Significant Challenge College Scholarship

About the Scholarship

From 2009 - 2023, Richie's Spirit Foundation awarded $48,750 in college scholarships to 42 graduating high school seniors who demonstrated leadership, character, and initiative in school and community affairs and merited academic achievement.

Over the span of 15 years, Richie’s Spirit Foundation received 25,700 applications from high school seniors all across the country. By completing the application, these students learned about Richie’s story and the importance of organ donation.

The Significant Challenge College Scholarship, Richie Spirit Foundation’s flagship grant program, is in memory of double-lung transplant recipient. Richie died in October 2007, just months short of finishing his senior year of high school. Since Richie never had the change to pursue his dreams and attend college, his spirit lives on in the 42 scholarship recipients who have faced significant challenges like Richie.

Richie’s Spirit Foundation’s Significant Challenge College Scholarship will not be awarded in 2024.

watch the 2023 Scholarship Award Ceremony: