EWU and the Krumble Foundation: A Partnership Built Upon Grit

Grit isn’t just one of our core values—it’s in our DNA. Many students come to Eastern with the tenacity of navigating the societal challenges of access and affordability. Too often, our Eagles continue to face challenges along their journey toward graduation. Many students work part-time jobs—or even full-time jobs or more than one job. They overcome academic and personal obstacles to secure a better future for themselves and their families. However, some need more than Eagle grit to prevail.

A new donor to Eastern Washington University recognizes the potential in these students and has signed on to help support students who show the moxie it takes to earn a degree. The Krumble Foundation, a Spokane charitable organization, has generously pledged $1.35 million in scholarship support to ensure more students see graduation day, and is offering a match to challenge other donors to give.

Soaring Eagle Scholarship Fund

The scholarship defines grit as students who, through their academic endeavors, are overcoming personal obstacles. The Krumble Foundation also wants to award students who are assisting themselves financially in paying for college, for example, by maintaining a part-time job.

The first Soaring Eagle Scholarships have already been awarded for the 2020-21 academic year. Lorren Morgan, a senior in the Biology Department’s Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Program, is one of those recipients.

Morgan has been pursuing his dream of becoming a doctor since high school, where he completed more than 360 hours of volunteer service with the Wenatchee High School Sports Medicine Program. Now a student at Eastern, he has made the Dean’s List every quarter while completing multiple rigorous lab-based science classes. He plans to become an ophthalmologist.

“Eyes fascinate me, and I hope to help people gain better vision and potentially work on vision retainment research,” Morgan says. He is thankful to have the financial assistance from the Krumble Foundation this quarter so that he can remain focused on completing his pre-med program and prepare for medical school.

“Thank you for your confidence in me,” he adds. “I work hard to achieve my academic goals and I will make you proud.”

Krumble Foundation Scholarship Match

The Krumble Foundation Match is part of EWU’s new Eagle Strong Scholarship Campaign. Due to the pandemic, students are facing new financial and personal challenges. Donor support for scholarships is critical at a time like this. That is why, now through July 1, 2021, the Krumble Foundation will match donations made to any student scholarships. Gifts from new donors and those who haven’t given recently are eligible for the match.

When those donors support scholarships, the Krumble Foundation will match the gifts, dollar for dollar, by donating to the Soaring Eagle Scholarship Fund, up to $250,000. This unique opportunity will allow donors to see their money go even further, and help more students like Morgan remain Eagle Strong.

“I Look forward to growing and being able to serve others through medicine in the near future,” he says. “These funds will certainly help me continue to focus on both school and service.”

Krumble Foundation Micro-Grant Fund

Especially now, many students are facing the financial struggles that come with housing changes, food insecurity and unemployment. A financial problem during the pandemic can impact a student down the road. Any student who has $1,000 or more in unpaid tuition and fees at the end of a quarter cannot register for the next quarter.

Micro-grants, another allocation of the Krumble Foundation’s $1.35 million gift, can help fill the gap. The grants are awarded to continuing students who are in good academic standing and are highly likely to graduate. Emily Rhodes was among the first students to be awarded a Krumble Micro-grant last spring.

“Unfortunately, the previous quarter was a little hard on me financially. I was unable to pay my full balance which put me over the limit for registration,” says Rhodes. “I was fortunate enough to receive a grant from the Krumble Foundation.”

That grant, coupled with the grit Rhodes demonstrated, allowed her to register for class and graduate in June with a degree in children’s studies.

“I would like to thank the donors of this grant from the bottom of my heart,” she says. “You made it possible for me to graduate and pursue my future working with the children in our community who also need a helping hand.”

Krumble Foundation Internship Stipend Program

As long-time business owners, the founders of the Krumble Foundation know the importance of internships. However, many times internship opportunities come with extra financial burdens. Students may have to pay for housing in a new city for the summer, may have to quit a part-time job, and may not be getting paid for the internship.

The Krumble Foundation doesn’t want to see students turn down valuable internship opportunities. Another way the Krumble Foundation is offering assistance to students who value hard work is through an internship stipend program. Eagles working in unpaid internships at nonprofit or governmental agencies can apply for a one-time stipend of up to $3,000.

About the Donors

The founders of the Krumble Foundation are passionate about helping hard-working students who may just need that extra push to make it to the finish line—and graduation day. Their well-thought-out areas of support will benefit the entire community by ensuring more well-trained and ambitious employees enter the regional workforce.

The donors also hope they can inspire additional alumni, parents, and friends of Eastern to consider a gift of any amount to support student scholarships—especially those who show that Eagle grit. “Please join us in helping people who really want to make something better for themselves and just need a little bit of help,” they say.