We Believe in the Power of Education to Transform Lives.

The Mary Alice Yakich Educational Foundation exists to provide opportunities for students who are in need of financial support to attend high quality schools. It also supports educational endeavors that enrich the academic and spiritual lives of students while recognizing the value of educators in that process.

Mary Alice Yakich

Mary Alice Yakich

Our Story

The Mary Alice Yakich Educational Foundation was born in 1999

1999

Walter J. Yakich started the Mary Alice Yakich Educational Foundation to honor his wife, Mary Alice. Mary Alice was a woman of integrity, great character, and she possessed a passion for public service. She was the first woman alderman in the State of Wisconsin in the sixties and also served for years on the City of Oak Creek Planning Commission. She had a lot of drive and determination, and stood up for the rights of others while serving on the Milwaukee County Human Rights Commission. She often said she was born 30 years too soon and, yet, the impact she had in politics and in her commitment to community service paved the way for other women to follow.

Awarded First Scholarship

2000

In 2000 the first scholarship was awarded. Today, the Yakich Foundation provides significant scholarship support to students attending primarily Catholic schools in Southeastern Wisconsin. We are proud to support these students as they seek to make a difference in their lives and in the lives of others.

Awarded First Grant for Support of the Arts

2006

The Foundation recognizes the value of the arts in education. Sponsorship of a new music room and an artist-in-residence program at St. Roman Parish School in Milwaukee, WI, has inspired students to truly appreciate and grow spiritually, academically and emotionally thru their involvement in the arts.

First Good Shepherd Award

2011

In 2011, we had the distinguished honor to award our First Good Shepherd Award. The goal is to recognize achievement in Catholic education, specifically Pius XI Catholic High School educators who inspire students and community members through lived personal and professional examples.

Educational Scholarships

Mary Alice Yakich understood the value of a good education, and knew the importance of giving back to her community. She was not only a political pioneer, she also understood what it meant to be a part of something bigger than herself. She had drive, determination, and compassion. She handled herself with a great deal of integrity and character.  

The Foundation provides our scholars with opportunities to attend high quality schools that may not have been within their financial reach. We are proud to support these students as they seek to make a difference in their lives and in the lives of others.

 

Good Shepherd Awards

In 2011, Walter Yakich established the Good Shepherd Award in collaboration with Pius XI Catholic High School in Milwaukee, WI. The goal is to recognize achievement in Catholic education, specifically Pius XI educators who inspire students and community members through lived personal and professional examples.

Good Shepherd Award Luncheon 2013

Yakich Scholars

“I would like to sincerely thank you again for helping me all four years of high school so that I can achieve my dream of becoming a Cardiologist.  Without your help, I would not be able to take advantage of all the opportunities my school has to offer and to achieve my goals.  Thank you and God bless you.”

Paolo

“I am honored and feel privileged to call myself a Yakich Scholar.  The generosity of the Mary Alice Yakich Educational Foundation is one of the major reasons that I have been able to receive the extraordinary experiences that I have had …  I can never thank you and the Foundation enough for what you have given to me.”

Jenny

“Your generosity has motivated me to do my best … My dream of being the engineer I have always wanted to be is getting closer and closer … I am grateful for everything you have done for me and my family. The best way that I can show you my gratitude is by the outcome of this journey. Thank you so much and God bless.”

Marco

“The Mary Alice Yakich Educational Foundation has pushed me to expand my world, explore my interests, and serve my community in a place I love … Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I hope to continue to make a positive change in my community just as your mother did.”

Bridget

Our Mission

The Mary Alice Yakich Educational Foundation believes in the “Power of Education” to transform lives.

The Yakich Foundation exists to provide opportunities for students who are in need of financial support to attend high quality schools. It also supports educational endeavors that enrich the academic and spiritual lives of students while recognizing the value of educators in that process.

The Mary Alice Yakich Educational Foundation was established in 1999 by Walter J. Yakich in honor of his late wife, Mary Alice Yakich. Its grants primarily focus on supporting Catholic values, students, and educators in Southeastern Wisconsin.

Our Board of Directors

Jan E. Drzewiecki, Jay Yakich, and Jim James W. Duquaine - Mary Alice Yakich Educational Foundation

Jay Yakich, Jan Drzewiecki, and James Duquaine - Mary Alice Yakich Educational Foundation