OUR MISSION
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
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Workhorse Scholar Q & A: Claire Mathias
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. Claire Mathias: My childhood was spent on a five-acre piece of typical Iowa. Even though we weren’t farmers, we...
Workhorse Scholar Q & A: Lauren Volkman
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. Lauren Volkman: My parents have always been very supportive of me. They always encourage me to do my best in...
Workhorse Scholar Q & A: Noelle Hove
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. Noelle Hove: Growing up my parents instilled in me the importance of having a good work ethic, respect, and time...
Workhorse Scholar Q & A: Sidney May
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. Sidney May: My childhood was a very fun one! My dad utilized the help of some of his friends, who became “uncles”...