LANSING PROMISE

2024 - 2025 IMPACT REPORT

  • At Lansing Promise, we believe every young person in our city matters, has value, and can make a difference. We show that belief by giving scholarship support for education after high school and by offering support and guidance to students who qualify. Our goal is to help every student reach their full potential. By doing this, we are helping build a stronger future for families and the economy in the Michigan capital region.

    Lansing Promise is a place-based scholarship program that plays an active role in helping students succeed now and in the future. We do this by raising money and using it in strategic ways to support students. We also work to create the right conditions for success by providing the resources and support students need after high school and beyond. We do this work together with our partners across the city, including families, teachers, students, and leaders from other nonprofit groups, businesses, and faith-based communities.

    Through our work at Lansing Promise, we imagine a community where every young person has the chance to follow their dreams and succeed. We want all students to feel supported, cared for, and encouraged as they build a better future for themselves, their families, and their community.

  • The Lansing Promise is a place-based scholarship program taking an active role in the success of our current and future scholars. We fulfill that role by raising and investing funds strategically, fostering the conditions for and the tools, resources and support necessary for success after high school and beyond on behalf of all of Lansing’s young people. We set those conditions in concert with strategic partnerships across the city, working with families, educators, students and leaders in the nonprofit, business, elected and faith communities.

  • In Lansing, when a student lives, attends and graduates within the Lansing School District boundaries, 9th through 12th grades from a public, private, home, charter, online or GED program, they are a potential Promise scholar. Upon acceptance, each scholar is eligible to receive gap-filling tuition assistance at Lansing Community College, which includes all tuition, course fees, and books necessary to complete an associates degree. Should a scholar wish to earn a bachelor’s degree, they may choose to receive an award of up to $10,000 toward their first two years at Michigan State University, The University of Olivet, Davenport University or Douglas J Aveda Institute. Finally, a scholar may also choose to use their scholarship support becoming certified in a skilled or professional trade through a local Promise-approved trades program.

  • At the Lansing Promise, we imagine a community where every young person has the opportunity to dream, the ability to thrive, and the love, support and investment needed to build a brighter future—for themselves, their families and their community.

“Being a Lansing Promise scholar means that there is a community ready and willing to invest in my future and my goals.”

“Lansing Promise scholars are capable of achieving anything they set their minds to; and the amazing thing is that there are so many people who want to help you succeed and want to support your goals.”

  • Lansing Promise Foundation and Lansing Promise Zone Authority work together to help Lansing’s students achieve their full potential by reducing financial barriers to success after high school.

  • Established in 2012, the Lansing Promise Foundation is the 501c3 nonprofit organization responsible for the administration of Promise scholarships, strategic readiness investment, the acceptance and handling of funds, and the day-to-day work of the organization.

    Abel Travis, Chair, Brotherhood Mutual

    Carmen Argersinger, Vice Chair, Delta Dental

    Jon Lundy, Treasurer

    Nino Rodriguez, Secretary, Lansing Board of Education

    Kellie P. Dean, Immediate Past Chair, Dean Transportation

    Chuck Alberts, LSEA

    Lea Ammerman, MSUFCU

    Jessica Benavides, Lansing School District

    Leslie Batchelor, PNC

    Dominic Carbone, Hungry Howie’s

    Stella Cash, Community Champion

    DeShon Leek, Michigan Building & Construction Trades Council

    Chris Holman, Michigan Business Network

    DeYeya Jones, Sutton Advisors

    Mayor Andy Schor, City of Lansing

    Jen Sturdy, King Media

    Rick Wendorf, Retired educator

    Adam Williams, MissionsFilled

    Candace Williams, LAFCU

    Michael Yankowski, Michigan State University

    Mike Maurer, AF Group

  • Established in 2009 through the Michigan Promise Zones Act, the Lansing Promise Zone Authority is overseen by the Michigan Department of Treasury and receives future tax capture funds for scholarship investment through a tax increment financing district. The Zone Authority maintains scholarship reporting while creating a long-term and sustainable source of funding.

    Abel Travis, Chair, Brotherhood Mutual

    Carmen Argersinger, Vice Chair, Delta Dental

    Guillermo Lopez, Treasurer, Lansing Board of Education

    Michael Yankowski, Secretary, Michigan State University

    Toni Glasscoe, Lansing Community College

    Susan Porrett, Davenport University

    Dave Weatherspoon, Michigan State University

    Gabrielle Lawrence, Foster Swift Collins & Smith, PC

    Andy Shaver, MI House of Representatives

  • The Lansing Promise community is a network of champions, partners and supporters each playing a critical role in Promise scholar success.

    PROMISE CHAMPIONS

    AF Group
    Capital Region Community Foundation 
    Dart Bank
    Dean Transportation
    Delta Dental
    Emergent BioSolutions
    Jackson
    Joe D. Pentecost Foundation
    MSUFCU
    PNC
    R.E. Olds Foundation
    The Izzo Legacy

    PROMISE SUPPORTERS + PARTNERS

    Ammon Pence Group
    Auto-Owners Insurance
    Blue Cross Blue Shield
    C2AE
    Cinnaire
    City of Lansing
    DBI
    Douglas J
    F.D. Hayes
    Fahey Schultz Burzych Rhodes
    Farm Bureau 
    Granger Construction
    LAFCU
    Lansing Board of Water and Light
    Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce
    Lansing School District
    Maner Costerisan
    Michigan Business Network
    Rathbun Insurance
    Shaheen Chevrolet
    TechSmith
    Tri-Star Trust Bank

    POST-SECONDARY PARTNERS

    Davenport University
    Douglas J Institute
    Lansing Community College
    Michigan State University
    The University of Olivet
    …and many skilled-trades partners on the way!

    NONPROFIT PARTNERS

    All of the Above Hip Hop Academy
    Big Brother Big Sisters 
    BOLD Lansing
    Boys and Girls Club of Lansing
    Brotherhood Against Drugs
    Capital Area College Access Network
    Capital Area District Library
    Capital Area Michigan Works!
    Communities in Schools Michigan
    Impression 5 Science Center
    Lansing SAVE
    Lansing Economic Area Partnership
    Lansing Empowerment Network
    Love the City - City Life
    Michigan College Access Network
    Michigan Promise Zone Association
    Mikey23 Foundation
    Ourspace Foundation
    Reach Studio Art Center
    The Fledge
    The Village Lansing
    Transcendence Performing Arts Center

“Promise has been a home-base for me, and has constantly instilled the value in me that I am valuable and belong in the spaces that I strive to be in.”

OUR TEAM

Jayme A. King, Executive Director

Triquita Hicks, Executive Assistant

Amanda Cena, Operations Administrator

Teri Bernero, Scholarship Director

Ben Moore, Advancement & Communications/Marketing Specialist