California Grocers Association - Piggyback Partnership Scholarship Program

Piggyback Partnership Scholarship Program

What is Piggybacking?
Piggybacking is a mechanism by which YOUR company can have a scholarship program for only YOUR employees and/or their dependents through your company's membership in the California Grocers Association.

A scholarship program for my company, how is this possible?
The California Grocers Association Educational Foundation has established the CGA Educational Foundation Scholarship Program for all member employees and/or their dependents. Your firm can "Piggyback" on that application process. This is an alternative to establishing your own scholarship program and avoids the expense of producing brochures and applications.

What is the application process?
Scholarship announcements are sent to all CGA members in December with information to be disseminated to your employees. If you participate in the Piggyback Partnership program, your employees and/or their dependents can apply for several scholarships by submitting one application. You would encourage eligible employees to apply, because someone from your firm is sure to be selected. Those applicants who do not receive a CGAEF Scholarship would compete for YOUR scholarship(s).

Why is this a good idea?
A scholarship program promotes good public relations within your company. It shows that you are taking an active interest in your employees and their dependent's education. This encourages loyalty and improves employee morale. You can maximize the publicity in your firm's newsletter or other information vehicle.

How is this "My Firm's" scholarship?

You determine the name of the awards.

You determine the number of awards.

You determine the amount of the awards.

You determine the criteria for the selection of recipients.

When naming an award, some companies use their company's name, others choose to memorialize a company founder, and others name an award after a person who has made a large contribution to the endowment. Both the recipients and the colleges are informed of the name of the scholarship and the source of these funds. As long as your company has at least one applicant, you will be able to award a Piggyback Partnership scholarship.

What will all this cost me?
The minimum amount for scholarships is $500. If you would like to contribute more than $500, we suggest creating multiple scholarships at $500 each. Administrative fees are $130 per scholarship for the 2010-11 program. The funds you provide to support your scholarships can be deducted as a charitable contribution, as the Foundation is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt entity, or they can be deducted as a business expense. The awards are paid to the college, not the student.

The Foundation will bill you for the total amount of your "Piggyback" awards and administrative fees.

For further information on participating in this unique program, email the Foundation Director Brianne Korte, or call (916) 448-3545.