Five students will receive a total of $12,500 in scholarship funds for the 2023-2024 school year.
"We're looking forward to announcing this year's scholarship and are giving out even more money to students in need," said Laura Zander, co-founder of Jimmy Beans Wool. "This year, Jimmy Beans Wool is partnering with Madelinetosh and more industry sponsors to give out five scholarships valued at $2,500 each. Our collective hope is to offer a little peace of mind to student makers in the form of financial assistance for tuition and fees."
Established in 2010, the scholarship program was created to help aspiring knitters, crocheters, weavers, and students attend college or university and to date has awarded over $68K in scholarship funds and has helped students in the past go to places such as University of Nevada, Reno, Portland State University, Yale University, and Harvard University.
"I was inspired to start this scholarship as a result of my own experience," Zander said. "As a self-funded student, I was always on the lookout for niche scholarships like Beans for Brains to help me pay for everything."
Beans for Brains recognizes students for a variety of criteria such as GPA, community service, project knowledge, financial need, and more while uplifting their creativity through the fiber arts.
Jimmy Beans Wool, Urth Yarns, Cascade Yarns, and Madelinetosh will sponsor the five $2,500 scholarship awards with an additional contributions from Berroco Yarns, Katrinkles, and della Q. The five finalists will be announced in July 2023.
Applications are open to students who have a 3.0 GPA and knit, crochet or weave with consideration going to those who have financial needs.
- The application will open on March 1st.
- The application closes May 24th.
- Winners will be contacted June 26-30th
- Winners will be announced on or around July 3rd.
For more information contact: scholarship@jimmybeanswool.com.
About Jimmy Beans Wool: At the downturn of the dotcom boom, former Silicon Valley engineers Laura and Doug Zander moved to the mountains and opened up a tiny yarn shop in Truckee, California. Jimmy, as Laura is lovingly known, sold coffee alongside the wool (hence the Beans in the name) and Jimmy Beans Wool was born. In 2004, the company settled down in Reno, Nevada where they currently reside today. They occupy an expansive 20,000 sq. ft. warehouse, are considered one of the country's leading destination yarn shops, employ 35 team members, and have built a loyal following and impressive online presence. Along with yarn, Jimmy Beans also provides consumers the most innovative crafting products and accessories, recently acquiring Madelinetosh and della Q, two beloved companies amongst knitters, crocheters, and makers. Jimmy Beans will continue to develop products under their patent pending Jimmy's SmartStix, plus hooks, needles, and notions.