This Minnesota town raises $108,000 to gift scholarships to graduating seniors — a tradition since 1987

Today, when education has become too pricey, a small town in Minnesota, Swanville, reportedly spends every year raising money for the kids. But why? Well, to help its graduating students with life-changing scholarships for their higher education, KARE 11 claims in a YouTube video published on June 24, 2025.

The Swanville school board organizes an annual picnic for all its high school graduates and their families, and this is where they reward students with scholarships from their community. So, as per KARE 11, all those kids who applied for the scholarship received one, ranging from $2,500 to $8,000, and so in total, in 2025, the town rewarded its senior class with a whopping amount of $108,000. "To me, it's just this community saying, 'Go be great.' Go do something cool and make a difference in the world," Zach Gapinski, a student, shared. The scholarship idea bloomed back in 1987, when Chris Dunshee, a former Swanville principal, and Royal Loven, a local gas station owner, were worried that students might leave their small town in search of better education. 

"We'll put a big billboard outside of town on the highway, saying 'Come to Swanville school, we give every student who graduates a scholarship,'" Chris laughed, recalling their wild plan. Though the billboard never happened, the scholarship idea struck with him, becoming a fruitful reality. The first year, they started the great initiative with just  $166, but since then, the community has been working really hard to raise more and more money for the students. Interestingly, the outlet suggests that the Minnesota town has been actively involved in various fundraising activities, like selling food items or hosting events. "It's not even the money; it was just who it was coming from. Swanville's just a really special place," said Brittany Johnson, a 2001 graduate who had received $500, just like her husband, Brian.

Notably, just like most in Swanville, Brittany and Brian, too, are now scholarship donors. "The goal is to support whatever's next for kids," the president of the Swanville Dollars for Scholars, Teresa Giese, said, explaining how students taking a break year, too, receive their money. "If you go into the military, when you're done with that, we'll give you your money then," she added. Based on various factors like grades, goals, ambitions, or school activities, the scholarship amount for each student is decided. "Wherever you go, know that Swanville is always home," Sheryl Johnson, their principal, said as she congratulated the students this year.

This incredible story of Swanville serves as a reminder of how a close-knit community can shape the future, especially at a time when, according to Ellucian, 59% of students have considered dropping out of education because of financial stress. Moreover, 57% of students confessed that they had to choose between college expenses and basic requirements like food and clothing. Meanwhile, echoing the sentiments of this oh-so-beautiful initiative, a user who goes by @bridgethamilton6057 on YouTube commented, "Oh my, this is so touching. I'm a Canadian, but I want to move there, or at least visit." Similarly, another user, @iwillflyaway-y7d, pointed out, "Well, it's never too late to sell the historic water tower to raise more scholarship funds!" On the other hand, a person, @tyrone950, wrote, "Yup. They invest in their own people and communities. This is why they keep winning."