Shawn Carter Foundation - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,815,251 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Applications close April 30, decision timeline not publicly specified
• Grant Range: $1,500 - $2,500 annually per scholar (up to $15,000 total from admission to graduation)
• Geographic Focus: National (USA)
• Number of Scholars: Average of 145 students supported annually; 137 national scholarships awarded for Fall 2023

Contact Details

Website: https://www.shawncartersf.com

Email:

• General inquiries: info@shawncartersf.com
• Scholarship applications: scsfapplicant@shawncartersf.com

Address: 1450 Brickell Ave 18th Floor, Miami, Florida 33131

Administrative Address: c/o Bessemer Trust, 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020

Overview

The Shawn Carter Foundation (also known as the Shawn Carter Scholarship Fund) was founded in 2003 by Gloria Carter and her son, Shawn "JAY-Z" Carter, to help students facing socio-economic hardships access higher education. As a 501(c)(3) public charity, the foundation has supported students for over two decades, with scholars now studying at over 100 institutions of higher learning throughout the nation. In 2023, the foundation provided $1,815,251 in grants, including 137 national scholarships and 5 fellowship grants. The foundation celebrated its 20th anniversary in July 2023 with a gala that raised $20 million, including a $10 million contribution from Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez and $2 million from Jack Dorsey. According to Charity Navigator, the program increases income for a scholarship recipient by more than $1.25 for every $1 spent, earning it a high impact score. The foundation maintains that 80% of all funds go directly to support programs rather than overhead expenses.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

National Scholarship Program (Rolling basis with annual deadline of April 30)

• Award Amount: $1,500 - $2,500 annually per student
• Maximum Total: Up to $15,000 from admission to graduation
• Application Method: Online application through foundation website
• Description: Multi-year renewable scholarships for high school seniors, GED holders, undergraduate students (2-year or 4-year), and students at vocational or trade schools. Funds can be applied to tuition, transportation, books, lab fees, travel, and select costs of living. Grants are paid directly to educational institutions.

Josh Dubin Fellowship (Invitation-based)

• Award Type: 7-week paid professional and educational development program
• Number of Awards: 5 fellowships awarded annually
• Description: Launched in January 2022, this immersive program provides exposure to the legal field through partnership with Dubin Research and Consulting and The Perlmutter Center for Legal Justice at Cardozo Law School.

Additional Programs:

• HBCU Bus Tour: Annual tour exposing aspiring college students to 11 Historically Black Colleges and Universities from Pennsylvania to Georgia. Over 500 students have attended since 2007, with over 95% earning acceptance to at least one HBCU visited. 44 students attended in 2023.
• NYLON Study Abroad Program: Cultural exchange program designed in partnership with University of the Arts London/London College of Communication
• Wealth Building Program: Financial education and development opportunities for scholars

Priority Areas

The foundation serves students who:

• Face socio-economic hardships including poverty, homelessness, teen pregnancy, former incarceration, or interrupted schooling
• Come from diverse backgrounds including single-parent households or the foster care system
• Demonstrate resilience, determination, and commitment to giving back to their communities
• Are pursuing their first undergraduate degree at accredited, degree-granting institutions
• Have generally earned GPAs between 2.0 and 3.0 (though higher GPAs are encouraged to apply)
• Have annual household adjusted gross income (AGI) of $75,000 or less on average

The foundation prioritizes character and determination over traditional academic merit, seeking students who "possess a genius level talent" and want to make positive contributions to their local and global communities.

What They Don't Fund

• Students pursuing graduate or professional degrees (undergraduate only)
• Students over 25 years old
• Non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents
• Students pursuing second undergraduate degrees
• Students not enrolled or planning to enroll at accredited institutions

Governance and Leadership

Co-Founders

Hon. Dr. Gloria Carter - Co-Founder Gloria Carter has been the driving force behind the foundation since its inception in 2003. As a single mother who worked multiple jobs to support her family in Brooklyn, she brings lived experience to the foundation's mission.

Key Quote: "There are a lot of young people who have low GPAs. A lot of those people don't even get looks for financial assistance. We can help those kids who can't get any help."

