About MOST

Providing Educational Options in Memphis

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In 1998, Memphis businessman Bob Solmson founded MOST on the belief that all children deserve an equal opportunity to receive the education that best fits their needs — regardless of their ZIP codes or financial circumstances.

To fulfill that mission, MOST offers need-based scholarships to qualifying families in Shelby County who wish to send their children to private schools.

Thanks to contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations, MOST has provided over $26 million in scholarships to more than 3,600 children since its inception. In addition to local donations, MOST receives funds from the Children's Scholarship Fund, a New York organization,  that helps support thousands of scholarships across the U.S.

Our scholarship fund is designed for invested families who are working to give their children a better educational choice, no matter their child's needs and no matter what school they choose.

2025-2026 School Year

Quick Facts

$1,013,418

MOST granted $1,013,418 to 352 students attending 43 partner schools.

$2,865

The median scholarship for students in PK3 through grade 12 is $2,865.

$15,855

The median tuition per student is $15,855 (not inclusive of financial aid provided by schools).

50%

MOST Scholarships provided, on average, 50% of students' tuition less school financial aid.

How MOST
Scholarships Work

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Applications
Families who qualify financially may apply* for a scholarship for their child Pk-2nd grade. Once enrolled the child may receive the MOST scholarship through their senior year. A child with special needs may attend for a scholarhip up to grade 8.
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Scholars Choose
The parents or guardians of MOST Scholars choose the schools they believe are the best fit for their children. MOST provides the scholarship funds directly to the partner schools each semester.
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Needs Based
Scholarship amounts are determined based on a combination of the family’s income, household size, tuition cost, financial aid, and any vouchers they are receiving. The maximum scholarship amount is $4,000 per student and $5,000 for special needs.
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Additional Scholarships
During the second semester of eighth grade, any student currently attending one of our partner schools may apply for the merit-based McDonnell Scholarship. This scholarship is $2,500 and will be in addition to any MOST scholarship the student is receiving. In addition to extra programs and mentoring, any McDonnell scholar that chooses to attend college in Memphis will have $10,000 per year of their living expenses covered.

*Note: Each February, MOST receives hundreds more pre-applications than it can fund. For new families, scholarships are awarded by lottery in early spring. Families already receiving a MOST scholarship are required to submit requalification paperwork each spring, but do not have to enter the lottery process. 

Meet our distinguished Board of Directors

Learn More About Our Board

Meet the team

Our team helps parents and students across Memphis find the financial support
they need to pursue more educational opportunities with confidence. 
Finy Shirley

Executive Director

Susan Kunkle

MOST Accountant

Shelby Ramsey

Program Director

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MOST is part of the Children’s Scholarship Fund (CSF) national network of scholarship-granting organizations. CSF and its partner programs are committed to empowering families in need with the ability to choose the K–8 schools that best meet their children’s needs, regardless of their ability to pay or where they live. For more information, please visit scholarshipfund.org.