The M-and-M Area Community Foundation is celebrating its biggest scholarship season ever — awarding nearly two-hundred-thousand dollars to students across Marinette and Menominee Counties. Foundation leaders say the dramatic increase reflects both growing awareness and growing financial need for students pursuing higher education.

Program and Operations Director Kaitlyn Deschane says college costs continue climbing — making scholarship opportunities more important than ever.

The Foundation received 484 scholarship applications this year, up from just 136 applications three years ago. Officials also say nearly every available scholarship was awarded this year, compared to more than a dozen going unused in the past.

Deschane says that milestone matters because donors want their money helping local students reach their goals.

The Foundation also plans to launch a new universal scholarship application next year, designed to simplify the process for students applying for multiple scholarships.

Deschane says the long-term goal is keeping opportunity local and helping students see a future in rural communities.

The M-and-M Area Community Foundation awarded 79 scholarships during the 2025 through 2026 scholarship season.

FULL STORY