The PepsiCo Foundation is actively shaping the future workforce in the US through a series of scholarships and workforce-development initiatives. Over the past five years, the foundation has awarded nearly 6,000 scholarships.
Keeping up with the work, in 2024 alone, it has committed over $8.4 million by granting more than 1,800 scholarships to students nationwide. These programmes provide financial aid, career guidance and networking opportunities to students, aiming to unlock educational access and workforce development. Additionally, these are part of PepsiCo Foundation’s broader commitment to fostering economic mobility and helping students from underserved communities succeed.
Among the foundation’s signature programmes are the PepsiCo Foundation Family Scholars, S.M.I.L.E. (Supportive Mentorship for Inspiring Leaders and Entrepreneurs) Scholarship, and the Uplift Scholarship.
The Family Scholars programme is designed to alleviate the financial burden of post-secondary education for the children of PepsiCo employees. Meanwhile, the S.M.I.L.E. Scholarship supports community college graduates in pursuing their bachelor’s degrees, offering not only financial assistance but also access to mentorship and internship opportunities.
The Uplift Scholarship focuses on promoting educational equity by providing scholarships and career- readiness training to students from underserved communities, addressing traditional barriers to higher education. This programme also includes emergency funding to assist students facing unexpected challenges that could hinder their educational pursuits.
In 2024, the foundation allocated $1 million in new scholarships to 435 children of PepsiCo employees. Since the inception of the Family Scholars programme, over 6,000 scholarships and $70 million have been awarded globally.
In conjunction with its scholarship efforts, the PepsiCo Foundation launched the third season of its ‘Changemakers’ video series, titled ‘Pathways to Prosperity’. The series highlights individuals and organisations globally benefiting from the foundation’s social impact initiatives, showing how PepsiCo’s support has empowered them to overcome adversity and contribute positively to their communities.
Through its ongoing investments in education and workforce development, the PepsiCo Foundation aims to create a more inclusive and equitable society by breaking down barriers to opportunity for future generations.
