The Grainger Foundation’s $1 million gift is designed to support key initiatives in the Farmer School of Business and the John W. Altman Institute for Entrepreneurship, including scholarship support for first generation students and students from underserved populations, internship support for the Grainger Scholars, and advising support from the Farmer School Academic Advising Office.

Matching gifts from the Farmer Family Foundation and Miami University will transform the $1 million gift into a total of $2,175,000.

Up to ten Grainger Scholars a year will receive tuition, room and board, and coverage of fees up to $5,000 annually, dedicated academic and career advising, and guaranteed internships through the Altman Institute's acclaimed Altman Summer Scholars Internship Program. Grainger Scholars must be Ohio residents, and will participate in the Passport Program, a Farmer School of Business-created program designed specifically to provide an individualized support system for underserved populations and first-generation students.

"The Grainger Foundation has a rich history of supporting both entrepreneurship and higher education. Through this gift we are pleased we can help make both more accessible," said Jim Ryan, Grainger Foundation director.

Jenny Darroch, dean of the Farmer School of Business and Mitchell P. Rales Chair in BusinessLeadership commented, “This gift will allow our department of entrepreneurship to exponentially increase the number of first-gen students and students from underserved populations in Ohio who receive substantial scholarships and comprehensive support. This will allow more talented, deserving students to experience an education experience that is truly life-changing, and I could not be more thankful for this incredible gift.”

The Grainger Foundation is an independent private foundation based in Lake Forest, Illinois. It provides substantive support to a broad range of organizations including educational, medical, cultural, and human services institutions.