Expanding access to education

Founded in 1994, the Washington Apple Education Foundation (WAEF) is the philanthropic arm of the Washington tree fruit industry. It was created to give back to the children of the employees serving the industry. In its first year, the foundation awarded eight scholarships totaling $17,500.

Today, the WAEF raises more than $1 million a year from tree fruit industry employers and families, which includes apple, cherry and pear orchards, warehouses and affiliated businesses. The money funds scholarships awarded exclusively to children of those working in the industry. Over the past 30 years, the foundation has helped more than 3,000 young people, 80% of whom are first-generation college students. In 2024 alone, the WAEF awarded 387 new and recurring scholarships to deserving students.

In addition to providing critical funds, the WAEF also organizes workshops, career tours, monthly trainings, care packages, holiday dinners, regional dinners, and other networking opportunities. These workshops focus on resume tips, interview training, personal finance guidance and other important life skills. The organization also continues to mentor students throughout their college years to help them get the most from the experience. And these combined efforts are clearly working because 85% of scholarship recipients earn their degree within four years.

Creating connections for life

The Marsh McLennan Agency has deep roots in the Northwest. With more than 750 agents in multiple locations across the region, the company’s client list includes roughly 70% of the tree fruit farms in Washington. Because of these strong relationships, the agency is proud to support the WAEF, donating more than $150,000 over the past 15 years. Agency employees also serve on WAEF’s board of directors, review scholarship applications and volunteer at annual golf tournaments and other fundraisers.

As important as the scholarship money is, forging connections with students through mentoring is the most rewarding outcome according to Nate Fulton, the managing director of the Marsh McLennan Agency. “We’ve supported WAEF in many ways over the years,” said Fulton, “but helping students succeed in college — and life — is the most gratifying part of our involvement.”

Maintaining this support network during college is so important to student success. Many scholarship recipients haven’t travelled far from home before, so navigating college life and selecting a career path can be daunting. To help students succeed, a dozen Marsh McLennan employees mentor students throughout their college years. The mentors help students develop good time management and study habits, and teach them the importance of social connections, networking and other valuable skills. They also send care packages and check in on students regularly throughout the year.

“Helping students succeed in college — and life — is the most gratifying part of our involvement.”

– Nate Fulton, Managing Director, Marsh McLennan Agency

Promoting education at an early age

WAEF scholarships are unique in that students can renew their scholarships for up to four years of their undergraduate studies as long as they meet the renewal requirements.

“Helping young people pursue their dreams and reach their potential is so powerful,” said Faviola Barbosa, WAEF’s executive director. “We want to be a support group for these young people for the long term.”

“Helping young people pursue their dreams and reach their potential is so powerful.”

– Faviola Barbosa, Executive Director, Washington Apple Education Foundation

Investing in youth

Your vote can help the Washington Apple Education Foundation receive a $10,000 donation, which would be used to provide college scholarships to the children of farm workers and other fruit tree industry partners.

Help Marsh McLennan Agency win $10,000 for Washington Apple Education Foundation by clicking the vote button. Get them an extra vote by cheering them on in the comments below by October 4, 2024.