LEAD Scholarship Foundation, Inc. Information

The LEAD Scholarship Foundation was originally founded as the Black Employees Network Scholarship Foundation by a few people, who were members of the Merck Black Employees’ Network (BEN) Scholarship Foundation, Inc. Employee Resource Group in 2002. In April 2005 the organization became it’s own legal organization separate from from Merck & Co. Inc. when it obtained its 501(c)3 not for profit charity status. The LEAD Scholarship Foundation recognizes aspiring minority high school seniors in their quest for academic achievement and helps to reduce the cost of ever increasing educational bills. Scholars are awarded a one time scholarship maximum of up to $5,000 USD annually. Actual scholarship amounts are based on fundraising totals for the year. Scholars are honored at an annual Scholarship Awards Fundraiser. Promoting educational development of young African-American graduating high school seniors, the foundation encourages pursuit of academic excellence by providing financial assistance as well as peer and professional mentors to our scholars. To date, the Foundation has provided more than $500,000 to over 100 students.