The Kroc Founders Leadership Scholarship

The Kroc Founders Leadership Scholarship was created by The Salvation Army Kroc Center Executive Staff and Advisory Board to honor the Kroc Founders who demonstrated visionary leadership and inspired the community to mobilize in bringing The Kroc Center to Coeur d’Alene. We wish to acknowledge and reward a high school senior for exhibiting these same leadership traits and capabilities.

CRITERIA
The Kroc Founders Scholarship is available only to high school students who are graduating in 2026 and are enrolling in a college or technical education program. By submitting an application you confirm that you fit these qualifications. Qualified applicants must be able to demonstrate the following:

• Plans to further their formal education beyond high school
• Examples of leadership at school, at work, at church, in the community, or within the home
• Home address in Idaho’s five northern counties

BACKGROUND

The Kroc Founders demonstrated extraordinary leadership by casting a compelling vision and inspiring generosity across the community to make The Kroc Center in Coeur d’Alene a reality. Through determination, collaboration, and servant leadership, they mobilized individuals, families, businesses, churches, and civic partners to invest in a shared dream — a place dedicated to strengthening individuals, families, and community life.

Their legacy reflects:

• Visionary leadership that unites a community around a common purpose
• Commitment to service and strengthening families
• Collaboration across diverse sectors of the community
• Perseverance in bringing transformational projects to life
• Investment in the next generation

This scholarship honors students who demonstrate similar initiative, character, and leadership in their schools, workplaces, churches, homes, and communities.

SCHOLARSHIP SELECTION & TIMELINE
The Board Development Committee of The Salvation Army Advisory Board will review applications and select up to 10 students to be notified in April 2026. A $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to each of the recipients.

RECOGNITION
Recipients will be notified in April 2026. The scholarship announcement will be shared with each student’s high school counseling office so that the recipient may be recognized at a spring awards ceremony. The recipient may also be featured in Kroc Center publications and social media.

Apply Now

Submission Deadline is 11:59pm on Friday, April 10, 2026

Major Ben Markham Continuing Education Scholarship

Majors Ben and JoAnn Markham served as officers in The Salvation Army for almost 40 years. In their final appointment, Major Ben served as the Executive Director for the Coeur d’Alene Kroc Center from 2009 to 2018. It was under his leadership that The Kroc Center surpassed all expectations for membership and in service to the community.

CRITERIA
The Major Ben Markham Continuing Education Scholarship is available only to a current college/technical education program student who is a current or previous Kroc employee/volunteer OR related to a Kroc employee/volunteer. Applicants may be previous Kroc scholarship recipients. Dual enrollment students do not qualify for this scholarship. 
By submitting an application you confirm that you meet these qualifications:

• Must be a current or previous Kroc employee or volunteer OR related to a Kroc employee/volunteer
• Current student enrolled or student re-enrolling in a higher education or technical program
• Demonstrate a GPA of 2.5 or higher
• Identify plans to continue higher education

BACKGROUND
The Major Benton Markham Continuing Education Scholarship was created by Dr. John Huckabay in 2019 to honor Major Ben’s vision of providing significant financial support to a deserving student pursuing a college degree or certificate. This scholarship celebrates higher education as a means to financial autonomy and growing a student’s God-given talents.

SCHOLARSHIP SELECTION TIMELINE
The Board Development Committee of The Salvation Army Advisory Board will review applications and select a student to be notified in April 2026. Two scholarships up to $4,500 may be awarded to help fund tuition and education expenses.

RECOGNITION
Recipients will be notified in April 2026. The recipient may also be featured in Kroc Center publications and social media.

Apply Now

Submission Deadline is 11:59pm on Friday, April 10, 2026

The Major Don Gilger Scholarship

Majors Don and Ronda Gilger served as officers in The Salvation Army for 41 years, their final 6 years were served here at The Coeur d’Alene Kroc Center. They led The Kroc Center as the Executive Directors from 2018–2025.

