Thursday, March 28, 2024

Helping students fulfill their dreams, one scholarship at a time

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Two years ago, 32-year-old Amber Crocker was a new mom with a dream. She wanted to become a nurse but knew she would need some financial help to get her through nursing school. She applied for several scholarships at the Community Foundation of North Central Washington and her application rose to the top for many of our volunteers who diligently review scholarships. Amber ended up with three scholarship awards making her dream possible. Upon receiving the news of her awards, she sent us the following statement:
“When my son was born, I knew that I needed a career so that I could be a better person and role model for him. I want to show him that if you want something bad enough, and if you work hard enough, then any dreams can become reality. With these generous scholarships, I will be able to continue to get the most out of my education in order to become the most prepared and competent nurse that I can be.”
Amber’s story is one of dozens of equally personal and heartfelt messages we receive from our scholarship recipients at CFNCW.  They are the culmination of the hectic and wonderful time of year we call “scholarship season.” Every year approximately 2,500 scholarship applications are carefully read and reviewed by over 200 volunteers. One hundred and twenty scholarships, each with their own unique criteria and review committees, are publicized to schools throughout North Central Washington. Last year, 201 students were awarded a combined total of $734,852 to help them realize their future goals. While the numbers vary slightly, this remarkable work happens every year at the CFNCW thanks to people like you.  
Since our inception, donors have trusted us to realize their dream of creating scholarships for students in our region. CFNCW follows rigorous standards set by the IRS to manage endowed scholarship funds to ensure a fair and unbiased awards process.  Donors often establish scholarships in honor of mothers, fathers, grandparents, spouses, or children who have passed away – memorializing those individuals and creating joy and opportunity out of sadness and loss.
Since scholarship funds are endowed, awards are made every year, in perpetuity. Students who receive scholarships write thank you notes (like Amber’s) which we share with the donors. These thank you notes are incredibly inspiring and it is this feedback loop, from scholarship student to scholarship donor, that strengthens donors’ commitments to their scholarships. In fact, donors often designate a portion of their wills or estate plans to their scholarships, knowing they will continue to benefit students for generations to come.
While managing the scholarship season is extremely labor-intensive, it is incredibly rewarding as well as eye-opening. Long-time board member and scholarship volunteer Peter Valaas remarks, “Having served many years on scholarship review committees, I find that the applicant's academic record and letters of recommendation are contributors to my decision but what carries the most weight is their personal statements. At this juncture they open up their lives, hopes, and dreams to a total stranger and the stories I have read are frequently very moving. Many live in households on the edge of economic well-being and often bear a large share of the load of caring for younger siblings and even supporting the family economically. Although it is extremely gratifying to be able to offer financial assistance toward their continuing education, there is a specter of sadness knowing of the yet unmet need remaining.”
If you would like to help with the unmet needs that Peter describes and want to start a scholarship fund of your own, we welcome your call.  Or, if you would like to get involved on one of our scholarship review committees, we always need the help would love to hear from you.  What better way to spend your time than helping make students’ dreams become reality?
To learn more, visit www.cfncw.org/scholarships or call 509-663-7716.

 
 

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