Jesse Melot Memorial Scholarship

What is the Jesse Melot Memorial Scholarship Fund?
The fund, started in 2019, provides an annual scholarship for advanced education top a volunteer or attendee of Ele's Place, a center for grieving children and their families. The fund honors Jesse Melot, who served as an Ele’s Place volunteer for many years prior to his untimely death at age 37 in 2018.

How does the fund operate?
A Scholarship Committee made up of Ele’s Place representatives, Melot family members and education leaders will vet applications from volunteers and clients, selecting one each year for the annual scholarship.

The initial goal is to issue a $10,000 scholarship each year.

Where does the money come from/go?
Fundraising continues to create an initial reserve of $100,000. Organizers expect to hold annual events to replenish and enlarge the fund, with the community’s help.

Application Information

Who handles the money/where can I donate?
The Jesse Melot Fund exists as an investment account of Ele's Place, managed by Plante Moran and Schwab. This fund will comply with all IRS regulations as a charitable scholarship fund. It will be overseen by Ele’s Place’s Finance Committee and by a Finance Advisory Committee of the Jesse Melot Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Donations can be made by check to Ele’s Place, 1145 W. Oakland Ave., Lansing, MI 48915. (Please be sure to designate your amount to the Jesse Melot Scholarship Fund in the comment field.) For additional donation questions, contact Ele’s Place Finance Department at 517.482.1315 or [email protected].

Is my donation tax-deductible?
Yes. The fund’s affiliation with Ele’s Place allows it to offer a charitable tax deduction to donors.