Chief John Raaflaub Memorial Firefighter Scholarship Fund Grant

The Chief John Raaflaub Memorial Firefighter Scholarship Fund, supported by the Boreal Waters Community Foundation, empowers students from Douglas County and the Twin Ports Area to pursue careers in firefighting. This initiative prioritizes high school graduates and nontraditional students enrolled in firefighting-related studies at Lake Superior College. Applicants must demonstrate financial need, maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and show community involvement, with additional preference for women and BIPOC candidates.

Boreal Waters Community Foundation
The Boreal Waters Community Foundation serves 12 counties across northeastern Minnesota, northwestern Wisconsin, and seven Tribal nations, uniting people and resources to build vibrant, resilient communities. Guided by its mission to foster belonging, opportunity, and sustainability, the Foundation invests in local priorities through grants, scholarships, and donor-directed funds. Its funding supports initiatives in areas such as youth leadership, environmental stewardship, food sovereignty, and cultural preservation—ensuring that community-led solutions thrive and create lasting impact across the region.
The Chief John Raaflaub Memorial Firefighter Scholarship Fund helps students from Douglas County and the Twin Ports Area pursue careers in firefighting, and especially at the Superior Fire Department. Applicants can be high school graduates, Lake Superior College Firefighter students, or those who have been out of high school for a longer period.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants must be graduates of high schools in Douglas County, the Twin Ports Area, or be nontraditional/GED students. They must be enrolled at Lake Superior College in a firefighting-related field of study, have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, demonstrate financial need, and show evidence of volunteering or community involvement.