As we close out 2025, we want to pause and share our sincere gratitude with the people who make our work possible.
To our donors and supporters – thank you for investing in our DRDFS scholars.
Because of your belief in Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars, our scholars are moving forward with confidence, opportunity, and support behind them. Your investment reaches far beyond financial assistance; it represents encouragement, stability, and a reminder to students that they are not navigating their journeys alone.
The Difference You Made This Year
For many DRDFS scholars, the path to life after high school can feel overwhelming. Your generosity helps remove obstacles and opens doors. This allows our scholars to focus on learning, growth, and pursuing their goals. Thanks to your support, DRDFS served more than 1,450 scholars, helping them reach critical milestones and stay on track toward their post-secondary goals
. The impact of that investment is clear:
- 100% of DRDFS scholars graduated high school on time
- 88% enrolled in post-secondary education within 12 months
- 86% persisted from their first year to their second year
- 249 scholars have earned a credential or degree, and counting
Behind each of these numbers is a scholar whose path was made more possible because someone chose to give. Most importantly, they gain a community that believes in them and continues to show up at every step.
What Your Support Means to Scholars
While the outcomes matter, the human impact matters just as much. This year, DRDFS continued to serve hundreds of scholars across Southeast Michigan, supporting them as they graduate high school, enroll in post-secondary education, persist through challenges, and work toward earning credentials and degrees. These outcomes are a direct reflection of your commitment and generosity. As one scholar shared:
“One big thing I’ve gained from Dollars for Scholars is support – for school, college, and everything in between.”
Your generosity provides more than resources; it provides reassurance, encouragement, and stability when scholars need it most, helping ensure they not only start strong, but continue moving forward with confidence and purpose. Time and again, scholars tell us how much it means to know someone believes in them. Your investment sends a powerful message: You belong here. Your goals matter. And your community is behind you.
That message can be just as impactful as financial support, carrying students through moments of doubt and inspiring them to keep going.
With Gratitude, Looking Ahead
Every contribution – large or small – adds up to lasting impact. Your investment strengthens our scholars, supports their ambitions, and helps ensure they are equipped to move forward with confidence.
From all of us at Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars, and from the scholars whose lives you’ve helped change, thank you for investing in our DRDFS scholars. We are deeply grateful for your continued support.
“I grew up without a clue of what I wanted to do, or where I wanted to go in life, until I had the opportunity to join Dollars for Scholars my sophomore year of high school. From visiting campuses, to SAT prep, the guidance I received from the program changed my entire outlook.
“From college tours to financial aid, Dollars for Scholars has greatly impacted my path to higher education. As a first generation college student, deciding where I would want to continue my education and figuring out how I would get there was a difficult process. My family and I lacked the time and transportation necessary to visit schools, and this limited me in figuring out my future.
“When joining Dollars for Scholars, I was eager to visit colleges and earn scholarship money. Being able to look at all the different schools with other students I could relate to was so reassuring. Dollars for Scholars was able to answer my questions about the ins & outs of post-secondary education, as well assist me with applications. This extra help was so motivating.
“Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars is a life-changing program. Before high school, I was going down a path that if most kids took, they’d end up either dropping out of school or going to jail. Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars helped inspire me to get on a better path by showing me how to prepare for college. Hearing other students’ stories made me feel like I could be successful both in high school and post-secondary education.