From Passion to Impact: A Builder’s
Journey in Creating the Cougar Pride
Scholarship
Stelos Profile:
The Stelos Alliance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit supporting exceptional students across the country. With a
100% donor efficiency guarantee, every dollar given goes directly into the hands of extraordinary young
leaders.
Challenge:
When Susan and Jeremy Dembickie set out to establish the Cougar Pride Scholarship, they encountered
several obstacles commonly faced by first-time scholarship creators. Initially, they believed a large
endowment would be required to fund the award. They were also concerned about the time commitment
necessary to create and manage the scholarship, given their busy professional schedules.
Additionally, they sought guidance to navigate the administrative responsibilities they assumed would fall
entirely on them. Because the scholarship was intended both as a reflection of their family and a way to
directly impact their community, they desired a system that would allow family and friends to contribute
easily, receive proper recognition, and benefit from tax-deductible receipts. They also wished to include
stock donations as a funding option, adding an additional layer of complexity to the process.
Confronted with these concerns, the Dembickies sought to determine whether there was a simple and
manageable solution to the many challenges they faced-here they found Stelos Alliance Scholarship
Builder.
Solution:Â
The Stelos Alliance Scholarship Builder gave the Dembickies the opportunity to turn their passion for
supporting students into something lasting and meaningful. With guidance from Stelos every step of the
way, Susan and Jeremy found the process seamless and rewarding—transforming their vision for the
Cougar Pride Scholarship into reality. Because Stelos handled the administrative details, from tax receipts
to donor efficiency, the Dembickies could focus entirely on the joy of giving back. Knowing that 100% of
their contributions went directly into the hands of students made the experience even more impactful,
allowing Susan and Jeremy to see their values and pride reflected in the next generation of Cougars.
The process of building their scholarship unfolded in three clear phases:
Blueprints – At the very beginning, the Stelos team worked closely with the Dembickies to structure the
Cougar Pride Scholarship. Together, they outlined the steps, responsibilities, and annual funding
commitment, giving Susan and Jeremy confidence that the process was simple and manageable without
requiring a large upfront endowment.
Construction – Once the plan was set, Stelos built all of the essential components: a dedicated
scholarship page on Stelos.org, a donation link, a scholarship application, sample social media posts, and
regular fundraising reports. With flexible funding options—including online donations, mailed checks, stock
gifts, and employer matching programs—family and friends could contribute easily. The Dembickies
especially valued knowing that every contribution was tax deductible, every donor received a receipt, and
every dollar went directly to students.
Inspection + Grand Opening – Finally, Susan and Jeremy reviewed the completed framework with Stelos
to ensure every detail reflected their vision. Within just a few weeks, the Cougar Pride Scholarship was
officially launched with a ribbon-cutting announcement. For the Dembickies, this milestone was not only
the successful completion of a process but the beginning of a legacy—one that embodied their pride and
values while supporting future generations of Cougars.
Their experience highlights the benefits that made the process both seamless and meaningful:
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Guided Support – Step-by-step guidance made the process easy to navigate.
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No Endowment Required – The scholarship was launched without a large upfront fund.
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Flexible Funding Options – Friends and family could contribute through multiple giving methods.
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Tax Benefits – Every contribution was fully tax deductible, with receipts for all donors.
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100% Donor Efficiency – Every dollar went directly into the hands of students.
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Quick and Simple Process – The Cougar Pride Scholarship was launched within weeks.
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Customizable and Impactful – The scholarship reflected the Dembickies’ passions, values, and goals,
ensuring a lasting legacy.
The Results:
The Cougar Pride Scholarship was successfully launched within weeks, transforming the Dembickies’ vision
into a tangible reality without the burden of an endowment or administrative complexity.
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Immediate Impact: The scholarship quickly attracted contributions from family, friends, and colleagues
who were eager to honor the Dembickie family’s commitment to education. A stock to give program
was implemented. -
Streamlined Management: With Stelos Alliance managing the administrative details including donation
processing, fundraising reports, and tax compliance—the Dembickies were free to focus on what mattered most: celebrating their family legacy and supporting students.
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Student-Centered Outcomes: Most importantly, every dollar contributed went directly to the recipient
at Christoval High School. By removing overhead and inefficiencies, the scholarship maximized its
reach and ensured donors saw the full impact of their gifts.
The Dembickies’ experience demonstrates that building a scholarship doesn’t have to be overwhelming or
financially out of reach. With the support of Stelos Alliance, their family was able to create a meaningful,
sustainable award that reflects their values, engages their community, and directly changes the lives of
students.
Testimonial
“Creating the Cougar Pride Scholarship with Stelos Alliance has been an inspiring journey for us. From
start to finish, their guidance made the process simple, allowing us to focus on our passion for supporting
students. Knowing that every dollar goes directly into the hands of future Cougars fills us with pride, and
seeing our values reflected in their success is incredibly rewarding. This scholarship isn’t just a gift—it’s a
way to leave a lasting legacy, empowering students to chase their dreams and make a difference in the
world.”
Susan & Jeremy Dembickie
Want to start building?Â
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For more information about this Case
Study, Contact Melinda Keller.
Vice President, Stelos Alliance
Melinda.Keller@stelos.org
