About us

The Donnie Shell Scholarship Foundation (DSSF)

The Donnie Shell Scholarship Foundation (DSSF) was created by Donnie and Paulette Shell to fill in the financial gap for students attending Historic Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).

DSSF strives to assist dedicated students from diverse economic circumstances.  Many of these students do not have the financial means to attend college and are often denied the opportunity to develop their full potential.  To help alleviate these crippling financial obstacles, DSSF partners with select HBCUs to provide support in the forms of scholarships and a needs assistance fund.

Donnie Shell, the foundation’s chairman, identifies with these students on how it feels to not be able to pay for a college education. He came from a family of nine brothers and sisters and his parents could not afford to pay to send him to college.  Shell was able to obtain an athletic scholarship to help fulfill his dreams of receiving a college degree.  Shell’s passion for helping today’s students is heavily influenced by the help he received many years ago.

The Donnie Shell Scholarship Foundation is independently operated by its Board of Directors as a non-profit (501-c-3) organization.  All donations are tax deductible, as allowed by IRS guidelines.

Education is the process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, morals, beliefs, and habits. Educational methods include teaching, training, storytelling, discussion and directed.

Vision Statement

Our goal is to help alleviate any monetary obstacles that will hinder academically gifted students from reaching their full potential. Donnie Shell Scholarship Foundation was established by the personal experiences of its founder and the hardships he endured to become a successful college graduate.

We envision the hopes, dreams, & aspirations of future college graduates as we strive to help them achieve greatness. Our scholarships and endowment will fund a legacy of leaders that will impact future generations. Building a solid financial foundation today by supporting students will inspire them to continue the legacy of stewardship tomorrow.

The heart, perseverance, intentionality, and strength of our founders are woven into all aspects of the Donnie Shell Scholarship Foundation. Their legacy will guide us as we make dreams come true for dynamic leaders and changemakers in our community.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to expand our reach and resources to impact more lives by providing financial means for high potential students to obtain a college education. We will be the catalyst that gives opportunities for students to reach their postsecondary goals.  Donnie Shell Scholarship Foundation believes that no student should ever fail to benefit from an education due to a lack of resources. We will purposefully seek to break financial barriers that hinder scholars from pursuing their dreams.

Our Team

DONNIE SHELL

Chairman

OCTAVIUS RICE

Board Member

PAULETTE SHELL

Vice President

DAWN SALTERS

Board Member

DONNIE LAMONT SHELL

Executive Director

KEITH SALTERS

Board Member

APRIL SHELL

Secretary

JAMEKA HAYNES

Development Coordinator

Endowment

Endowments are designed to keep the principal amount intact while using the investment income for charitable purposes.

We need your philanthropic support to help expand our reach and resources to impact more lives through our endowment fund. There are future doctors, lawyers, engineers, CEO’s, Entrepreneurs, and many other dynamic leaders that are in need of an advocate with your heart to make their dreams come true of becoming change makers for the next generation

Why YOU should support the Donnie Shell Scholarship Foundation TODAY:

Your Contribution Today can impact deserving students to break generational obstacles and rise to their highest potential.

A gift of $75 contributes to: Covering Library Fees

A gift of $100 contributes to: Providing Health Services

A gift of $250 contributes to: Student Technology or Athletic Fees

A gift of $500 contributes to: PT Credit Hour for students that can afford to go FT

A gift of $1,000 contributes to: 21 Meals Per Week for 1 student

A gift of $2,500 contributes to: Covering books and supplies

A gift of $5,000 contributes to: Supporting the cost of Room/Board

A gift of $10,000 contributes to: Supporting the cost of Tuition for 1 student

Scholarships

When enrolled in the DSSF Program, students must maintain a 2.5 – 3.0 GPA as well as conduct themselves as an outstanding member of the student body.

The program identifies it selected students by assessing their financial needs in the following areas.

1. Assistance with coursework needs (books, lab equipment, etc.)

2. Assistance with outstanding Financial Balances

3. Assistance after financial aid has been exhausted

4. Assistance with graduation requirements (GAP Scholarship)

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