In the news release, Scholarship America Announces 2025 Irving Innovation Award Honorees, issued 03-Nov-2025 by Scholarship America over PR Newswire, we are advised by the company that a previous version of this release contained outdated information regarding the Dunkin' and Edison International scholarship programs being honored. A full corrected release follows.
Scholarship America Announces 2025 Irving Innovation Award Honorees
On Wednesday, November 12, Scholarship America will host the second annual Irving Innovation Awards at Washington, DC's Dupont Circle Hotel. This inspiring evening will bring together executives, philanthropists, and educational leaders to celebrate the transformative impact of Scholarship America's programs and to honor scholarship sponsors for their excellence and innovative approaches.
https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2801748/Scholarship_America_Logo.jpg
On Nov. 12, Scholarship America, the nation's largest scholarship administrator, hosts the Irving Innovation Awards.
These awards reflect the vision of organization founder Dr. Irving Fradkin, whose pioneering work in establishing community-based scholarships has grown into a nationwide movement. The son of Russian immigrants, Dr. Fradkin graduated from the Massachusetts College of Optometry and established a practice in Fall River, Massachusetts. After years of hearing from patients who dreamed of college but couldn't afford it, Dr. Fradkin gathered his neighbors to initiate community scholarship fundraising. In May 1958, Dr. Fradkin's vision became a reality, and the first “Dollars for Scholars” scholarships were awarded to graduating Fall River seniors.
Today, that community effort has grown into Scholarship America. With more than $5.7 billion in scholarships distributed to more than 3.2 million students, the organization is the nation's largest administrator of scholarships.
The Irving Innovation Awards spotlight organizations that have reimagined what it means to support students-ensuring their initiatives not only provide financial aid but also create holistic opportunities for personal and professional growth. These efforts are making a profound difference, not just in the lives of individual students, but also in the communities and industries they touch. We are proud to honor these 15 program sponsors and two outstanding Dollars for Scholars chapters.
AbbVie
The AbbVie Immunology Scholarship provides substantial, renewable awards across all educational levels-from associate degrees through doctoral programs-and evaluates applicants based on their ability to serve as positive role models in the immunology community. The program's holistic approach to student support transforms personal health challenges into platforms for leadership and inspiration, exemplifying innovation in creating meaningful educational pathways for underserved communities.
Alabama Power
Alabama Power's scholarship program exemplifies a deep investment in both their workforce families and the state of Alabama's educational landscape. The program's dual approach – offering full tuition coverage for one four-year student and one vocational/technical student attending Alabama institutions, plus twenty additional $2,500 awards – demonstrates a comprehensive understanding that success takes many forms, and both local and national focus have a role to play.
CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) Foundation
The CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship program, started in 2025, is exceptionally student-centered, offering high-impact $15,000 awards to students pursuing finance, accounting, business, and emerging fields like AI and legal technology. The program intentionally reaches students from both urban and rural communities where CLA offices are located, with a focus on fostering diversity and long-term career pathways – including potential internships – in underrepresented industries.
Dunkin'
Dunkin's Regional Scholarship Programs in Baltimore/Metro DC and Philadelphia represent a thoughtful approach to regional community investment that extends beyond their customer base. The program's structure-local Dunkin' franchisees award 50 recipients $2,500 in scholarships in the Baltimore/Metro DC area and 20 recipients $5,000 in scholarships in Greater Philadelphia area-reflects an understanding of local market dynamics and community needs and allows for franchisees to create an impact while building lasting connections between the brand and local educational achievement. Overall, the program has distributed $1.3 million to over 570 students since its inception.
Edison International
The Howard P. Allen Scholarship (open to the children of non-executive Edison International and Southern California Edison employees), the Edison Scholars Program (open to exceptional high school seniors in SCE's service area) and the Lineworker Scholarship (a partnership between Edison International, IBEW Local 47 and Los Angeles Trade-Technical College) come together in an educational ecosystem that strengthens the utility's current and future workforce. The innovative connections to SCE's community, schools and unions demonstrate exceptional strategic thinking about workforce development.
