Scholarship Funds

Investing in deserving students may be the best investment you ever make.

The Findlay High School Class of 1956 wanted to help students become teachers who change lives. A scholarship fund at The Community Foundation was their way of shaping the future.

A scholarship is an investment in your community’s future. The Community Foundation provides the expertise in administering the application process and awards scholarship to deserving students. 

You can create a scholarship as a memorial to someone special, selecting the eligibility criteria that exemplify that person’s goals and values. Or, you may use it to express your own educational values, or those of your family or business. 

Our scholarship manager tracks performance to ensure students continue to meet the terms for scholarship renewals.

How it works:

  • You make a gift to your community foundation — you can give cash, appreciated stocks, real estate, or other assets.
  • We set up a scholarship in your name, in the name of your family or business, or in honor of any person or organization you choose.
  • You receive tax benefits in the year your gift is made.
  • Our professional program staff helps you to determine eligibility requirements for the scholarship you establish — whether they are based on a student’s field of study, academic achievements, extracurricular activities, financial need, background, or geography.
  • We handle all the administrative details — and award scholarships to deserving students in the name of the fund you establish.
  • You receive updates on the impact your gift is making in our community.
  • Your gift will be placed into an endowment that is invested over time. Earnings from your fund are used to make grants addressing community needs. Your gift — and all future earnings from your gift — is a permanent source of community capital, helping to do good work forever.

Establishing a Scholarships

Step 1: Determine how you will establish the fund. Either through a full endowment (minimum $15,000 or $25,000 endowment levels) or through a seed fund (minimum $1,000).

Step 2: Establish scholarship criteria. Work with Community Foundation to determine scholarship requirements. Scholarships may be awarded to students based upon area of interest, school, leadership potential, academic achievement and/or other criteria of your choosing.

Step 3: Administration of scholarship funds. Applications for TCF scholarships are made available the first Wednesday of February each year. You or your designees may serve on the selection committee provided certain criteria are met.

Charitable Fund Options