Established in 1994 by Minister Sherman J. Butler, Sr., with the assistance of Mother Jimmie Will Butler and Nazarene All Nations Church, to encourage four potential High School graduates. Mother Jimmie Will Butler followed in the ideals of her predecessors (Mother and Overseer Mattie L. Thornton-Branch (pictured below), Mother Effie Bell and Overseer Cordelia Lawhorn - an educator) in furthering the education of the youth.
During the 1994 MLBSF inception, Mother Jimmie Butler and Minister Sherman Butler Sr. Mother Butler & Minister Sherman recognized students in the Nazarene All Nations Church were graduating from High School and planning to further their education. Their families were financially limited. The church membership was basically elderly and low-income families. Mother Butler organized a "Graduation Celebration Day" for the graduates and served refreshments. She encouraged each member to bring "a little something" for each graduate, as she said, "just to encourage them." Mother gave each a lovely artificial flower and a card.
This practice went on for years and eventually one year a recipient received $250.00. Everyone was elated. Minister Sherman became Pastor and decided to take the work to another level. He indicated many more students were graduating and attending higher education schools, we needed to do more. He encouraged others to help with this great work. He organized the Mattie L. Branch Foundation (named after the Founder of the Nazarene Church) to help students in financial need while attending College. Rev. Dr. Sherman J. Butler, Sr. further indicated that he did not want any student to drop out of school due to financial need. The Mattie L. Branch Scholarship Foundation was officially chartered in the State of Illinois in 2008. The Foundation still maintains integrity and loyalty to its recipients. It is considered the most prestigious needs assessment scholarship in the West Englewood Area of Chicago. All are welcome to apply.
What We Do
The purpose of the Mattie L. Branch Scholarship Foundation is to organize fundraisers for the sole purpose of collecting funds, gifts, and contribution to Illinois Students:
- At or under the age of 21 years.
- Enrolled and/or attending an Accredited City College, Private or Public College/University
- Securing an A.A., B.A. or B.S.
- Meet all application criteria and have a 3.0 G.P.A. or better (visit the MLBSF "Apply" page).
For more details of our PROGRAMS (visit the MLBSF "Programs" page).
