The National Hero Legacy Scholarship Fund: Protecting the Future

A crisis shouldn’t have the power to derail a child’s dreams. At the Larry Pickett Foundation, we believe that the children of heroes and survivors deserve a path forward that is defined by opportunity, not by the tragedy their family endured.

The National Hero Legacy Scholarship Fund provides educational grants designed to ensure that a family’s journey through a crisis never limits a child’s access to a future. We bridge the gap between the cost of higher education and the financial reality of a family in recovery.

 

Investing in the Next Generation

Traumatic events often create long-term financial ripples that can make saving for college or vocational training impossible. Our scholarship fund is a promise to the families we serve that their children’s education remains a priority.

• Educational Flexibility: Grants can be used for tuition, books, and fees at accredited two-year colleges, four-year universities, or accredited trade and vocational schools.

• Removing the Financial Ceiling: By addressing the long-term cost of education, we allow children to pursue their passions without the burden of excessive student debt resulting from a family crisis.

• A Legacy of Support: These scholarships are funded by the community’s initial outpouring of support, ensuring that a hero’s legacy is felt for decades to come.

How the Fund is Sustained

The Legacy Scholarship Fund is part of our “Full-Circle” mission. It is primarily funded through:

1. Dedicated Campaign Earmarks: When a GoFundMe Pro campaign is launched for a hero or survivor, a specific portion of the community’s tax-deductible donations can be earmarked for their children’s future education.

2. Community Growth: Because these funds are held within the Foundation’s 501(c)(3) structure, they provide a stable, professional way for family, friends, and employers to invest in a child’s long-term success.

3. The 26-Year Commitment: We hold these funds until the beneficiary is ready for post-secondary education. To ensure these resources always serve a life-saving purpose, any funds remaining after the beneficiary turns 26 are reallocated to the National Hero Advocacy Fund to purchase equipment for local first responders.

The Foundation Advantage: Professional Oversight

Managing a child’s future education fund while recovering from a crisis is an immense burden. The Larry Pickett Foundation provides the professional framework to make it simple:

• Tax-Deductibility: Unlike a personal savings account, every contribution to the Scholarship Fund is 100% tax-deductible for the donor.

• Employer Matching: Most corporate matching programs will contribute to our scholarship fund, potentially doubling the educational resources available to the child.

• Fiduciary Responsibility: Our Board of Directors oversees the fund, ensuring the money is protected and used strictly for its intended educational purpose.

The Full-Circle Legacy

We don’t just help a family survive; we help them build. By securing a child’s education, we honor the original hero or survivor by ensuring their bravery leads to a legacy of knowledge and opportunity.