The Cavaliers Community Foundation (CCF) will award 10 Northeast Ohio high school and college students with $10,000 scholarships to further their education. The winners will be recognized at a pregame banquet and a halftime ceremony before the Cavs’ game against the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday, April 14, at Rocket Mortgage Field House.
This year, with the support of Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell and a commitment from the Cavs to increase the investment, CCF has doubled the total amount of scholarship grants from $50,000 to $100,000 and introduced an inaugural scholarship for students enrolling or currently attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Mitchell’s foundation, SPIDACARES Inc., is providing funding for the new HBCU scholarship.
“Congratulations to all of this year’s scholarship recipients,” said Nic Barlage, Cleveland Cavaliers, Rock Entertainment Group, and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse CEO.” Education is a critical instrument for equipping young people with the resources and skills they need to make a good difference in their communities and the world at large. We are proud to collaborate with Huntington and SPIDACARES to support the 2024 scholarship class in their academic pursuits and recognize their hard work and devotion in reaching this milestone.
Huntington’s Cavaliers grant Program provides five graduating seniors with a $10,000 grant to attend college, vocational/trade school, or a similar education course leading to certification or a degree in the 2024-2025 academic year. Scholarship funding can be used to cover genuine college or vocational/trade school expenditures, such as tuition, fees, books, and other educational expenses. Scholarship applicants are chosen based on their academic performance, exceptional community service, and financial need. In addition to the five scholarships, Huntington will help five other kids establish pre-funded savings accounts worth $1,000 each.
“At Huntington, we think that education is a crucial step toward success. “We’re honored to continue our financial support and partner with the Cavs Community Foundation to provide these scholarships, which we hope will truly transform these students,” said Roshonda Smith, Vice President, Regional Community Development Manager, Huntington National Bank.
CCF advanced its aim of engaging in youth development by launching the HBCU scholarship program this year in collaboration with Cavs guard Donovan Mitchell and his nonprofit SPIDACARES. The initiative, which aims to encourage students who are either pursuing or seeking an education at an HBCU, grants five students a $10,000 stipend. SPIDACARES, founded in 2019 by Mitchell and his family, provides resources and opportunities for youngsters through various athletic activities, as well as grants and scholarships to students in financial need who demonstrate the spirit of hard work, empathy, and leadership.
Donovan Mitchell, Founder of SPIDACARES, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to this scholarship and see its success. “We are honored to partner with the Cavs on this HBCU initiative, and we’re confident that the recipients will seize this opportunity to push their dreams forward and create meaningful change.”
The following students received the Cavaliers and HBCU Scholarship: