Strong leadership skills are essential to building stronger communities.
It’s a belief that was shaped by Walter Scott’s own experiences, from his time as a Boy Scout, through his career as an engineer and into his philanthropic work.
Today, the Foundation continues that tradition by creating pathways to leadership through our investments in youth development, innovation, nonprofit capacity and the Next Generation program.
Signature investments in future leaders.
Scott Scholars
Empowering students to lead with purpose.
Through the Scott Scholars program at universities across the country, the Suzanne & Walter Scott Foundation invests in the next generation of leaders. This merit-based program combines academic excellence with leadership development, mentorship and community engagement — preparing students to create lasting impact in their fields and communities.
The Next Generation program.
Fostering a legacy of family philanthropy.
Established in 2021, the Next Generation program was created to cultivate a deep understanding of philanthropy and develop leadership skills among the third and fourth generations of the Scott and Singer families. The program provides opportunity to support nonprofit organizations while learning about strategic investments and grantmaking. By immersing younger generations in the values and processes that shaped Walter and Suzanne’s giving, the program ensures the family’s philanthropic spirit continues to evolve, adapt and thrive.
The Next Generation Summit.
The program also hosts an annual gathering known as the Next Generation Summit, designed to prepare future family foundation board members through education and hands-on experiences.
The most important thing we, as a society, can do is invest in the next generation.
How we create impact.
Youth development.
Young people thrive when they have access to spaces that encourage growth, leadership and service. The Foundation supports capital projects that provide these experiences and create lasting environments where they can gain the tools and support they need to contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Nonprofit capacity.
Leadership is not only about individuals — it’s about strong organizations as well. The Foundation invests in building nonprofit capacity by helping organizations strengthen their leadership, governance and long-term sustainability, allowing them to serve their communities more effectively.
Innovation.
Innovation drives progress through new technologies and creative approaches in civic life. We support initiatives that encourage bold thinking, spark new solutions to our community’s most pressing problems and open doors for future generations.
Walter Scott and Scouting: a lifetime of values-driven leadership.
Walter Scott credited his character development and problem-solving skills to his time in Scouting, where he earned the rank of Eagle Scout at age 14. That achievement shaped him into a strong leader with a lifelong respect for nature and a passion for philanthropy.
Today, the Foundation proudly supports local and national Scouting programs and honors the commitment of those who achieve the rank of Eagle Scout through the NE Eagle Scout Scholarship.
Investing in leaders who move communities forward.
Leadership development is one of our core priorities — because lasting impact starts with people. Through our thoughtful investment approach, we partner with organizations that cultivate strong, ethical and community-minded leaders.
