A Legacy of Honor

The MCSF is pleased to present the following demonstrations of impact. For 60 years the MCSF has awarded nearly 50,000 scholarships to ensure no eligible student of a Marine family is left behind.

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Jake's Story
Our Mission
Facts at a Glance
Student Eligibility
Abby's Story
MCSF Leadership

Watch Jake’s film
to see how the MCSF changes lives.

The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation was established to honor the service and sacrifice of Marines and their families. Founded in 1962, we are the nation’s oldest and largest provider of need-based scholarships to military children. Over the past 60 years, we have provided nearly 50,000 scholarships valued at $155 million. The MCSF is validated by top marks from leading charity watchdogs. Including an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, and 4 out of 4 stars for Accountability and Transparency from Charity Navigator.

There is no organization closer to the intersection of real need and lasting impact than the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation.

in scholarships awarded in nearly 60 years

in scholarship support awarded to Marine families this year

scholarships helped change the lives of Marine families this year

of our scholarship recipients are 1st gen college students compared to 33% nationally

average GPA for our scholars, compared to 3.15 nationally

of our scholarship recipients graduate compared to 54% nationally

of our scholarship recipients graduate with little to no debt compared to 30% nationally

years of combined military service have been honored by MCSF this year

MCSF

No Eligible Student of a Marine Family Left Behind.

Student Eligibility Criteria

Honorable discharge from a Marine or Navy Corpsman parent
Demonstrated financial need
GPA of at least 2.0

Student Scholarship Awards

$6,000 to $40,000 total over four years
$1,500 to $10,000 per year
Our average scholarship is $3,500 per year

Watch Abby’s film
to see how the MCSF changes lives.

Leadership

Ted Probert

President and CEO

Ted Probert joined the Scholarship Foundation in 2018. Serving in the Marine Corps Reserves for 21 years, he retired as a LtCol in 2014. Ted brings over 30 years of nonprofit experience to MCSF, highlighted by his time at Phillips Exeter Academy for The Exeter Initiatives, which raised $352 million, and as the Director of Institutional Advancement. Currently the President and CEO of the Scholarship Foundation, Ted works with the Board of Directors on strategic direction, attends events across the Nation and manages all business affairs. A large part of his work is heightening the visibility and impact of the Scholarship Foundation in order to support more Navy and Marine Corps families. Ted and his wife, Andi, reside in Alexandria, VA and have two children, Campbell and Tanner.

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Ted Probert

President and CEO

Ted Probert joined the Scholarship Foundation in 2018. Serving in the Marine Corps Reserves for 21 years, he retired as a LtCol in 2014. Ted brings over 30 years of nonprofit experience to MCSF, highlighted by his time at Phillips Exeter Academy for The Exeter Initiatives, which raised $352 million, and as the Director of Institutional Advancement. Currently the President and CEO of the Scholarship Foundation, Ted works with the Board of Directors on strategic direction, attends events across the Nation and manages all business affairs. A large part of his work is heightening the visibility and impact of the Scholarship Foundation in order to support more Navy and Marine Corps families. Ted and his wife, Andi, reside in Alexandria, VA and have two children, Campbell and Tanner.

Colonel Harold "Odie" Van Opdorp USMC (Ret.)

Chief Impact Officer

Harold “Odie” Van Opdorp joined the Scholarship Foundation in August 2021. He served in the Marine Corps as an Infantry Officer for 30 years, retiring as a Colonel in 2019. Following retirement, he served as the Chief of Staff for the 76th Secretary of the Navy and the Undersecretary of Defense (Comptroller) for two years. As the Chief Impact Officer, Odie is responsible for mission alignment, cross-department integration, enterprise strategy execution, organizational culture, and impact measurement across the Foundation. Additionally, he coordinates Scholarship Foundation stakeholder engagement and partnership development. Lastly, Odie provides coaching, training, and leadership to the Directors of Philanthropy to strengthen and scale fundraising skills and to increase effectiveness in the delivery of revenue and additional outside support to the Scholarship Foundation.

