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CFFRV 2020 Scholarship Program: 381 Students Receive Scholarships for College

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.

Grant funds from the Community Foundation helped provide updated technology. These upgrades were transformative. By creating new time saving processes, it turned us into a more efficient organization.

Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry

Grantee

I am incredibly grateful for the generosity of the Zari Foundation Scholarship and the Community Foundation in supporting my education. I am majoring in mechanical engineering with a concentration in aerospace engineering at the Rose-Hulman Institue of Technology. In my spare time, I volunteer on campus, in the community and I’m also the principal violist in the symphony orchestra. I hope to make an impact on the next chapter of space exploration by eventually working at a groundbreaking aerospace company such as SpaceX or NASA.

Taytum Newell

Albert M. Zari Scholarship Recipient

Being a part of the Community Foundation scholarship committee is the highlight of my year. For many, a scholarship from the CFFRV is the reason they are able to continue reaching for their dreams and changing the future of our world. I hope each recipients knows just how inspirational they are to those of us who are lucky enough to read their stories.

Jessica Breugelmans

Scholarship Committee Member and Board Member

YEP has made me realize the importance of being involved in my community, and how to make a difference. There are a lot of problems in the world but if we can do everything that we can to help the world will become a better place. YEP has helped me realize this and encouraged me to help more people in the future.

Madi Porter

YEP Member

Education is important to us. We support causes that touch our lives and align with our values. We believe in paying it forward. We are here for a short time,, and it is the next generation that will take on what we leave behind.

Michelle Emanuel

Donor and Past Scholarship Recipient

Give your gift of time and see what it means to the people you impact. Helping others is what life is all about.

Neal Ormond

Donor & Fund Advisor

YEP was a great experience to have in high school. I became a more confident person, someone with a lot more perspective. Coming from a small school, YEP allowed me to branch out into my community, meet students from other schools, and learn about their backgrounds. I made some great friends and still keep in touch with them today.

Abby Vagnoni

YEP Alumni

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

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