Shawn "JAY-Z" Carter - Co-Founder The rapper and entrepreneur co-founded the foundation with his mother, drawing on their shared experiences of overcoming socio-economic challenges.

Foundation Philosophy: "Core to The Foundation's overarching mission is to extend to students the same guidance and encouragement needed to achieve greatness that Gloria Carter gave JAY-Z at every stage of his life. Everyone possesses a genius level talent and The Shawn Carter Foundation's mission is to give a platform to achieve greatness."

Decision-Making

The foundation's management team, staff, and volunteers comprise an admissions committee that reviews scholarship applications. All applicants are evaluated on the strength of their essay, leadership experience, community service, and socio-economic factors.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Application Period: Opens April 1st annually

Deadline: April 30th at 11:59 PM EST

Application Method: Complete the online application through the foundation's website at shawncartersf.com. The 2025-26 SCF National Scholarship Application is currently closed; check the website after April 1st for the next cycle.

Important: Incomplete and late applications are not eligible and will not be considered.

Application Components

1. Personal Information: Demographic and contact details
2. Academic Information: GPA, current enrollment status, intended institution
3. Financial Information: Household income and financial need documentation
4. Essay: Brief persuasive essay about yourself, your activities, accomplishments, and how the award will benefit you. Demonstrate your commitment to give back to your community.
5. Extracurricular Activities: Detailed descriptions with specific information
6. Photo: Optional

Decision Timeline

• Application Opens: April 1st
• Application Deadline: April 30th (11:59 PM EST)
• Decision Notification: Timeline not publicly disclosed; successful applicants notified for Fall semester enrollment

Success Rates

While specific acceptance rates are not publicly disclosed, the foundation awarded 137 national scholarships and 5 fellowship grants for Fall 2023. With an average of 145 students supported annually across multiple years of study, the foundation maintains ongoing relationships with a substantial cohort of scholars.

Reapplication Policy

Renewal Process: Scholars must reapply annually to continue receiving funding throughout their undergraduate education. The foundation provides individual grants to every student who qualifies and reapplies yearly, from admission to graduation, up to the maximum total of $15,000.

Community Service Requirement: All Shawn Carter Scholars are required to "give back" by conducting community service and by serving as mentors to younger, aspiring Shawn Carter Scholars. Scholars and graduates collectively contribute nearly 4,000 hours annually to their communities.

Application Success Factors

What the Foundation Values Most

Character Over Academic Metrics: Unlike many traditional scholarships focusing on academic merit, this fund prioritizes the character and determination of the applicant. As Gloria Carter stated, "There are a lot of young people who have low GPAs. A lot of those people don't even get looks for financial assistance. We can help those kids who can't get any help."

Resilience and Overcoming Adversity: The foundation specifically seeks students who have faced personal, socio-economic setbacks and demonstrated resilience. They attract candidates from all backgrounds who have overcome challenges including teen pregnancy, former incarceration, interrupted schooling, poverty, and homelessness.

Community Service and Leadership: Leadership experience and community service are key evaluation criteria. The foundation values students who show commitment to giving back.

Quality of Essay: The strength of your essay is a critical component. The foundation wants to learn about your perspectives, experiences, and goals.

Foundation-Specific Application Tips

The foundation provides specific guidance to applicants:

1. Start Early: "Start your application early and complete it on time - the earlier you start the application, the better chance you have to submit the application before the deadline. You also have more time to ask us questions in case any part of the process needs clarification."

2. Be Specific: "Tell them about yourself and use specific details when sharing your extracurricular activities - they do not know anything about you until you share it with them, and specific details can help them understand how great you are."

3. Make Your Essay Personal: "They don't expect the essay to run too long but make sure your essay helps them learn more about you and your perspectives."

4. Proofread Thoroughly: "Review your application for grammar and spelling errors."

Scholar Success Stories

James Means enrolled in the foundation's college preparation program in 2014 and attended Virginia State University. Today, he is a seventh-grade math educator in Brooklyn, a graduate student pursuing his master's in education, the founder of Means Media and Marketing, and a team member and advisor at the foundation. His mother, Lynnette Means, brought not only James but also his brother Joshua and their cousin Monique into the program, exemplifying the foundation's family-centered approach.

