Invest in Mitchell Scholars. Invest in Maine. - The Mitchell Institute

We work with young people from every corner of Maine who face uphill battles on their way to college. The Mitchell Institute levels the playing field by providing financial and social resources, making it possible for Mitchell Scholars to graduate and unlock their full potential. Mitchell Scholars strengthen Maine’s workforce and communities through their success and leadership.

How the Mitchell Institute Makes a Difference for Maine

Every year, we offer a $10,000 scholarship to a college-going graduate from each of Maine’s public high schools. Since our founding in 1995, the Mitchell Institute has awarded more than $24 million in scholarship, fellowship, and contingency funds to more than 3,600 Scholars and Alumni who hail from every community in Maine.

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What Mitchell Scholars Do for Maine

Through their proven track record of leadership, academic success, community service, and commitment to live and work in Maine, Mitchell Scholars comprise a human endowment for communities statewide.

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Why the Need Is Greater Than Ever

At a time when the state’s workforce needs are outpacing demographics and our first-generation, low-income, and historically underrepresented BIPOC student populations have lower rates of college degree attainment, the mission of the Mitchell Institute — to increase the likelihood that young people from every community in Maine will aspire to, pursue, and achieve a college education — is more important than ever.

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How We Will Make a Difference with Your Investment

Our ambitious plans include expanding the number of Mitchell Scholarships awarded to 200 each year and increasing the critical wraparound supports needed to ensure the additional Scholars’ success. With your continued support, we will disrupt generational poverty for more Maine families, ensure that more hardworking young people in Maine have access to higher education, and provide communities statewide with a stronger and more educated workforce.

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Our Evidence-Based Success

Our research on Mitchell Scholars demonstrates that our methods work: While 44% of recent Mitchell Scholars were the first in their families to attend college and 75% came from households earning less than Maine’s median family income, they graduate at a rate 27 percentage points higher than the national average. Over 50% achieved earnings early in their careers that were higher than their entire family household income at the time they applied for the Mitchell Scholarship.

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An Overview of Our Programs and Supports

Through nearly three decades of experience and evidence-based research, we know that student success in college depends on more than money. Our additional support and guidance during college increase Mitchell Scholars’ chances of attaining a degree, finding meaningful employment in Maine, and strengthening their communities long after college.

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“No one should be guaranteed success … but everyone should have a fair chance to succeed, to go as high and as far as his or her talent, willingness to work and willingness to take risks will carry them.”

Learn more about Senator George J. Mitchell, Founder and Honorary Chairman of the Mitchell Institute

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