The Verl I. Brooks Scholarship Foundation was
approved by the Internal Revenue Service as a
Private Foundation under Code Section 501 (c) (3)
in October 1994. This was done in accordance with
the Will of Verl I. Brooks, Rivoli Township, New Windsor,
Illinois.

 

720 scholarships have been awarded since 1995 with students receiving over $2,915,000 in financial assistance.

 

In 1997 the Verl I. Brooks Scholarship Foundation received approval under IRS Code Section 170 to make additional charitable contributions to not-for-profits in Rivoli Township. Over $79,000 has been distributed to the New Windsor Public Library and the Rivoli Rural Fire Protection District.

 

The Mercer County Court approved a petition on March 27, 2025 to modify the Verl Brooks trust. The last year to apply and receive funds from the Verl I. Brooks Scholarship Foundation will be for the 2026-2027 academic year with April 1, 2026 the application deadline. Future funding for eligible applicants will be through the Mellinger Foundation.