CRITERIA

The Major Don Gilger Scholarship is available to high school students graduating in 2026 from an accredited high school in Kootenai County or from Upper Columbia Academy in Spangle, Washington who plan to enroll in a Christian College or a technical education program. By submitting an application, you confirm that you fit these qualifications.

Beyond eligibility, this scholarship seeks students who demonstrate character, initiative, and a heart for others. Qualified applicants will clearly articulate:

• How their accomplishments have shaped their character and positively influenced the community around them.
• The impact of a mentor, leader, or community member who has helped guide and strengthen them.
• How pursuing education at a Christian college or technical program will equip them to make a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of others.

The Major Don Gilger Scholarship honors students who are not only preparing for a career, but who are preparing to serve and lead with purpose.

BACKGROUND

The Major Don Gilger Scholarship was established by Pepper Smock in 2025 to honor Major Don’s extraordinary legacy as Executive Director of The Salvation Army Kroc Center and his unwavering commitment to faith-filled leadership and sound Biblical education.

Major Don’s influence on The Kroc and the broader community was marked by integrity, humility, and a deep belief that education rooted in Christian values has the power to transform lives. He led with conviction, invested in people, and worked tirelessly to ensure that The Kroc Center would be a place where individuals and families could grow not only physically and socially, but spiritually.

This scholarship reflects Major Don’s heart for developing young leaders who are grounded in faith, committed to service, and prepared to make a meaningful impact in their communities. It stands as a tribute to his belief that education—particularly education shaped by Biblical principles—equips the next generation to lead with purpose, character, and compassion.

SCHOLARSHIP SELECTION TIMELINE

The Board Development Committee of The Salvation Army Advisory Board will review applications and select a student to be notified in April 2026. Approximately 10 $5,000 scholarships will be awarded.

RECOGNITION

The recipient will be notified in April 2026. The scholarship announcement will be shared with each student’s high school counseling office so that the recipient may be recognized at a spring awards ceremony. The recipient may also be featured in Kroc Center publications and social media.

Apply Now

Submission Deadline is 11:59pm on Friday, April 10, 2026

The Brendan Melendez Memorial Scholarship

Brendan Melendez was a dedicated Kroc Center lifeguard from 2013–2015. Brendan was a wonderful, loving person who was a hard-working college student at Eastern Washington University, and a beloved son and brother.

CRITERIA

The Brendan Melendez Memorial Scholarship is available to Coeur d’Alene Kroc Center em-ployees in high school or college who are 17 years old or older. They can be full time or part time employees, working anywhere in The Center. 

Beyond eligibility, the applicants should be able to demonstrate:

• Being currently enrolled or entering a university or college, in good standing with a university or college with a GPA of 2.5 or better. If entering from high school the student must have a diploma and a 3.2 GPA or better.
• High school diploma or university/college transcript
• Short statement how the scholarship will help the applicant achieve his or her goals.
• Simple financial statement as to the need for the scholarship.

Former or active military personnel applicants encouraged to apply with preference given.

BACKGROUND

This scholarship is to honor the memory of Brendan Melendez. He died suddenly at the age of 20 just weeks shy of his 21st birthday in the summer of 2015. To honor his memory, this scholarship fund gives financial aid to a Kroc Center lifeguard or other current Kroc employee who has a financial need and who exemplifies the true spirit of working with genuine care and compassion for Kroc members as Brendan did.

SCHOLARSHIP SELECTION TIMELINE

The Brendan Melendez Memorial Scholarship Committee will review all applicants and select a student to be notified in April 2026. One $1000 scholarship will be awarded. The applicant can apply annually for up to four academic years. The applicant must be an active working lifeguard or employee at The Kroc Center. The funds can be used for tuition, books, or supplies for any term during the awarded academic year

RECOGNITION

The recipient will be notified in April 2026. The scholarship announcement will be shared with each student’s high school counseling office so that the recipient may be recognized at a spring awards ceremony. The recipient may also be featured in Kroc Center publications and social media.

Apply Now

Submission Deadline is 11:59pm on Friday, April 10, 2026