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MRAA Educational Foundation logo featuring stylized boat and wave graphics with bold blue text

Advancing Boating Through Education, Training and Career Development Opportunities

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MRAA's Educational Foundation is here to help

For more than 20 years, the MRAA Educational Foundation has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into delivering programs and scholarships and has awarded more than 100 recipients with access to comprehensive dealership training and education.
  • Honoring outstanding women across the marine industry
  • Providing tuition for total dealership management training
  • Supporting dealership leaders to excel in their role
  • Developing service competency that leads to growth
  • Sponsoring impactful educational programming

Scholarships Include:

Darlene Briggs Marine Woman of the Year Award
  • Nominations: Industry leading women delivering outsized positive impact to the marine industry
  • Recognition for contribution to the industry
Full Details
  • Applicants or Nominations: Current or aspiring women leaders in the marine industry 
  • Choice of suggested leadership programs or winner can request MRAA EF approval to attend a similar program 
  • Tuition reimbursement for an approved leadership training class (Up to $3,000) 
Full Details

  • Applicants or Nominations: Current marine industry dealership Owner, GM, Sales Mgr., Service Mgr. or Office Mgr. demonstrating an appetite to gain new dealership management skills

  • Tuition to the NCM 5 Day Total Management 1 Workshop ($3,395 Value)

  • Travel reimbursement for actual expenses up to $800

Full Details
Duane Spader Scholarship
  • Applicants or Nominations:  Current marine dealership Owners or GMs  demonstrating an appetite to gain new leadership skills 
  • Tuition to three of five NCM Associates classes ($10,000 – $13,000 Value) 
    • Total Management 1 
    • Total Management 2 
    • Built to Perform 
    • Fixed Operations Package
    • Four Remote Coaching Sessions 
  • Travel reimbursement for actual expenses up to $800 
Full Details

  • Applicants or Nominations: Current dealership Service Managers, Service Advisors or Technicians demonstrating a desire to elevate their performance

  • Tuition to either the MRAA Service Management or Service Advisor Certification Programs ($1,599 – $2,250 Value)

  • Up to a $2,500 reimbursement to send a technician to technical training (Mercury, Yamaha, Volvo, etc.) of the dealerships choice

Full Details

Engage with the MRAA Educational Foundation today to find the training you need!

Learn More and Apply Today

Investing in your dealership and your career is critical. MRAA's Educational Foundation can help

Does this sound familiar?
  • You and your team constantly seek growth and improvement
  • You want to develop the skills that drive your success
  • Finding the right education opportunities can be difficult
  • You don't always have the funds to access good training
  • A little financial support would go a long way toward helping

    • The MRAA Educational Foundation provides essential financial support for dealerships to enroll team members in education, training and career development, so that dealership growth and success is more attainable.

    MRAA Educational Foundation logo featuring stylized boat and wave graphics with bold blue text

    About MRAA Educational Foundation

    At the MRAA Educational Foundation, we are dedicated to advancing the recreational marine trades by providing essential financial support for education, training, and career development. Our mission is to empower current and future marine professionals by investing in programs, scholarships, and initiatives that nurture innovation, technical expertise, and leadership within the industry. By raising awareness of specialized educational opportunities and institutions, industry experts and state trade organizations, we create pathways for skill enhancement and professional growth that address both today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities. Ultimately, our commitment to fostering talent not only enriches individual careers but also strengthens the overall vitality and sustainability of the recreational marine community.

    Make a Donation

    Support Our Mission to Make an Impact​

    Learn More and Apply Today
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    *Donations to the MRAA Educational Foundation can be made as tax-deductible, charitable contributions

    Congratulations to the 2025 recipients!

    2025
    Darlene Briggs Woman of the Year Award

    Kim Sweers

    FB Marine Group
    About Darlene Briggs Woman of the Year Award
    2025
    Kevin Lodder Scholarship Recipient

    Poppy Troxel

    Sea Ray of Cincinnati
    About Kevin Lodder Scholarship
    2025
    Duane Spader Scholarship Recipient

    Justin Dysert​

    Taylor’s South Shore Marina​
    About Duane Spader Leadership Scholarship
    2025
    Service Department Excellence Scholarship Package

    Reeder Trausch Marine

    Rockville, Indiana 
    About Service Department Excellence Scholarship
    2025
    Darlene Briggs Scholarship

    Daniella Rico

    Bonita Boat Center
    About Darlene Briggs Scholarship

    In the News

    Where Are They Now? Chad Taylor

    Catching up with 2018 Duane Spader Leadership Development Scholarship recipient, Chad Taylor, President and General Manager, Taylor’s South Shore Marina and MRAA Board Member

    Read More »
    June 26, 2024 No Comments

    What Kind of Membership Are You Interested In?

    MRAA Dealer Membership
    Partnership Opportunities

    Kevin Lodder Scholarship

    Business Management

    The Kevin Lodder Scholarship was established in 2004 in memory of Kevin Lodder of Lodder’s Marine in Fairfield, OH. Kevin’s unwavering dedication to his family, friendships, business, and the marine industry inspired the creation of this scholarship. It aims to honor his passion for the industry and commitment to achieving greater success through first-class education. The scholarship provides recipients with full tuition to attend the Spader Total Management I Workshop in Albuquerque, NM, along with a travel stipend. Open to MRAA members in good standing, applicants must be employed in a marine dealership and complete an online application, including an essay and letters of recommendation.

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    Kevin Lodder and family in front of Lodder’s Marine in Fairfield, OH.
    Kevin Lodder and family in front of Lodder’s Marine in Fairfield, OH.
    people on stage at awards ceremony
    Jennifer Haning (center), Business Office Manager at Oak Hill Marina in Arnolds Park, Iowa, received the 2023 MRAA Educational Foundation Kevin Lodder Scholarship by Jim Coburn and Matt Lodder.
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