Hilton
The Hilton Cares Scholarship Program reflects the company's belief that learning should be lifelong and accessible. Open to Hilton team members worldwide and students from nearly 140 countries, the program supports education and skill development across traditional and non-traditional pathways. With 90 scholarships of up to $5,000 each awarded in its first year, Hilton is removing barriers to opportunity and investing in the growth of both its workforce and global communities.
New York Life
New York Life's Financial Empowerment Scholarship blends financial support with real-world readiness, awarding up to $20,000 to students who complete modules in its Financial Empowerment Game – a digital tool designed to build essential personal finance skills. By focusing on both education and practical life preparation, the program demonstrates a unique commitment to student success beyond the classroom, eliminating barriers and giving students the tools they need for future success.
PGA of America REACH Foundation
The PGA WORKS John & Tamara Lundgren Scholars Program, part of the PGA of America REACH Foundation's charitable work, provides important opportunities for talent from diverse backgrounds, including populations historically underrepresented in the golf industry. The program's comprehensive approach to identifying and nurturing future leaders exemplifies how scholarship programs can drive meaningful industry transformation while maintaining the highest standards of excellence.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Foundation's “She is Football” Scholarship is a groundbreaking initiative to support female high school seniors participating in football. By creating dedicated opportunities for young women who demonstrate the qualities learned through football participation-leadership, resilience, teamwork, and determination-the She Is Football Scholarship breaks barriers while celebrating the unique contributions of female athletes, demonstrating exceptional commitment to both gender equity and athletic achievement.
Tencent
Tencent's American scholarship program is a forward-thinking initiative designed to make the video game industry more accessible to the next generation of diverse storytellers, creators, and innovators. By supporting high school seniors, Tencent is removing financial barriers and opening doors to careers in one of the world's most dynamic and creative industries-reflecting Tencent's broader mission of using technology for good and creating opportunities that connect passion with purpose.
The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County
The partnership between The Pittsburgh Foundation, The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, and Scholarship America represents a collaborative approach to community-based scholarship administration. Integrating with Scholarship America Hub technology enabled applicants to access an additional 528 scholarships worth $2.9 million-beyond the more than $900,000 in foundation programs themselves. This model shows how community foundations can leverage professional scholarship management to create a multiplier effect that benefits the entire region.
Vertex Foundation
The Vertex Foundation Scholarship program supports people living with cystic fibrosis (CF) and their immediate family members or caregivers pursuing higher education. It spotlights the applicant's education and career goals, especially as they relate to addressing challenges within the CF community and personal resilience or inspiration influenced by living with or supporting someone with CF (and Vertex Foundation is currently pursuing an expansion of the scholarship to other patient communities.)
Dr. Irving Fradkin Community Impact Award: North Tama (Iowa) Dollars for Scholars
When the North Tama Dollars for Scholars chapter was established in 2019, one of their primary values was to provide impactful scholarships for students who needed them the most, particularly those going to community and technical colleges. Six years later, nearly half of the chapter's scholarships are designated specifically for students pursuing certifications-ensuring that students on all educational and career pathways are supported by their community.
Dr. Irving Fradkin Community Champion: John Rodriguez, Worcester (Massachusetts) Latino Dollars for Scholars
John Rodriguez has been involved with Worcester Latino Dollars for Scholars (WLDS) since its founding, starting as a volunteer more than 30 years ago and serving as president since 1998. Under his leadership, the chapter has grown into one of the city's largest Latino-serving organizations, awarding 40 scholarships of $1,000 each to graduates. He is a tireless advocate for Worcester's students and a source of support for families, providing community-centered expertise as they navigate the complex world of higher education.
About Scholarship America
Scholarship America is a non-profit organization that eliminates barriers to educational success so that students can pursue their dream. Since 1958, Scholarship America has distributed $5.7 billion to more than 3 million students. The organization works with partners to give students the support needed to succeed. Learn more at scholarshipamerica.org.
Media Contact
Claire Berge SchmidtAssociate Vice President, Marketingcbergeschmidt@scholarshipamerica.org(952) 830-7391
https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/img/favicon.png?sn=CG14017A&sd=2025-11-04
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/scholarship-america-announces-2025-irving-innovation-award-honorees-302602801.html
SOURCE Scholarship America
https://rt.newswire.ca/rt.gif?NewsItemId=CG14017&Transmission_Id=202511041449PR_NEWS_USPR_____CG14017A&DateId=20251104