Stephen J. Brady Stop Hunger Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Sodexo Foundation

Overview

Description: The Stephen J. Brady Stop Hunger Scholarships recognize students who take significant action to fight hunger across the United States. Applicants grant the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation and Sodexo, Inc. a non-confidential license to use, copy, modify, publish, and display submitted materials and to use the applicant’s name and identifying information. The program celebrates volunteer-driven anti-hunger efforts at school and in local communities. Scholars are connected with industry leaders to support continued impact and partnership development.

• Purpose: honor and support youth volunteerism to combat hunger.
• Submission rights: applicants grant usage rights to the Foundation and Sodexo.
• Focus: unpaid volunteer service benefiting non-family members.

Application Timeline

Application Timeline: Applications open on August 20, 2026 and close in October 2026 (exact closing date not specified). Selected winners will be notified in February 2027. A public list of winners will be posted on www.HelpStopHunger.org in May 2027. Event dates for Scholar recognition are in early May 2027.

• Opens: August 20, 2026.
• Selection notifications: February 2027.
• Winners posted: May 2027 on HelpStopHunger.org.

Eligibility & Requirements

Eligibility: Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited U.S. educational institution (kindergarten through graduate school) and meet the age requirement of 5–25 years old as of August 20, 2026. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents residing in the contiguous United States, Alaska, or Hawaii. Volunteer service must be unpaid, performed within the prior 12 months, and must have helped non-family members.

Administrative Requirements: If selected and under 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign an Affidavit of Eligibility and Assignment of Rights within seven days of notification. Scholars and their parents/guardians must respond promptly to Foundation requests—generally no later than five business days—or risk forfeiture of the scholarship.

• Enrollment and age: enrolled and 5–25 years old by August 20, 2026.
• Service: unpaid volunteer work within the last 12 months, helping non-family members.
• Residency: U.S. citizens or permanent residents in the 50 states only.
• Documentation: parent/guardian affidavit required for minors; timely responses required.

Award Recognition & Event Attendance

Award Recognition: National Stephen J. Brady Scholarship winners are recognized at the Sodexo Charity Classic Presented by PepsiCo. The 2027 event is scheduled for May 5–7, 2027 at The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Scottsdale, Arizona. Scholars are required to attend this all-expenses-paid trip; failure to attend will result in revocation of the scholarship.

Networking and Opportunities: At the event, Scholars meet leadership representatives from leading food, beverage, supplies, equipment, and facilities management organizations to expand networks and partnerships that further their anti-hunger work.

• Recognition occurs at the Foundation’s annual fundraising event.
• Attendance is mandatory and all-expenses-paid for winners.
• Event offers networking with industry leaders to amplify impact.

Scholarship Payment & Administration

Award Administration: Scholarship funds are paid only to an approved post-secondary educational institution in which the Scholar is enrolled or to a qualified 529 Plan if the Scholar is not yet enrolled. Funds must be used for tuition, related fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for courses at an accredited post-secondary institution. Payments will be issued as checks mailed directly to the educational institution or 529 Plan; checks will not be mailed to recipients, family members, or P.O. Boxes.

Deadlines and Forfeiture: To confirm an award and arrange travel, winners must submit required information and certify accuracy no later than February 12, 2027. Failure to provide complete information by this date, or to respond to Foundation requests within required timeframes, may result in forfeiture of the scholarship and cancellation of travel arrangements.

• Payments made only to institutions or qualified 529 Plans, not to individuals.
• Permitted uses: tuition, fees, books, supplies, and required equipment.
• Critical deadlines: required information and certifications due by February 12, 2027.