Thompson Working Families Scholarship
Philanthropic Partnerships With Higher Education
to Provide Metric-Driven, Outcomes-Based Scholarships
Changing Lives
As part of their commitment to changing lives through education, the Thompsons created the Thompson Working Families Scholarship program in 2011.
Ellen Thompson, a former elementary school teacher, recognized a gap in financial support for the children of working-class families attending college. She developed a scholarship program to support students from working families. The program is designed so most students will graduate from college with a bachelor’s degree and significantly reduced student and/or family student loan debt. At the heart of their support efforts is the couple’s respect for the workers that were employed in their asphalt and concrete businesses. Ellen Thompson has said that their relationship with the employees at their companies sparked a commitment to help working families.
“We see how long and hard some people work, and the dreams they have for their children. We’ve been fortunate and want to help these parents realize those dreams.”
Ellen Thompson
The Thompson Working Families Scholarship program was launched in 2011 at Grand Valley State University. To be eligible for the program, students must meet certain working-class family income level requirements and be pursuing a bachelor’s degree. The scholarship includes several accountability metrics that ensure that the foundation, the student, and the university have “skin in the game”. Thompson funding is matched dollar for dollar by the participating universities. The universities commit to providing the necessary program support to meet the goal that 80% of the students graduate within four years.
Scholarship recipients, known as Thompson Scholars on campus, receive $11,000 ($5,500 from the Thompson Foundation and $5,500 from the university) each academic year through the program, covering much or all of the cost of tuition. Thompson Scholars must commit to complying with accountability metrics, such as completing 20 community service hours annually, maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75, and making academic progress towards graduation.
In 2014, the Thompson Foundation expanded the program beyond Grand Valley State University to Robert and Ellens’ alma mater, Bowling Green State University in Ohio. In 2016, the program was expanded to Saginaw Valley State University and to Michigan Technological University in 2020.
When the program sunsets in 2033, the Thompsons scholarship funding will have helped nearly 13,000 students with an estimated total funding cost of over $220 million at all four partner Universities,
Click the links above or the logos below to visit each partner universities’ Thompson Working Families Scholarship web page.
Committed to Helping Working Families
“My mother encouraged us to never take for granted opportunities that would improve our future. I greatly appreciate the opportunity for the scholarship and intend to pay it forward in my education.”
“I appreciate this scholarship greatly. I will never forget how much you helped me in my career. I appreciate you so much for granting me this and just know that you have changed someone’s life. Everyone that I tell that I received this scholarship said it was a life-changer. Thank you so much, Mr. and Mrs. Thompson!”
“Thank you for allowing Michigan Tech students like me to be able to afford a higher education. I hope that I will put the education that you have allowed me to get to good use and be an integral part of society.”
“The requirements to keep this scholarship have pushed me to be a better student and person in my community. I appreciate all you do for me and other students at SVSU. Thank you!”
“The more time I spend here at Bowling Green State University, the more I understand that the Thompson Working Families Scholarship has opened up a world of endless possibilities for me. I deeply appreciate your investment in the lives of so many people.”
“This scholarship is so immensely important to me because I know I am so fortunate to be attending college; it helps me to be able to attend Grand Valley and pursue a successful future. There are not enough words to express how grateful and thankful I am!”
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your unwavering support and for making my college education a reality. Your kindness has made a profound difference in my life and I will be forever grateful.”
“I want to say a huge thank you for continuing to support my education and development. What you two do is inspiring and amazing, and I would not be here without you. I appreciate the love and care that you exude, and I wish both of you happiness and health in your lives and to your families. Thank you again!”