The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley (CFFRV) is pleased to announce its 2020 Scholarship Program recipients, as well as congratulate all graduates on their hard work during an unprecedented year.
Of the 694 students who applied, 381 were awarded scholarships from CFFRV. Scholarship dollars awarded over the next four years equal $1,745,100, a 37.3-percent increase from last year.
The CFFRV Scholarship Program consists of more than 200 separate scholarship funds created by individual donors who establish specific criteria for the administration of their scholarships. Applications are reviewed by a volunteer Scholarship Committee comprised of community members.
“I’m incredibly appreciative of the time our Scholarship Committee devotes to this process – they spend hundreds of hours reviewing applications,” said Austin Dempsey, Scholarship Committee chair. “I’m so proud of them, and of our impact across the Fox River Valley.”
The recipients indicated interest in pursuing the following majors or fields of study:
- STEM-related Fields – 62 percent
- Arts, Education & Humanities – 19 percent
- Business & Trades – 11 percent
- Politics & Government – 6 percent
- Undeclared – 2 percent
Rhonda Soos, director of scholarships, is amazed at the growth of the program, which has awarded more than $18 million in scholarships since the organization’s inception in 1948.
“When we report the statistics of each scholarship cycle, we show a continued commitment to our mission – helping donors meet their philanthropic objectives,” Soos said. “In this case, that means helping donors make a difference in 381 students’ lives.”
Due to the circumstances brought on by COVID-19, the CFFRV Scholarship Team carefully reviewed and discussed applicants’ submissions via Zoom. CFFRV thanks the Scholarship Committee for quickly adapting to ensure the process was managed as efficiently and effectively as usual.
To view a full list of scholarship funds, visit www.cffrv.gives/scholarship-funds. To learn more about the CFFRV 2020 Scholarship Program, as well as view the full list of recipients, and program statistics, visit www.cffrv.org/2020-scholarship-program.
