Panera Bread's Commitment to Education: Scholarship and Grant Programs

Panera Bread has consistently demonstrated a commitment to education, opportunity, and mentorship through various initiatives, including the Panera Bread Foundation grant program and the Knead for Knowledge Scholarship. These programs aim to support students and non-profit organizations, fostering a world where young people can achieve their full potential.

Knead for Knowledge Scholarship Program

The Panera Bread Knead for Knowledge Scholarship Program exemplifies Panera Bread's belief in the importance of education and its desire to address the financial and educational challenges faced by children with cancer or chronic blood disorders.

A "Hollywood Award Show" Themed Celebration

On May 10th, 2018, Covelli Family Limited Partnership hosted its 6th annual Panera Bread Knead for Knowledge Scholarship Dinner at the Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club. The event, themed as a "Hollywood Award Show," awarded $65,000 in scholarships to 24 deserving students.

Impactful Support for Young Scholars

As of 2018, the Panera Bread Knead for Knowledge Scholarship Program had provided nearly $400,000 in scholarships to local children battling childhood cancer or chronic blood disorders. The program goes beyond financial aid, aiming to ease the burdens associated with these challenging diagnoses.

Addressing Financial and Educational Strains

Panera Bread recognized the significant financial and educational strains placed upon children facing cancer or chronic blood disorder diagnoses. The Knead for Knowledge Scholarship Program was created to provide college scholarships, assist with transportation needs, and offer an additional hands-on element through Students Achieving through Interactive Learning (“S.A.I.L.”) to enhance all aspects of the learning process.

S.A.I.L. Program Details

The S.A.I.L. program is designed to enhance all aspects of the learning process for scholarship recipients, providing them with additional resources and support to succeed academically.

Recognition and Gratitude

Leigh Spann, a meteorologist from WFLA Channel 8 News, served as the emcee for the 2018 event. The program expressed gratitude to Leigh Spann, meteorologist from WFLA Channel 8 News for being an incredible emcee for the night, and thank you to the generous 2018 sponsors for helping to make an impact in these students’ lives.

Panera Bread Foundation Grant Program

The Panera Bread Foundation extends Panera's commitment to education by providing grants to non-profit organizations that support at-risk, underserved, or historically underrepresented children and youth.

Focus on Opportunity and Mentorship

The Foundation awards grants to non-profit organizations who provide access to education, opportunity, and mentorship to at-risk, underserved, or historically underrepresented children and youth. The Foundation envisions a world in which young people can unlock their full potential and dare to dream - a world in which opportunity and economic mobility are accessible and equitable for all.

Eligibility Criteria for Grant Applicants

Qualified organizations are 501(c)(3) non-profits, serving ages 10-18, that are planning to start a new program or expand an existing program focused on college readiness, skills building, workforce or leadership development, or mentoring.

Grant Amounts and Focus Areas

Grant applicants have the choice to apply for a grant amount between $25,000 and $150,000, to be awarded to recipients in early 2023. The programs for high school students help youth stay in and do well in school, graduate high school, attend a post-secondary school or find a long-term career path. The middle school programs are focused on strengthening learning skills, enhancing hard and soft skills, and helping children build healthy relationships with trusted adults through mentorship programs.

Give Change for Children Round-Up Program

This February, Panera company-owned bakery-cafes launched the Give Change for Children round-up program, which, through the generosity of our guests, has reached more than $1MM to-date to support the Foundation’s mission. Panera guests choose at check out to round-up their total check to the nearest dollar to help children and youth in our local communities.

Foundation Leadership and Vision

“Through our grant program, the Panera Bread Foundation helps fund non-profit organizations who have programs committed to support underserved children and youth by creating the opportunity to allow them to build and dream of their futures,” said Debbie Roberts, Foundation Board President, EVP, Chief Operating Officer at Panera Bread.

Current Grant Partners

Current Panera Bread Foundation grant partners are predominately serving high school and middle school students.

Share the Dough Fund

The Share the Dough fund provides up to $2000 in educational support for Manna Development employees, their spouses and dependents!

Read also: Crafting Perfect Thank You Notes

Program Guidelines and Criteria

Deadline for scholarship application is as follows:January 1- January 15 Award recipients announced: Feb 7July 1-July 15 Award recipients announced: August 9Applicant must be employed for 6 months and be an active employee (not on leave) at the time of scholarship money disbursement.Applicant can be a dependent or spouse of employee who fits the above criteria.Applicant must be enrolled in an accredited institution. (High School seniors will be considered in Round 2 July 1-July 15).Four year college, community college, masters programs and some trade schools will be accepted.Scholarships can only be used for qualified education expenses, which include tuition and fees required to enroll at or attend an eligible institution and course-related expenses for the reimbursement year, such as fees, books, supplies, and equipment that are required of all students. Receipts are required with the application.

Application Requirements

Applicants will need to provide the following:Application: Completed and signedTranscript: Provide most recent transcript with application. 3.0 minimum GPA required to apply.Essay: Complete one-page essay on why you deserve the scholarship with additional information regarding academic/career goals, leadership experience, community involvement, and how you apply the Golden Rule into your life. Use of AI technologies is not acceptable.Recommendations: Provide a minimum of two letters of recommendation with application. These must support applicant’s academic record, general leadership abilities or community involvement. Letters must be current and dated (written within the past 3 months) and should not be a personal or family relation, but rather academic or professional in nature.Receipts: Proof of incurred educational expenses (tuition and school fees, books, or required equipment and supplies).Electronic submissions: Please complete the online form.

MANNA Partnership with University of Massachusetts Global

MANNA PARTNERSHIP WITH UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS GLOBALWe value you and your personal goals.That’s why we’re pleased to announce a educational partnership with University of Massachusetts Global. It’s programs are designed for people just like you who juggle full time jobs and busy lives, but who want to find a way to further their education. Accessible. Flexible. Practical.

Panera Bread's Core Values and Vision

Panera Bread opened in 1987 as a community bakery, founded with a secret sourdough starter and a belief that sharing great bread is an expression of warmth and generosity. That vision holds true today with a robust menu of delicious, chef-curated recipes created with a simple principle: The Familiar, Made FantasticTM.

A Commitment to Guests and Shared Values

From crave-worthy soups, salads and sandwiches to flatbread pizza and sweets, we offer our guests more than great food. Our ethos of generosity drives us to meet our guests where they are through technology and through our shared values.

Bread Company's Reach

As of July 26, 2022, there were 2,116 bakery-cafes, company and franchise, in 48 states and in Ontario, Canada, operating under the Panera Bread® or Saint Louis Bread Co.® names.

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