MFA Foundation ⁽¹¹⁾

In 2025, 293 high school seniors each received $2,500 scholarships—a total of $732,500 from MFA Foundation. 

Today’s agriculture demands innovation, dedication and a new generation ready to rise to the challenge. The MFA Foundation is proud to help young people take that next step through its long-standing scholarship program.

The Missouri State Fair Foundation recently received a gift from the MFA Foundation in support of the new Governor Michael L. Parson Arena, a state-of-the-art indoor facility now under construction on the Missouri State Fairgrounds.

Investing in youth education is truly an investment in agriculture

Established in 1958, the Foundation is a nonprofit, philanthropic organization with the primary purpose of advancing educational opportunities for high school seniors in MFA’s trade territory. Since 1965, the Foundation’s principal mission has been awarding MFA Foundation scholarships, giving financial assistance to more than 15,500 students, totaling more than $17 million.

The MFA Foundation was established in 1958 with the primary purpose of providing greater educational opportunity for the youth in our trade territory. The Foundation's major activity is its Scholarship Program, which has provided financial assistance to nearly 16,000 college and university students from rural communities since its initiation in 1965. Every spring, approximately 300 scholarships are available for graduating high school seniors. The scholarships are sponsored by the MFA Foundation and local MFA agencies. While the college scholarship program constitutes the main thrust of the MFA Foundation, the Foundation also pursues other worthwhile projects. The MFA Foundation makes gifts directly and generally, in an unrestricted manner, to private colleges. The Foundation also contributes to programs that are consistent with it's original purpose of providing educational opportunity for youth. Included in these programs are: The Missouri 4-H Foundation, Missouri FFA Association and Missouri Young Farmers Association. In addition, the MFA Foundation administers special scholarship programs and has also made substantial contributions to the University of Missouri College of Agricultue, Food and Natural Resources. The MFA Foundation is incorporated under the laws of the State of Missouri. Officers and directors are officers and employees of MFA agencies and serve without compensation from the Foundation. The MFA Foundation is a collaboration among MFA Incorporated, its local affiliates, joint venture partners and MFA Oil Company.

Program Guidelines Education and technical training are important tools for today’s young people to flourish in the future. MFA Foundation scholarships are intended to help students pursue studies and develop careers that enhance rural America’s future. These scholarships are offered to high school seniors who are children or grandchildren (including step-children or step-grandchildren) of member-level cusoers of MFA Agri Services Centers, MFA Oil Company Bulk Plants, or other MFA agencies. Applicants must be a resident of Missouri, Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Oklahoma or Tennessee. Eligible high school seniors can apply for the scholar­ship here online. Additional information is available at participating MFA facilities. Applications will be available beginning Dec. 1, 2025, and must be completed and submitted online by Feb. 15, 2026. The scholarship winner is selected by a local committee, which considers the applicant’s: •Interest in furthering his/her education in agriculture or other fields that benefit rural life. •Participation and leadership in school, church and community activities. •Reputation for good citizenship and moral character. •Financial need, income and willingness to work. •Satisfactory academic progress. Looking ahead, the 2026 program will offer even more flexibility. Students can apply scholarship funds toward certificate, associate or bachelor’s degrees, opening the door to a wider range of career paths in agriculture and beyond. The scholarship will be paid directly to the school and applied toward tuition, fees, books, supplies and equipment. Recipients must be enrolled in school full time by Sept. 1 or the funds will be allocated to the runner-up.­ Apply HERE. The MFA Foundation is a collaboration among MFA Incorporated, its local affiliates, joint venture partners and MFA Oil Company.