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Colonel Harold "Odie" Van Opdorp USMC (Ret.)

Chief Impact Officer

Harold “Odie” Van Opdorp joined the Scholarship Foundation in August 2021. He served in the Marine Corps as an Infantry Officer for 30 years, retiring as a Colonel in 2019. Following retirement, he served as the Chief of Staff for the 76th Secretary of the Navy and the Undersecretary of Defense (Comptroller) for two years. As the Chief Impact Officer, Odie is responsible for mission alignment, cross-department integration, enterprise strategy execution, organizational culture, and impact measurement across the Foundation. Additionally, he coordinates Scholarship Foundation stakeholder engagement and partnership development. Lastly, Odie provides coaching, training, and leadership to the Directors of Philanthropy to strengthen and scale fundraising skills and to increase effectiveness in the delivery of revenue and additional outside support to the Scholarship Foundation.

Jeanna Adams

Chief Scholarship Officer

Jeanna Adams joined the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation in 2010. As the Chief Scholarship Officer, Jeanna is responsible for the development and implementation of the Foundation’s scholarship programs and mission objectives and serves as the liaison for scholarship program strategy, planning, and execution across the Foundation. During her time at the Scholarship Foundation, Jeanna has overseen the awarding of over 40,000 scholarship awards valued at $165 million. Jeanna is an active member of the National Scholarship Providers Association and currently serves on its Board of Directors as Board Secretary. A graduate of the University of California, San Diego, Jeanna is passionate about supporting Marine and Navy families and honoring their service and sacrifices by providing educational opportunities to their children. Jeanna and her husband, Veteran Corporal Dustin Adams USMC, reside in Reno, Nevada with their cat Walter.

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Jeanna Adams

Chief Scholarship Officer

Jeanna Adams joined the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation in 2010. As the Chief Scholarship Officer, Jeanna is responsible for the development and implementation of the Foundation’s scholarship programs and mission objectives and serves as the liaison for scholarship program strategy, planning, and execution across the Foundation. During her time at the Scholarship Foundation, Jeanna has overseen the awarding of over 40,000 scholarship awards valued at $165 million. Jeanna is an active member of the National Scholarship Providers Association and currently serves on its Board of Directors as Board Secretary. A graduate of the University of California, San Diego, Jeanna is passionate about supporting Marine and Navy families and honoring their service and sacrifices by providing educational opportunities to their children. Jeanna and her husband, Veteran Corporal Dustin Adams USMC, reside in Reno, Nevada with their cat Walter.

Courtney Balson

Chief Advancement Officer

Courtney Balson joined the Scholarship Foundation in 2011 as the Executive Assistant to the President and CEO. She quickly became integral in enhancing the Foundation's stewardship initiatives and played a pivotal role in establishing its dedicated Stewardship Department. As Chief Advancement Officer, Courtney oversees the Scholarship Foundation’s fundraising efforts, ensuring the success of our various revenue-driving programs including Development, Communications, National Events, Grants, and the Fidelis Fund. Her primary focus is on enhancing engagement with current investors and cultivating new partners dedicated to our mission. Courtney earned her undergraduate degree in Communication Studies from Fairleigh Dickinson University and holds a Master’s degree in Education and Learning from Point Loma Nazarene University.

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Courtney Balson

Chief Advancement Officer

Courtney Balson joined the Scholarship Foundation in 2011 as the Executive Assistant to the President and CEO. She quickly became integral in enhancing the Foundation's stewardship initiatives and played a pivotal role in establishing its dedicated Stewardship Department. As Chief Advancement Officer, Courtney oversees the Scholarship Foundation’s fundraising efforts, ensuring the success of our various revenue-driving programs including Development, Communications, National Events, Grants, and the Fidelis Fund. Her primary focus is on enhancing engagement with current investors and cultivating new partners dedicated to our mission. Courtney earned her undergraduate degree in Communication Studies from Fairleigh Dickinson University and holds a Master’s degree in Education and Learning from Point Loma Nazarene University.

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