EALgreen was founded to provide need based scholarships to deserving students. The focus is on students who have exhausted all other forms of aid and still lack the funds needed to complete their degree.
EAL's concept for generating scholarships is unique. EAL takes excess inventory from corporations and barters this to schools in return for scholarships for needy students . This is a "win-win" for everyone in that corporations dispose of unneeded inventory; schools get usable items at a significantly discounted cost (which is then converted to scholarships); students get needed scholarship support; and donated materials are, as a result, recycled and not disposed of in landfills. It is truly a circular approach to sustainably.
EAL has generated over $25 million in scholarships and has assisted over 18000 students in its 37 years of existence.
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Both as the co-founder and board member of this outstanding organization , I have witnessed its growth over the past 35 years as we have helped over 15,000 students complete their goal of attaining a college education. Many of these were the first in their families. EALgreen has given them a head start on advancing up the ladder of opportunity. Hopefully, many will give back the gift of education to others as they progress in their careers ... just as EALgreen has done for them.
This is one of the most unique nonprofit that I have been involved in. With current state of higher education financial crisis for our younger generation as well as the environment sustainability challenges, EAL addresses both in a unique way by implementing a robust supply chain process and partnering with corporations and higher education institutions to achieve its goal. Keep up the great work!
Education is the most important factor that can positively influence a person's life. EALgreen makes education possible by providing scholarships to eligible students to help them fulfil their dreams. EALGreen also solves the excess inventory issues for businesses and recycle/reuse the products which contributes to a greener environment. Over 17,000 students served and 21 million in scholarships!
I have been associated with this super organization for 6 years as a board member. I have witnessed first hand how the handling of obsolete or damaged materials can both reduce waste and most importantly be used to help students get a college education. through scholarships. EALgreen has developed strong partner relationships on the supply side of this business and with universities in the mid-West and now on the west coast. It has been gratifying to see how much our organization has grown and has increased significantly the numbers of students it serves.
For more than 30 years, EAL has partnered with a network of socially responsible businesses to turn donated equipment into critical student scholarships. Our need based scholarships make a real difference in the lives of young people, who will enter the workplace prepared for innovation and leadership. I am proud to serve on the board, and I am excited for the future of young talent. Pamela Bozeman
For over a decade, I've been a board member for EALgreen. During that time, I've seen first hand how the has organization remain committed to its mission of creating scholarships and
educational opportunities for financially disadvantaged students, while also growing the organization and the scope of resources it provides to students. In addition to generating additional scholarships, EALgreen has intentionally pursued a path to increase its positive impact in on environmental sustainability. I look forward to see how EALgreen will continue to innovate and proactively address the needs of students , donor organizations, and the environment.
I have been a board member of EAL for about 30 years. During that time, I have been heartened to see so many students with financial need able to attend post-secondary institutions with EAL’s help. Not only are needy students helped but also donors are able to obtain tax benefits and to see their donated inventory placed with colleges and universities at reduced cost, helping those institutions reduce their operating costs. And, by placing that inventory, EAL is helping reduce the products that would otherwise end up in landfills.
I can still remember the day EAL changed my life. I was 19 years old and had nothing but a dream to attend college. A single act of kindness to award me a scholarship in 1982 changed my life forever. This year, I celebrate the legacy of EAL's mission as we awarded the 18,000th scholarship, yes, that's right. We have helped 18,000 students make their dreams come true and better their lives through education. Being EAL's President & CEO has brought my dream full circle.
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It may seem obvious that I would give EALgreen a Five Star rating. After all, this extraordinary nonprofit shaped my life into the person I am today. With nothing bigger or more valuable than a dream, I came to the United Stated from Argentina in the early 80's. In a stroke of good luck, I met the founders of EAL who had sat out to find private sector solutions to public problems. Their pay-it-forward formula was based on their dream to help financially disadvantaged college students receive an education. Their noble intent was born out of their own experience of receiving a helping hand in their pursuit of becoming college educated. And indeed, they did. Not only they became successful corporate leaders, they believed that education was and still is the answer to many of our own problems. They had first hand-experience of the power of education. Much more than a scholarship, the EAL business model is an ingenious and pioneering model that's a triple win for businesses, society and the planet. Almost 40 years ago, Swede and Dan had a powerful vision to turn surplus inventory into savings for colleges and less waste for the environment. By engineering a marketplace of corporate donors and institutions of higher education, they created a successful new model that has help fund the college education of more than 16,000 students nationwide. Today, the EALgreen team remains committed to education. Our team is innovative, skilled and passionate about our mission to help improve the world for all.
