RSM Announces Shot at College Program in Coordination with Zach Johnson Foundation and Kids on Course

CHICAGO – (July 7, 2019) – RSM US LLP (“RSM”) – the nation’s leading provider of audit, tax and consulting services focused on the middle market – is pleased to announce the RSM Shot at College program in coordination with the Zach Johnson Foundation and Kids on Course. The program will provide critical financial support and ongoing mentorship to help three students each year pursue their passions of going to college.

The RSM Shot at College program aligns closely with the mission of Kids on Course, a nonprofit program founded by the Zach Johnson Foundation in cooperation with the Cedar Rapids Community School District. Kids on Course provides tutoring, enrichment, parent engagement strategies and health support to put students on course to graduate college.

The inaugural Kids on Course class recently finished their freshman year of high school, and as the next major step in their educational journey quickly approaches, the RSM Shot at College program will help three students each year as they move to that next level. Annually, starting in 2021 when the first class are rising seniors, Kids on Course students who meet certain criteria tied to their academic growth, as well as have a strong record of stewardship within their school and their communities, will have the opportunity to apply for the RSM Shot at College scholarship by writing an essay about pursuing their academic passions and how the scholarship will support their journey.

Three winners will be selected each year and will receive a four-year college scholarship valued at $40,000 ($10,000 per year); be paired with a mentor from RSM to support them on their collegiate journey; and, for those students with aligned degree pursuits and strong academic performance, will have an opportunity to participate in the RSM Pathways Summer Leadership and internship programs. The winners will also be invited to the Zach Johnson Foundation Classic Pro-Am where they will have an opportunity to earn additional prizes to support their college journey.

“Stewardship has been one of RSM’s core values since our firm was founded in Cedar Rapids more than 90 years ago,” said Doug Opheim, RSM US chief financial officer and chair of the RSM US Foundation. “Our people are passionate about giving back to our local communities through programs that help build the middle market leaders of tomorrow, and we’re excited to continue these efforts by investing in today’s youth through RSM Shot at College. We’re honored to expand our support of the Zach Johnson Foundation and Kids on Course through this new program, which we’re confident will further help their mission to prepare students for a successful future and will have a positive and lasting impact on the community.”

“RSM has always been an incredible partner of not only Zach’s, but of the Zach Johnson Foundation as well,” said Tracey Myers, executive director of the Zach Johnson Foundation. “The formation of The RSM Shot at College scholarship program will allow us to remove the financial barrier to post-secondary education and will enable Kids on Course students to focus on their education and achieve even their biggest dreams. We are grateful for RSM’s support and are looking forward to seeing the impact of this program. We know it will be incredible.”

As the first Kids on Course class won’t be available for the scholarship until 2021, RSM and the Zach Johnson Foundation got a head start by recognizing three students who demonstrated a commitment to academic growth and stewardship. Students wrote about a passion they’d like to pursue, and the winners received a $2,500 donation to help them make their passions a reality. In addition, they will participate in a clinic during the Zach Johnson Foundation Classic for a chance to win additional funds to put toward a team-building experience for their class.

The RSM Shot at College program and the 2019 winners were officially announced during the fundraiser gala at the start of the 9th annual Zach Johnson Foundation Classic at the Cedar Rapids DoubleTree by Hilton on Sunday, July 7.