The 2025 Cleveland Browns Foundation Marion Motley Scholarship is accepting applications.
The Cleveland Browns Foundation – dedicated to taking a solution-based, holistic approach to ensure youth in Ohio and beyond receive the development and education they need as a foundation for independence and success – strives to support Northeast Ohio students pursuing higher education through the Marion Motley Scholarship.
Through the Marion Motley Scholarship in partnership with College Now Greater Cleveland, the Cleveland Browns Foundation annually awards two recipients each with a $10,000 scholarship to further the education of promising young students, many of whom are first-generation college students.
The application for the 2025 Marion Motley Scholarship is now open and the deadline to apply is March 5.
"The Marion Motley Scholarship has been instrumental in empowering local high school students to pursue their dreams of higher education since its inception in 2006," Chief Scholarship Services Officer for College Now Bob Durham said. "With (38) recipients to date, this scholarship not only helps these students achieve their academic goals but also cultivates future leaders who will make meaningful contributions to their communities. The Marion Motley Scholarship exemplifies College Now Greater Cleveland's commitment to creating pathways to success for all students, regardless of their backgrounds, and we are proud to continue our partnership with the Cleveland Browns Foundation in this important endeavor."
The Marion Motley Scholarship was first established during the 2005-06 school year and has provided more than $380,000 to 38 students from the Cleveland area since its inception.
The scholarship is a four-year, renewable scholarship in the amount of $2,500 per year, and honors former Browns fullback and linebacker Marion Motley – who overcame many obstacles to break ground as one of the first African American players in the NFL and played with the Browns from 1946-53. The Canton, Ohio native became the second African American inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1968. He was also a charter member of the Cleveland Browns Legends program in 2001 and was enshrined in the Cleveland Browns Ring of Honor's inaugural class of 2010.
For each cycle of the scholarship, Northeast Ohio high school seniors that plan to major in professional sports-related areas such as accounting, business, communications, event management, exercise science, finance, graphic design, human resources, information technology, journalism, kinesiology, marketing/advertising, public relations or sports management are invited to apply. A panel that is comprised of College Now of Greater Cleveland and Cleveland Browns staff, Foundation Board members and Browns Alumni decides the recipients.
"By honoring Marion Motley's legacy, this scholarship stands as an integral part of our mission to offer educational support and spotlight the unwavering commitment and perseverance of its recipients," Vice President of the Cleveland Browns Foundation Renee Harvey said. "We take great pride in our collaboration with College Now Greater Cleveland, knowing that each recipient's journey, from enrollment to post-college triumphs, fuels our dedication to their success."