We've had a great experience working with EALgreen. We've gotten some great tools, including two hydraulic tables, for a great price in perfect condition. That the money saved goes to create scholarships for our students is amazing! I tell my peers who run shop spaces at other academic institutions about the benefits of working with them, though hope they don't buys the tools we want before we get to them!
Northland College, recognized for its commitment to sustainability, benefits from a 30-year relationship with EALgreen that began in 1989. This collaboration has generated more than $275,000 in scholarship assistance for students with financial need. These awards reduce the debt that students incur through underwriting tuition waivers as well as monetary support in completing their academic careers in Ashland, Wisconsin. When facilities began reporting to me about a year and a half ago, the department needed to be restocked following a period of outsourcing. Whereas the campus had purchased intermittently from EAL—usually larger items—over the years, more recently I’ve been buying tools and the basic equipment we use in daily operations. The inventory offered by EAL provides an incredible opportunity to rebuild the department with high quality products at a fraction of retail prices. On behalf of Northland students, it’s a privilege to shop for supplies and equipment donated by manufacturers and distributors—giving these items a second chance to be used rather than to enter the waste stream contributes to Northland’s efforts to lead higher education on issues of sustainability: Northland College earned a STARS Gold rating in recognition of its sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) in 2018.
Todd Pydo
Executive Director of Information Technology and Facilities
Northland College
Ashland, Wisconsin 54806
As a higher education professional, I had the pleasure of working with Claudia Freed of EALgreen, while serving at a private liberal arts college. EAL's compelling business model for transforming surplus inventory into critical scholarship support for financially disadvantaged students is impressive. I've seen the impact it has made firsthand and cannot think of a better way to promote a circular economy and help make college attainable for others. I hope more universities and colleges choose partnership with EAL to provide needed scholarship dollars to their students.
I have worked with Lea Ann and Claudia this year through their involvement with my Association (Valley Industrial Assoc) and we have been very blessed to have their involvement. Our Association has an Awards program and through their support we have been able to create benchmarking criteria for best practices in numerous categories. Claudia's involvement with our Financial Leaders group has also been a great asset and they are both always willing to share and give back.
Each year I write multiple applications for scholarships. I strive to earn as many awards as I can so I can decrease my debt load. On paper I don’t qualify for a scholarship program like EALgreen’s and I currently attend a public university where it isn’t offered, but I am delighted that my friends at smaller colleges receive these opportunities. I’m also a big believer in green solutions—I truly worry about the future of the planet because I only too clearly understand the realities and negative consequences of global warming and climate change. I am studying to become an engineer to combat these outcomes, and I’m glad to know there are nonprofits like EAL working to solve these problems as well.
I am proud to support EALgreen’s commitment to education and the environment. I have seen first-hand the positive impact of this business model on the lives of students who lack the funds to pay for college. I am particularly impressed by EAL’s support of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals around responsible consumption. Thank you EAL for allowing my business to partner in this win-win model.
I have been privileged to work with EALgreen for over 20 years providing IT support. It has been personally fulfilling to assist their mission of furthering the educational achievements of deserving students while advancing the realization of a sustainable economy. The vision that led to the creation of EAL has resulted in an organization that is one of the leaders in helping corporations implement Green concepts in the furtherance of educational goals. Succeeding in linking these two disparate areas for the benefit of students is a signal accomplishment and I look forward to helping EALgreen continue to grow this enterprise for years to come.
I became aware of EALgreen through a colleague who works as a consultant to the organization. As a long-term student—Bachelor’s degree from Carleton College, Master’s degree from Northwestern and JD from Chicago Kent—I truly believe in the power of higher education to change lives and provide opportunities. Like many EALgreen Scholars, I was the first member of my family to attend college. It would have been immensely helpful to have been awarded a scholarship on the basis of financial need rather than through competitive and laborious essay writing processes that many students must navigate.
While my years in higher education began in the early 1980s when the costs of tuition were significantly less than they are today, I still confronted the obligation of repaying debt following each commencement. That responsibility is exponentially more challenging for today’s new graduates.
No strings attached scholarship programs like EAL’s are too few and far between for the many students who qualify for assistance. I was pleasantly surprised to learn about this nonprofit’s unique mission, and I am pleased to provide this review.
Alan Gloeckle
A member of my family works with the organization. My mom and her sister wouldn't have been able to earn both baccalaureate and master's degrees without scholarships so I'm happy to provide a review and to acknowledge the existence of such an important organization.
