During its recent Board of Governors Meeting, the American Bus Association’s Foundation (ABAF) announced it will double the amount of 18 scholarships offered by the ABAF. The ABAF also announced that all proceeds raised from ABA’s Annual Meeting & Marketplace Live and Silent Auctions will be allocated to the ABAF’s Fund a Future program to fund this scholarship initiative.

“College costs continue to rise and the Board of Governors wanted to ensure that the scholarships awarded by the Foundation had an impact on students’ expenses. They voted to double the scholarship awards from $2,500 to $5,000,” said ABA Foundation President Peter Pantuso. “To help fund this initiative, the Board also voted that all proceeds from the annual Live and Silent Auction will be allocated to our Fund a Future Program to ensure we can continue making an impact on the future leaders of our industry and their education.”

Over the past 20 years, the ABAF has awarded more than $790,000 in financial support to more than 300 scholars since the program began after the death of then ABA President/CEO George T. Snyder Jr. in 1995. The major fundraisers for this program are the annual Live and Silent Auction and Hard Rock’s Afterglow that takes place during ABA’s Annual Meeting and Marketplace.

“Participating in the ABAF Auctions, whether as a contributor or bidder, truly helps the ABAF change people’s lives by giving future leaders of the industry an opportunity to go to school and obtain the skills needed for a successful career in the motorcoach, travel and tourism industry,” said Pantuso. “These companies not only gain exposure within the ABA community at our biggest event of the year, but they are also investing in our industry’s future.”