The Maier Foundation awarded Reconnecting McDowell three successive grants to fund its efforts to support educational improvement in the county. The grants, which were awarded in 2018-20, were used to fund $100,000 in For Our Future Scholarships for McDowell County high school students.
Awardees applied for the scholarship and were selected based on their demonstration of ongoing commitment to McDowell County, either through community activities, service, or other involvement with neighbors or community and neighborhood organizations. To be eligible, students had to be entering a four-year institution in West Virginia in the following fall semester.
They were awarded $5,000 each and received additional support during their sophomore year in college.