P.O. Box 7119
Tacoma WA 98417

253.572.9008

info@palmerscholars.org

History

In the fall of 1983, Director Merle Palmer inaugurated the "Eastside Community Church Minority Scholarship Fund" with six students, few funds and inspirational expectations. Located in Salishan, the church had a congregation that was 98% minority and a strong youth fellowship program. This program attracted some students with viable high school grades, an elevated sense of morals and dreams of improving their financial destiny in life. However, few students had sufficient funds to accomplish their goals. Palmer and Eastside Pastor Al Davies took it upon themselves to try to find a way to financially support those qualified and deserving students. The movement progressed slowly. Finances were scarce, but the original students persevered and the graduates produced a CPA, two business majors, a Young Life leader and two computer science grads.

Funding gradually increased when the program incorporated in 1996 as a non-profit foundation with a 15-member board and about 35 students that year. In the 2002-2003 year, there were 75 students enrolled in colleges as Palmer Scholars. Our largest graduating class to date 34 students received their degrees in June 2002. Our first Ph.D. was awarded in 2003. We also had one student receive his Master's degree, twenty more receive Bachelor of Arts or Science degrees, and three complete their work at the community college level and receive Associate Degrees. For the school year 2003-2004 we will have had students enrolled, with 5 in graduate school. To date, we have had 195 degrees conferred upon our students. In September 2004, over 90 students were enrolled as undergraduates, and 5 in graduate school. In the fall of 2002, the Foundation established working relationships with the Act 6 Leadership program, which identifies student leaders and, in conjunction with Whitworth College in Spokane, provides full tuition scholarships. RMPMSSF also has arranged with Willamette University to provide financial assistance to Palmer Scholars to attend undergraduate school there.

The Foundation is building a small endowment fund, but, in the meantime, we are trying to maintain a small reserve for emergencies. The Palmer Foundation does not pay the entire cost of education for students. It does require that each student's application include a financial aid form with FAFSA. This provides a schedule of aid that is available to each student on an individual basis, including Pell Grants, SEOG Grants, State Tuition Waivers, possible scholarships through the school of choice, work-study, plus subsidized and unsubsidized loans. We attempt to pay the difference between the amount of aid and total cost, trying to minimize loans. Our average student going to a state or private university will receive an allocation of about $4,500 a year and students attending community college receive approximately $2,500. Occasionally, some scholarships are higher. Financial support for the RMPMSSF has come primarily from the generosity of local foundations, businesses, and individuals. The operating budget for the fiscal year 2004 is $346,600, all of which is the result of contributions.

The foundation's goal is to provide more than finances. All applicants are assigned a mentor to be available for consultation. The mentor's responsibility includes helping wade through paper work or providing emotional support and inspiration through tough times. A mentor provides the students with someone who "believes in them." The foundation also entertains two or three meetings a year with students where we believe we provide them with "words of wisdom," some basic lifetime skills, and an opportunity to converse and consult with former Palmer Scholars. This time of fellowship includes dinner and social renewal. The functions assist our students and creates an educational family. It is the intention of the Foundation to provide support to follow their educational journey to completion at graduation. Donors are encouraged to come to these functions. Students, mentors and donors all have commented that they enjoy this connection.

The Foundation's goal is to serve the scholarship program with low administrative and overhead costs. Operational costs are also served by donation. Our growth in the scholarship program in the year 2001 required a part-time Executive Secretary to help with the day-to-day operation.. This cost was funded by special grants and, is now part of the annual budget. In 2004, the founding Director and President, R. Merle Palmer retired. The current Executive Director is Judy Brockhoff, who has also served as a Board Member for Peace Community Center (Tacoma) and Helping Hand House (Puyallup). Jan Leng, former Executive Secretary, is now Operations Director.