Joel L Gerdes Scholarship Fund
The organization is a private foundation dedicated to providing educational scholarships to students pursuing higher education. Its mission centers on supporting academic achievement by awarding funds to deserving candidates based on their qualifications. The foundation primarily serves individuals attending various colleges and universities, with a strong emphasis on enhancing educational opportunities. It operates within Illinois, focusing its charitable efforts on local educational institutions.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
An Illinois-based higher education institution, vocational school, or an individual student submitting a scholarship request via the foundation’s written/mail process; applicants tied to educational scholarship purposes.
Good Fit
- • Based in Illinois or serving Illinois students.
- • Request is explicitly for an educational scholarship or student support.
- • Submission includes a written request plus transcript/resume as described in the instructions.
- • Request size aligns with prior grants (roughly $5K–$15K).
Geography
All observed grants across the available years were made within Illinois; the latest years show 100% in-state giving.
Recipient Variety
The foundation funded 2 recipients in 2022, 3 in 2023, and 4 in 2024 with independent colleges, a trade academy and universities represented, indicating a modest but not tiny spread of distinct recipients.
New Applicants
Direct behavioral evidence supports entry by new recipients (the latest year shows four new grantees and there are no repeating recipients across the observed years), and the foundation publishes scholarship submission instructions and a mailing/phone contact.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
