One man from Missouri is using his foundation to help people of color with their college education by giving away $1,000 scholarships.
Matt Miller is the lead NFL draft writer for Bleacher Report, writing for the sports outlet for 10 years, and has been a Missouri resident his entire life, born and raised in Liberal, but lives in Joplin.
Miller’s charity named the 417 Foundation, , is giving away the scholarships.
The 417 Foundation was started several year ago to help those in need in the area, but Miller’s newest fund was very recent.
“I had an idea, to try and promote scholarships for persons of color to get into the field of journalism,” Miller said.
“I initially invested five $1,000 scholarships, but through donations as the message spread, we’re up to (At the time of this interview) 25 scholarships”
Morning @417Foundation update:
*25 $1,000 scholarships pledged
*22 journalism scholarships, 2 business, 1 IT
*Website coming soon that’ll allow easy application
*To donate any amount: https://t.co/KOxDRDzroc
Follow this thread for more updates.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) June 2, 2020
And the scholarships have extended to students pursuing degrees in business, sports administration or even IT.
“It caught fire and took off, and I don’t think we’re done yet.”
Miller says the increased help comes from people wanting to affect change.
“It’s good for us to share in our community our thoughts, but I think a lot of folks want to do more than post on social media,” Miller says. “They want to actually get involved. It’s an easy way to get involved, trying to give those more opportunities, trying to just help a little bit.”
“A $1,000 won’t pay for your degree, but it’ll help lessen that burden.”
The donations, either big or small are coming from people of all walks of life; from random people giving $10 to a former NFL quarterback pledging $1,000 along with prominent agents in the NFL.
Miller’s initial tweet announcing the scholarship efforts received backlash from people, even friends and family, upset about why Miller would limit the amount of people that could benefit from the scholarship to just people of color.
“I know this isn’t easy for some people to hear, but the playing field is not equal right now. We’re not starting at the same spot in life.”
But Miller says he knows people don’t have to agree with the notion but he’s not afraid to talk to them about it.
“I’d be happy to sit down and have a coffee or a beer with anyone who wants to discuss this and hopefully have an actual conversation instead the hatred that’s being thrown.”
Miller says he hopes anyone who disagrees can at least say they support education and people trying to make a better life for their family.
Miller outlines the criteria for a student to be eligible as this. They must be:
- Person of color
- Pursue a degree.
- Must volunteer 100 hours a year in their community, or hold a part time or full time job
Miller says students interested can email info@417foundation.com and talk about themselves and what they’re pursuing and what they want to do with their lives.
Miller says people looking for more information can find him on social media outlets with the username @NFLDraftScout or go to 417foundation.com.
The 417 foundation does many projects from by providing coats and warm clothes for kids in the winter, to its current project, raffling off a signed Christian McCaffrey helmet to help those who have lost income because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the time this story was written, a website is being made for applicants to go to but is not active.