As a graduate student, it's difficult to express how vital grants and scholarships have been in my own journey. A great deal of my classmates know what it is to work 30 to 40 hours a week while pursuing a degree full time and relying on grants and student loans to cover tuition as well as basic living expenses. We all rely on partnerships in becoming the best versions of ourselves and in investing in our collective future - EAL's contribution and role in this movement forward is indispensable!!
I am a very proud Board member of EAL. This is an organization that has helped hundreds of young people realize their dream of a college education and has done so without resorting to seeking donations from the general public. In fact, it is an organization that creates wealth from waste for the benefit of our nation and specifically for our university students.
Dear EALgreen Board of Trustees, my name is Noah Gibson and I wanted to tell you how grateful I am for this scholarship you have given to me. I am amazed that there are people like you wanting to help out the younger generation. I will forever be grateful for this scholarship in life. I one day hope to be a youth pastor and this helps pay off a lot of debt before I even get out of college. I would once again like to mention just how truly grateful I am for this scholarship. You are truly doing amazing things by helping me out. I want to get good grades and be at the top of my class when it comes to knowing what I am learning. I will not take this scholarship for granted and understand that it is a sacrifice you all are making in order to help someone else out. I hope to honor God with my life and you people are allowing me to follow my calling to become a youth pastor.
In His name,
Noah.
Recipient of the Educational Assistance Scholarship!
Three years ago, I was performing at the Grand Central Shuttle “s" train station during the weekdays from 6am to 9am, practicing my audition repertoire for Manhattan School of Music (MSM). It had always been my dream to earn a degree from MSM because I believed MSM was the rite of passage to actualizing my dream of becoming a world renowned soloist, and this was in fact, my second audition to MSM. My first failed audition was during the sophomore year of my undergraduate degree at South Carolina State University.
With this prior failure in mind, I was very determined to pass my audition to earn an acceptance into MSM's Master of Music program. I also knew that I could not afford MSM's tuition, but I had put all my eggs in this one basket and envisioned myself passing the audition process, and telling myself I would cross that bridge when I got there. The audition day came, I audition and felt that I did my best and I left it all out there. Again, I did not know how I was going to pay the tuition and fees if I did get accepted into MSM. Coming from a family of Nine children (to the same parents), I knew that my parents weren't financially capable to pay for my school fees and at the same time, take care of my younger siblings. I didn't even want to burden my parents with the thoughts but something within me told me to speak to my parents about it and I did.
After speaking with my parents, they left me with three nuggets of wisdom. The first was; Good things happen to those who practice, those who are patient, persistent, and to those who pray. The second was; the universe responds to the thoughts we put out. Lastly, it takes a village to raise a child. Their words of wisdom were very reassuring and gave me a sense of confidence and belief in my preparation for the audition.
I'll never forget the morning I received the acceptance letter from MSM. It was just another Tuesday morning and I was in my routine of checking my emails before heading down to grand central to perform. I remember opening the email and scrolling down looking for the rejection and it wasn't until I scrolled back up to reread the email that I realized the big headline at the top that read, "CONGRATULATION! You've been accepted to Manhattan School of Music and awarded a $15,000 Scholarship from the Educational Assistance Program!" My prayers had been answered!
I said all that to say this, I believe that EALGreen's MAJOR role in financially assisting me to actualize my dream was directly linked to the nuggets of wisdom my parents gave me. EALGreen's assistance was one of the good things that happened to me based on my practice, patience, persistence and prayer. EALGreen was the universe responding to my thoughts and EALGreen is part of that village it takes to raise a child.
I am beyond grateful for EALGreen’s financial assistance and how it has tremendously impacted my life. Because of EALGreen, I was able to take a major step in actualizing my dream of becoming a world renowned soloist, I am now a proud alumnus of MSM, but most importantly, EALGreen, has helped put me in a position to help inspire our youth. I would also add that I felt very special that Ms. Freed took the time out of her day to come and visit MSM and also met with me! I've added a photo we took after our meeting.
Left to Right: Ms. Chamberliain - CEO of the Hultz Foudation, Me (Carrying Ms. Chamberlain's beautiful dog), Mr. Plaza - Director of facilities and Campus Safety, and Ms. Freed - CEO of EALGreen. Again, major thanks to Ms. Freed and EALGreen for playing a vital role in helping me actualize my dream.
Gratefully,
Eganam Segbefia
Manhattan School of Music
Classical Trumpet M.M. 18'
EALgreen is an inspiration! A dynamic example of sustainability in the modern world.
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One of the loveliest parts of growing into an adult has been the appreciation I’ve developed for my own education. Even more than that, for my own mother.
