The Shainberg Scholarship Is Back!

Most us know that for a lot of our young people, the road to higher education is filled with obstacles that have nothing to do with their potential and everything to do with their circumstances. That's exactly why we're so excited to announce that the Shainberg Scholarship is officially open for its second year.

Applications are open now through May 1, 2026 so if you know a Choose901 Alumni student who needs support, now is the time.

First, Let's Talk About What This Scholarship Actually Does

College is expensive. Trade school is expensive. Even certificate programs and apprenticeships come with costs that can stop a motivated young person dead in their tracks. The Shainberg Scholarship, established in partnership with the Shainberg Foundation, exists to close those funding gaps for students pursuing any postsecondary path, whether that's a four-year university, a community college, a trade school, or a specialized training program.

This isn't just about tuition. It's about giving young Memphians the breathing room to actually focus on their goals instead of constantly worrying about how to afford them. And it prioritizes Choose901 Alumni students, with special consideration for those whose parents are domestic workers because we know financial barriers hit some families harder than others.

the 2025 shainberg scholars

Year one of this scholarship was a game changer. Don't just take our word for it. Check out where the 2025 Shainberg Scholars are now and hear directly from the students whose lives shifted because someone believed in them enough to invest.

One of those scholars, Sheltoria Love, put it perfectly:

"The scholarship has made a huge difference for me by relieving financial stress and allowing me to focus a little more on my classes and goals. Knowing I have this support also gives me peace of mind and motivation to keep pushing forward, especially as I complete my final semester and prepare for what comes next."

That's what access to education actually looks like in practice. It’s not just an acceptance letter, but the ability to stay, persist, and finish. That's the difference this scholarship makes.

The Legacy Behind the Name

The Shainberg Scholarship carries a real story. Herbert Shainberg was a Memphis businessman who owned a beloved department store on Main Street in Downtown Memphis. He was known for his generosity, his commitment to fairness and justice, and his genuine belief in the power of kindness. He left a mark on this city that his family is still honoring today.

The name Shainberg means "Beautiful Mountain" and it’s a perfect metaphor. Reaching your potential is a climb. It's hard. It takes grit. But no one should have to make that climb alone, and no one should have to turn back simply because they couldn't afford the gear. This scholarship is that guiding light on the way up.

His grandchildren are continuing that legacy by investing directly in Memphis students and that kind of generational commitment to community is exactly the spirit Give901 was built around.

Why Access to Higher Education Matters So Much Right Now

When a young person from Memphis doesn't finish their degree or never gets to start one, not because they lacked drive, but because they lacked dollars, we all lose. Memphis loses a nurse, an engineer, a teacher, an entrepreneur.

Investing in postsecondary education isn't charity. It's strategy. It strengthens families, builds a workforce, and creates the kind of long-term economic momentum that makes a city thrive. Every Shainberg Scholar who walks across a stage or earns a certification is a ripple that spreads far beyond one person's life.

That's why Choose901 Alumni invests in students beyond high school. Because the work our excellent teachers, innovative schools, and empowering mentors do deserves a finish line that actually means something.

How You Can Be Part of This

The Shainberg Scholarship is a powerful example of what happens when generosity gets organized. But it runs on the support of people like you.

If you're ready to invest in the future of Memphis youth in a real, lasting way, becoming a monthly donor to Give901 is one of the most impactful things you can do. Your recurring gift helps fund programs like this one, supports Choose901 Alumni as they navigate life after high school, and strengthens the Teach901 pipeline of great educators showing up for Memphis kids every single day.

You don't have to do everything. But you can do something, and something, compounded over time, changes everything.

👉 Become a monthly donor today and help us build one greater Memphis, one student, one scholarship, one beautiful climb at a time.

Applications for the 2026 Shainberg Scholarship are open through May 1, 2026. Learn more and apply with Choose901 Alumni.