When the founders of the Stohlman Foundation first wrote their bylaws in 1986, the mission stated that it was established “for the purpose of preserving and continuing the art of leathercraft and especially to encourage young people to preserve and advance the ancient folklore of leathercraft.”

While the Al and Ann Stohlman Awards have become a focus of the Foundation over the years, it’s always been part of the organization’s mission to encourage the next generation to pursue leatherworking and take it to the next level.

In 2025, the Stohlman Foundation launched the Stohlman Scholarship Fund to support just that. The heart of these scholarships is a commitment to the future of the craft. The heart of these scholarships is a commitment to the future of the craft. The Scholarship Fund aims to broaden the horizons of leatherworking knowledge, prioritizing youth who face financial barriers to attending workshops to advance their skills. That said, the application is open to all, and all are welcome to apply!

To apply for these scholarships, students can submit their application at https://bit.ly/stohlmanscholarships

Please apply 30 days in advance so the scholarship committee can review applications.

Acknowledgments
This initiative was started largely in part by the family of 2021 Al Stohlman Award winner G.K. Fraker. When he passed away in 2022, Fraker’s family made a heartfelt request. In lieu of flowers, they asked that friends and family donate to the Al & Ann Stohlman Foundation. These generous contributions have paved the way for the introduction of Stohlman Foundation Scholarships.

Learn More

Michael Magnus has joined the Al & Ann Stohlman Foundation as the Development Director overseeing this program. If you are interested in donating to future scholarships to keep this initiative going for generations to come, you can reach out to him at michael@magnusopus.com