Understanding her story, her journey to citizenship in this country, to an education, and now to a flourishing, successful, and compassionate member of the non-profit community is nothing short of inspiring. Growing up, we were reminded daily of the value of education; I figured all families were like this, all moms cared about the future success of their children. What I realize now is the exceptional luck I truly had of growing in a household with a person, friend, entrepreneur, and mother like Claudia Freed, because not all families are like this.
Watching my mom dedicate her life to giving students the same opportunity that she would like to see for her own children is something about which I could not be more proud, and I truly believe the world is a better place because of that.
I am the Stewardship Director at Roosevelt University. Roosevelt has enjoyed a wonderful partnership with EALgreen since 2012. EALgreen's circular economy model is a truly unique philanthropic approach that provides benefits along every point of the circle. The sustainability component is incredibly appealing - Roosevelt was one of the first colleges to have a sustainability major. The amount of scholarship dollars that have been created has been immensely helpful to our students. We are proud to be a partner with EALgreen and look forward to many years working together to develop scholarships for our students.
As a proud Monmouth Scot, I am delighted to learn when my school is participating in a sustainable project. The partnership with EALgreen is definitely distinctive and may even be unique. The project that allows a college like Monmouth to buy the equipment and supplies needed for the physical plant and other department operations and generate scholarships for students with financial need is truly innovative. Small colleges offer so much to students--small class sizes, mentoring from full professors, residence life--and they need all the help they can get to balance the cost of the education with available financial aid to create access for a diverse group of students. Knowing that Monmouth can participate in the EALgreen network to obtain name brand products for serving students, faculty and staff while saving money that is re-purposed for scholarships is illuminating in a very positve way. That all of these pieces come together to help the planet is a great bonus.
For an organization that has been around for 35 years, helped 15,000 students, created over
18 million dollars in financial aid to 80 colleges and universities, that is an outstanding job !
In the scripture Mathew 25 it says " When you do this to the least of these, you do it to ME !!
The EALgreen organization is truly blessed because a mind is a terrible thing to waste!!
I have learned that EALgreen supports my Alma Mater, Elmhurst College, with scholarship support. Elmhurst has always enrolled a significant number of first generation students and ELAgreen's efforts will help those students be able to benefit from an Elmhurst College education. It's great that EALgreen has found a way to recycle excess inventory and turn it into college scholarships.
I truly believe that EAL’s philanthropic spirit along with the strong value place on higher education allowed for my mom’s life, (Claudia Freed), as well as mine and my twin sisters, to develop and blossom in a way that is extremely fortunate and special. Since day one, I have benefitted from EAL’s success, and I can fully attest to that, not only can a scholarship change a students life, but it can have astounding effects on a whole family and beyond for years to come. The aspirations of this organization are rooted in a Win-Win-Win business model, and everyone involved, whether they are a donor, recipient, or on the EAL Green team is changing the world in a beautiful and long-lasting way.
EALgreen was kind and to donate items to the American Red Cross to support the survivors of the recent hurricanes. As another nonprofit, their donation was beyond generous. And Claudia and her board were wonderful to work with - true professionals!
EALgreen is a non-profit that works with businesses to turn excess and obsolete inventory into scholarships for students with financial need. I’ve had the pleasure of supporting this organization both as a donor and as an adviser and am consistently impressed with their high level of professionalism and deep commitment to solving some of the biggest issues that we face today. Over the last 35 years, this remarkable non-profit has pioneered a circular economy model and, in the process has helped over 18,000 College students with financial need. The team is passionate about the work they do and always goes the extra mile for their partners, students and community.
As a nonprofit consultant in fundraising, I can count on one hand the number of self-sustaining business models that I’ve been privileged to advise.
The bonus is that EAL creates a triple bottom line benefitting people, advancing purpose-driven (conscious) profit and preserving the planet.
Building bridges between companies with excess inventory to students with financial need while providing new alternatives for managing manufactured goods is a tremendous privilege.
I am a Cambridge trained engineer and economist who also qualified in London as a Chartered Accountant. I have been a corporate CFO and know something about how most for profit businesses make profit while ignoring society and the environment. Mid career I started doing work in international development and humanitarian assistance and learned first hand the importance of issues beyond profit, and learned the immense value of doing things that make the world a better place. Which brings me to EALgreen that is engaged in creating value from everything that it touches ... diverting physical goods from land fill to valuable reuse and then helping educational establishments get things they need AND then helping to fund students get the education that is essential for their future ... huge values that in conventional accounting get ignored ... but in reality are really bigger and better than profit. EALgreen has been working the circular economy a very long time before it became fashionable.
GO EALgreen!
Peter Burgess TrueValueMetrics.org
