Bachman Foundation Scholarships And Grants

Each quarter we award individual scholarships as well as grants for educational programs. Parents, guardians, and organizations of East Tennessee are encouraged to apply with us.

Bachman Foundation’s first priority is to aid students in East Tennessee with learning differences. The Foundation awards funds for educational programs that serve students from pre-school to those transitioning into independent life.

Total Funds Awarded: $653,014.32

Bachman Reaches a Milestone in 2023

The Bachman Foundation reached a milestone in July 2023, according to its Executive Director, Mark Frizzell.

“We’ve been in business for five years, and we have given away $500,000.00,” he said during a check presentation to several area nonprofit organizations on Monday, July 17, 2023.

Frizzell told the Cleveland Daily Banner that “serving children has always been the vision of Bachman. The foundation has allowed us to expand on that by helping over 30 organizations and hundreds of individuals in East Tennessee reach their full potential.” 

The foundation was established when Bachman Academy was closed due to declining enrollment caused by more schools offering learning intervention programs for students with learning differences. The academy had housed students from around the globe.

The proceeds from the sale of its 200-acre campus are used to make the donations to organizations that assist students who learn differently.

The foundation continued its mission to support those learning programs, with its board of directors presenting a total of $26,000 to Signal Centers, the United Way of the Ocoee Region, to Skyuka Hall where the three children of Ben Kaiser will attend and to Shenandoah Baptist Academy where Kami Clark’s son Landry will attend.

Signal Centers’ Donna McConnico and Mike Slocumb said the donation their organization received will help fund summer camps for children with disabilities, as well as day programs for adults.

The donation to the United Way will fund distribution of books donated by Imagination Library.

A check was presented to Ben Kaiser, which will pay tuition for his children — Clementine Kaiser, Owen Kaiser and Ellora Kaiser — to attend Skyuka Hall School.

Kami Clark, mother of Landy Clark, received funds for her son to attend Shenandoah Baptist Academy.

Jeff Gregory, who serves on Bachman’s board, said that while Bachman Academy no longer exists, the foundation is continuing its mission to help special learners.

“We have reached a lot of kids, but we could have never touched the organizations that we do today,” Jeff said. “And, it’s a lot more fun giving it away than it is raising it.”
[July 17, 2023]

Bachman Foundation awarded grants to diverse programs such as:

The Jane Scruggs Scholarship

Jane Scruggs is a woman of faith, family values, high integrity, philanthropy and commitment.

Supporting Bachman’s mission for more than 69 years, Scruggs first became involved with Bachman Memorial Home Inc. in 1952 when she and her husband sponsored two Bachman children through her Sunday school class at Brainerd Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga.

Her involvement with Bachman Memorial Home Inc. deepened over the years and she served in many capacities. Always a woman of action, Scruggs could be found painting buildings on campus, serving on the board of trustees, generously donating financially, and fundraising by relaying the importance of Bachman’s mission. To the present day, Scruggs still embodies the heart of a servant leader who creates positive change.

In her honor, Bachman Foundation awards an annual scholarship of $10,000.00 to organizations or individuals that exemplify the character traits of Jane Scruggs. Whether it is an organization that is also committed to serve children with educational differences or a child who perseveres through challenges, the Jane Scruggs Scholarship recognizes the kindred spirit they share with Jane.

Jane is one of the most incredible persons I have been associated with during my tenure at Bachman. Her actions make her extraordinary and Bachman has been blessed by this wonderful lady. The Jane Scruggs Scholarship will allow her blessing to continue in the future.

Bachman Foundation does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of any applicable protected classification including, but not limited to, race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities and operations include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, advertising for available scholarships, selection of scholarship recipients, and the provision of related services. Bachman Foundation is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of its staff, volunteers, vendors, applicants, and scholarship recipients.