The Lacek Group: Scholarship Program Submission Form

The Lacek Group LLC, a globally recognized leader in loyalty, customer engagement and data-driven communications in Minneapolis, is thrilled to offer our 5th annual scholarship program for the 2026/2027 school year. To encourage students from underrepresented communities to consider a career in marketing, we award two $5,000 scholarships, one each for a high school senior and a college student. The area of study needs to be in or related to computer programming, creative arts, data/statistics, marketing, business, communications, finance, or program/project management. Applicants must be residents of Minnesota but may attend college in Minnesota or Wisconsin.

“This scholarship program grew out of our agency's commitment to investing in the future of our industry,” says Randy Gunderson, CEO. “It’s one more way we’re fostering an empowered, innovative and collaborative culture that will make our business better.”

In particular, the program reflects our focus on community involvement, financial support and hiring practices. “We hope that some of the scholarship recipients will eventually be hired by The Lacek Group,” says Randy.

For more details and scholarship requirements, see below.

Do you qualify?

Are you a Minnesota resident?
Are you a high school senior or college student going to college in Minnesota or Wisconsin?
Are you from an underrepresented community with examples of overcoming obstacles?
Are you enrolled or planning to enroll as a full-time student, with 12 credits or more at a college, a university, or an accredited arts school (MCAD, Dunwoody or similar)?
Are you planning to major in computer programming, creative arts, data/statistics, marketing, business, communications, finance, or program/project management? If not, please state your major.
Are you in good academic standing? Please list your most current GPA below.

If you answered yes to all of those questions, you might qualify for The Lacek Group scholarship program. Our agency will award one $5,000 scholarship to one qualifying high school senior and one $5,000 scholarship to one qualifying college student who are residents of MN. The scholarship is a one-time award and will be disbursed in two payments of equal amounts in September 2026 and January 2027 (assuming the student carries a minimum of 12 credits per semester). The scholarship may be used for tuition and fees required for enrollment or attendance; fees, books, supplies and equipment required for courses of instruction; and/or room and board.

The deadline for submitting an application is April 17th, 2026; you must submit by that time in order to be considered. Please make sure all contact information is accurate; Lacek will contact the finalists for a phone or online interview. The recipients will be selected and informed by June 26th, 2026 and winners of the scholarships may be featured on The Lacek Group's website.

Ogilvy and The Lacek Group employees and relatives are excluded from the scholarship.

Apply below

* indicates a required field

Personal Information

First Name*

Middle Initial

Last Name*

Address (include apartment number, if applicable)*

City*

State*

Zip*

Phone Number*

Email*

High School Information

High School Name

Address

City

State*

Zip

Graduation Date

High School GPA

College Information

College Name

Address

City

State

Zip

College Major

College GPA (if no college GPA, enter most recent High School GPA)

Anticipated Graduation Date

College Email (if you have one)

Tell Us About Yourself

Describe yourself in six words.*

High school applicants: What do you want to study/pursue in college and why?*
College applicants: When you graduate, what career will you pursue and why?*

In 100 words or less, tell us what this scholarship would mean to you.*

Explain one or more ways you feel you've contributed to your community.*

Describe areas in your life where you overcame obstacles (e.g., school, social, family life).*

Explain how someone in your life, through words or action, influenced your development and what the result was.*

Please list any additional information or personal background you believe would be helpful in the selection committee's decision.*

How did you hear about us?*

Social Media

Current High School/College

Scholarship Site

Other

Indicate whether you are currently a High School or College student*

High School (includes graduating seniors)

College

Upload a minimum of one letter of recommendation. They can be from a teacher, coach, boss, counselor, etc.*

Upload Requirements: You may upload up to 5 documents in total (PDF, .doc, or .docx formats, with a combined size of no more than 5MB). If you plan to upload more than one file, please select all of them at the same time when using the upload button. The form only allows one file selection action.

By signing (typing your legal name) in the space below, you are certifying that all information is correct and that you are the person completing this application. When you press the “submit” button, you will receive an email confirmation that your application was received. Please print a copy for your records and retain as verification of your application.

Signature*