Bridge to the Future Scholarship

The Bridge to the Future Scholarship empowers students who have benefited from Tanager’s services to pursue their educational dreams. Whether attending college, trade school, or a community college, this scholarship provides financial support for tuition, books, tools, and other educational expenses. By investing in the future of our youth, we help them take the next step toward success.

Learn more about the scholarship and how to apply!

Realize Your Goals

The Bridge to the Future Scholarship was established in 2020 through a generous $1 million anonymous gift. Since its launch, the scholarship program as awarded and average of $50,000 or more annually to support youth who have benefited from Tanager’s services as they pursue their post-high school education, including college, trade school, and other career pathways.

Scholarship FAQs

Past or Current Service Recipient: Young people who have received Tanager services for a minimum of 6 months in the last two years
Goals & Plans: Young people must be able to articulate their academic or career goals and how they plan to achieve them

Tuition-any degree or program from an accredited institution including 2-year colleges, 4-year universities, online programs, trade schools, vocational programs, and certification programs.
Books & Materials-course fees, tools, supplies, or equipment needed as part of participation in educational program
Room & Board Costs
Certification or Licensure Fee

*all payments are made directly to the educational program

Online: Click on the button for the online application below. Complete and submit your full application online
Email: Click on the button below to download the application and email completed form as an attachment to scholarship@tanagerplace.org
Mail: Click on the button below to download the application. Complete the form and mail it to
- Bridge to the Future Scholarship-Tanager, 2309 C St SW, Cedar Rapids IA, 52404
Paper application forms are also available at Program Check-in Desks at Tanager Estle Center, 1030 5th Ave SE, Cedar Rapids IA

Want to stay informed on the latest scholarship updates? Join our newsletter list today and never miss an announcement!

Join Now

2025 Scholarship Application

Tanager is excited to announce we will be awarding $100,000 in scholarship funds in 2025. Links to the applications are located below. These applications are for awards that will be used the 2025-2026 academic year.

Application Window: February 1, 2025 to March 31, 2025- All applications due by midnight March 31, 2025
Awards Announced: By April 18, 2025
Disbursement of Awarded Funds: Funds are disbursed in two payments directly to the educational institution or program.
- First Payment: Sent by September 5, 2025
- Second Payment: Sent by February 6, 2025
- Note: dates can be adjusted to meet payment dates required by institution

New Applicants

Returning Applicants

Previous Awards

Bridge to the Future has made a total of 47 awards totaling $264,200 to local youth.

2024: Awarded 13 scholarships totaling $70,250
2023: Awarded 12 scholarships totaling $62,000
2022: Awarded 9 scholarships totaling $52,000
2021: Awarded 7 scholarships totaling $55,950
2020: Awarded 6 scholarships totaling $24,000

We are proud of our past scholars!

Bridge to the Future scholars have pursued and achieved a wide variety of dreams and goals.

Areas of Study

Culinary Arts
Business & Business Law
Interior Design
Nursing
Public Health
Sports Management
Entrepreneurial Studies
Carpentry
Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
German
Psychology
Management of Information Systems
Biochemistry
Political Science
Social Work
Child Welfare
Automotive Technology
Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Post-Secondary Programs Attended

Culinary Institute of America
Wartburg College
Des Moines Area Community College
University of Northern Iowa
University of Iowa
Coe College
Cornell College
Kirkwood Community College
Mount Mercy University
Marshalltown Community College
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Iowa Falls Community College

Are you interested in supporting the Bridge to the Future Scholarship Fund? We would love to connect, contact us at philanthropy@tanagerplace.org or call us at 319-365-9164 x522.