Scholar Testimonial: One scholar stated, "The SCF made me believe anything is possible because although I was denied many scholarships in the past, I was ecstatic once I received my scholarship with SCF," noting that the organization helped them become a first-generation college graduate for their family.

Dubin Fellows Impact: The first 5 Dubin Fellows worked on social justice initiatives, including helping to free wrongfully convicted Bruce Bryant, whose sentence was recently commuted by NY Governor Hochul.

What Makes Applications Stand Out

According to the foundation's evaluation criteria:

• Compelling personal narrative: Share your specific story of resilience and determination
• Demonstrated leadership: Show how you've taken initiative in your school or community
• Commitment to service: Evidence of giving back to others despite your own challenges
• Clear educational goals: Articulate how higher education will help you achieve your aspirations
• Authentic voice: Write in your own voice about what truly matters to you

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Focus on Character and Resilience: This foundation explicitly prioritizes students with GPAs between 2.0-3.0 who have overcome significant obstacles. If your client has faced hardship but demonstrates determination, they are an ideal candidate.

2. Emphasize Community Service: All scholars must give back through community service and mentoring. Highlight existing community involvement and commitment to future service.

3. Be Specific and Personal: The foundation's own guidance stresses using specific details about activities and experiences. Generic applications won't stand out.

4. Start Early and Communicate: The foundation welcomes questions during the application process and encourages early submission. Don't wait until the deadline.

5. Renewable Support is Available: This isn't a one-time award - students can receive support throughout their undergraduate education by reapplying annually, making it valuable for students who need multi-year support.

6. Look Beyond the Scholarship: The foundation offers comprehensive support including study abroad opportunities, HBCU bus tours, fellowship programs, and wealth-building education. Scholars gain access to a supportive community beyond financial aid.

7. Income Requirements Are Guidelines: While selected applicants average $75,000 or less in household AGI, this is described as "on average," suggesting some flexibility for compelling candidates.

References

• Shawn Carter Foundation Official Website. "Scholarship Program." https://shawncartersf.com/scholarship/. Accessed February 2026.
• Shawn Carter Foundation. "About - Our Story." https://shawncartersf.com/about-history/. Accessed February 2026.
• Shawn Carter Foundation. "Our Scholars." https://shawncartersf.com/about-alumni/. Accessed February 2026.
• Shawn Carter Foundation. "Programs - Main Page." https://shawncartersf.com/our-programs/. Accessed February 2026.
• Shawn Carter Foundation. "Josh Dubin Fellowship." https://shawncartersf.com/jdf/. Accessed February 2026.
• Shawn Carter Foundation. "Contact Us." https://shawncartersf.com/contact/. Accessed February 2026.
• Cause IQ. "Shawn Carter Scholarship Fund." https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/shawn-carter-scholarship-fund,113662240/. Accessed February 2026.
• Charity Navigator. "Rating for The Shawn Carter Foundation." https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/113662240. Accessed February 2026.
• Billboard. "Jay-Z's Shawn Carter Foundation Raises $20 Million at 20th Anniversary Gala in New York." July 2023. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/jay-z-beyonce-shawn-carter-foundation-gala-2023-1235372448/. Accessed February 2026.
• Vibe Magazine. "JAY-Z, Gloria Carter Celebrate Shawn Carter Foundation's Anniversary With Star-Studded Gala." July 2023. https://www.vibe.com/gallery/jay-z-shawn-carter-foundation-20th-anniversary-gala-1234772724/. Accessed February 2026.
• The EDU Ledger. "Shawn Carter Foundation Transforms College Access Through Family Support." https://www.theeduledger.com/students/article/15772473/shawn-carter-foundation-transforms-college-access-through-family-support. Accessed February 2026.
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "Shawn Carter Scholarship Fund." https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/113662240. Accessed February 2026.
• Bright Horizons College Coach. "Scholarship Spotlight: Shawn Carter Foundation Scholarship." https://blog.getintocollege.com/scholarship-spotlight-shawn-carter-foundation-scholarship. Accessed February 2026.