The NACS Foundation Scholarship
About
Timeline
Eligibility
Apply Now
Nominate
About
For more than 30 years, the NACS Foundation has provided scholarships to industry employees to fuel the next generation of industry leaders from within our member companies.
The NACS Foundation Scholarship Program honors industry icon Jim Yates, founder of E-Z Mart Stores, former NACS Chairman of the Board, and a pioneer in the industry. In 1999, Altria Distribution Group’s donation expanded the program to honor David Erickson, former CEO of Erickson Oil Products.
Scholarship Award
Each year, 10-15 selected applicants are awarded $3,000 each toward the cost of tuition at undergraduate or community college education. In addition, scholarship recipients receive a stipend to attend the NACS Show—the only global event for all things convenience—where they will be recognized during a special evening ceremony and given the first-hand opportunity to learn more about exciting career paths in the industry.
Receiving Scholarship Funds
Two separate scholarship checks will be mailed to the recipient’s home address, made payable only to the scholarship recipient’s college or university. The first award payment will be issued in August for $1,500 and the second payment of $1,500 will be distributed in December.
Scholarships are awarded by the NACS Foundation, a 501(c)3, which serves as a point of centralization and catalyzation—amplifying the reach, resonance, and impact of our convenience, supplier, and fuel retail members’ tremendous charitable efforts.
Powered in part by the generosity of:
Keurig Dr Pepper is proud to continue our partnership with the NACS Foundation for a second year, helping provide financial assistance to the next generation of convenience industry leaders,” said Kevin Martello, Vice President of Foodservice & Industry Relations at Keurig Dr Pepper. “We also greatly value the opportunity to connect directly with scholarship recipients at NACS and offer in‑person mentorship to support the future of our industry.”
Timeline
Follow our 2026-2027 scholarship award timeline to track progress.
March 2026
NACS Foundation Future Fund scholarship period opens.
May 15, 2026
Submission period closes.
July 2026
Scholarship winner announced.
August 2026
First award payment in the amount of $1,500 mailed to program recipients.
October 6-9, 2026
The 2026 NACS Show takes place at the Las Vegas Convention Center from October 6-9. A special NACS Foundation Scholarship Recipient Awards Ceremony will be held one evening during the Show (details to follow).
December 2026
Second and final award payment in the amount of $1,500 mailed to scholarship recipients.
Eligibility
The NACS Foundation Scholarship is open to individuals who meet the following criteria for the 2026–2027 academic year:
- Current employees at any level or position of a NACS retail member company and children/legal dependents of employees are eligible to apply.
- Applicants must be enrolled—or planning to enroll—in an accredited university, trade school or certificate program for the 2026/2027 academic year.
- The employee (either the applicant or the parent/guardian, if the applicant is a dependent) must remain actively employed by a NACS retail member company during the entire scholarship period.
Responsibility of Scholarship Recipients
- Recipients must continue enrollment for the entire course without interruption, barring illness, emergency or military service.
- Recipients are responsible for ensuring the scholarship checks are delivered to the correct office at their college or university.
- Recipients must notify the NACS Foundation if they transfer college or university or if they are no longer employed by the convenience retail company.
Important Notes
- Scholarships are one-year awards. If scholarship recipients continue to meet the eligibility requirements, scholarship recipients may re-apply each year, for up to four years.
- The scholarships will be applied to tuition expenses at any accredited college or university in the United States and are only made payable to the institution.
- Recipients may transfer from one college or university to another and retain the award.
Apply Now
2026-2027 Scholarship is closed.
To be considered for a scholarship, a candidate must complete an official NACS Foundation Future Fund scholarship application, which consists of the following three (3) parts:
- Applicant Data and Questionnaire
- Applicant Essay (two pages, maximum)
- Nomination Form, to be completed by a supervisory employee / senior official within the convenience store company
How to Submit
Mail completed scholarship application packet to:
NACS Foundation
c/o Kevin O’Connell
1600 Duke Street, Suite 700
Alexandria, VA 22314
OR
Email the completed scholarship application packet to: [email protected]
Need help or have questions?
Reach out to the NACS Foundation team by email at [email protected].
Nominate
The NACS Foundation invites convenience and fuel professionals to nominate the next generation of industry innovators within NACS retail member companies to compete for a 2026-2027 NACS Foundation Future Fund scholarship.
Please email [email protected] with any questions about the nomination or submission process.
* Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) provides comprehensive beverage solutions for the convenience industry, combining cutting-edge equipment, strategic insights, and innovative digital communications to maximize retailer offerings. With a portfolio of over 125 owned, licensed, and partner brands, KDP satisfies virtually any consumer need, anytime. For more information, visit keurigdrpepper.com and follow us on LinkedIn.