OUR MISSION

The Erickson Merkel Foundation awards scholarships to students with the heart and drive to realize their dreams.

Your hard work means a lot to us.

We aim to select and reward scholarship candidates who exemplify the values of hard work, creativity, and service…

Not just students who earn a high GPA, but the sort of students who are putting themselves through school by working tenaciously.

We want to reward workhorse scholars who are doing what is necessary to achieve their goals, all while avoiding burdensome and economically damaging student loan debt.

IMPACT

Scholarships Awarded

Cumulative Awards

Latest News

 

Emily Carsten 2022 – Donald Erickson Scholarship recipient

Emily Carsten 2022 – Donald Erickson Scholarship recipient

Where are you from originally? My family is from the Twin Cities area but I lived all over the US and outside of it growing up due to my dad being in the Marine Corps. Where are you going to school, what is your major, and how do you intend to use your major? I...

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EMF Workhorse Q & A: Laura Spelhaug

EMF Workhorse Q & A: Laura Spelhaug

Erickson Merkel Foundation: Tell us a little bit about your family and friends growing up, and any positive effect that they had on your formative years. Laura Spelhaug: I’m the oldest of my three siblings, so naturally I am in the “leader” position. I am the first to...

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EMF Workhorse Q & A: Christie Gorveatte

EMF Workhorse Q & A: Christie Gorveatte

Erickson Merkel Foundation: Tell us a little bit about your family and friends growing up, and any positive effect that they had on your formative years. Christie Gorveatte: My parents always encouraged us to show generosity towards others and the importance of...

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EMF Workhorse Q & A: Benjamin Balster

EMF Workhorse Q & A: Benjamin Balster

Erickson Merkel Foundation: Tell us a little bit about your family and friends growing up, and any positive effect that they had on your formative years. Benjamin Balster: Family always stuck to a routine during the school/work week and on the weekends. My family and...

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3rd Annual Garage Sale fundraiser hits new heights

3rd Annual Garage Sale fundraiser hits new heights

The most recent Erickson Merkel Foundation fundraiser blew the previous two out of the water. But first, credit where it is due. Mary Anton, Tyson Bittner, Jared Klempel, Marnie Piehl, Mike Renner, and Carly Retterath made the EMF North Dakota Team's 3rd Annual...

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The outlook is positive

The outlook is positive

Hello everyone! As I was recently named the incoming Executive Director for the Erickson Merkel Foundation, I'd like to take a moment to recap on some things that happened so far this year as well as what we're looking forward to in the next 12 months. Since I'm the...

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Workhorse Scholar Q & A: Jessica Oliva

Workhorse Scholar Q & A: Jessica Oliva

Erickson Merkel Foundation: Tell us a little bit about your family and friends growing up, and any positive effect that they had on your formative years. Jessica Oliva: Being the eldest of two immigrant parents, I learned early on how my family was very different than...

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