Brief profiles of students receiving scholarships provided annually
• Certificate for lobby display indicating the organizations support for diversity in independent higher education
• Letter of thanks from each institution
• Acknowledgment in ten college annual reports
• Acknowledgement in The I-Funds newsletters and annual report