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Create a Scholarship Fund

Change the future for deserving students.

You choose your scholarship selection criteria such as the high school or university, field of study, and demographics of students. We create and manage the student application and award process.

Lauren Renda Headshot

Contact Lauren Renda, CAP®, Philanthropic Advisor

Learn more about starting a scholarship for yourself, your civic group, or your business.

Email LaurenCall 775-333-5499 Ext. 240

Giving a scholarship is a direct and personal way to help a young person through the Community Foundation. Community Foundation scholarships are as varied as their recipients, as donors create funds to meet their personal objectives. Honoring a loved one, rewarding academic effort, supporting a favorite school, changing the trajectory of a life. What are you passionate about?

Looking for a scholarship?

Scholarships are a way to give that is:

  • Personal: Create a scholarship in honor or memory of someone you admire. Name it for yourself or your family. Encourage a field of study that reflects your life interest.  You can get to know the people you help.
  • Enduring: Scholarship Funds are permanent, endowed funds.
  • Easy: You leave the IRS regulations regarding scholarships and the complicated administrative details to us. You set the selection criteria and you can be involved in the selection committee.  IRS Scholarship regulations are not easy. Even if you have a private foundation, as several of our fundholders do, consider making your scholarships through the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada.
  • Full of Impact: Your gift will make a deep impression on the lives of the students you touch. In turn, they are very likely to pass on your example of helping others when they are able.
Scholarships that encourage scholastic effort for returning or nontraditional students like Peter Pippo pictured here, can help an entire family by opening career paths.
Scholarships that encourage scholastic effort for returning or nontraditional students like Peter Pippo pictured here, can help an entire family by opening career paths. Read Peter's Story

Scholarship Funds may be established by individuals, families, or organizations.

You and your representatives you appoint may be part of the scholarship selection committee. Community Foundation board members and staff will comprise the majority of members.

The minimum initial contribution to establish a scholarship is $50,000.

Your Scholarship Fund is endowed and will grow over time.

The average annual gift from a $50,000 fund is about $2,000. Because we invest with care, your fund will grow, and over time give far more than your initial investment.

Fees

Your scholarship fund will be charged an administrative fee of 1.5% annually of the average daily balance of the fund. The administrative fees will be reduced or adjusted, should the Fund exceed $1 million or other thresholds per the Fee and Fund Policy. Fees are calculated on the daily average fund balance for the most recent month and paid monthly by automatic deduction from the Fund balance.

Your scholarship can be a reflection of what is most important to you. The Read with Me Scholarship provides preschool tuition to young children with an aptitude for reading.
Your scholarship can be a reflection of what is most important to you. The Read with Me Scholarship provides preschool tuition to young children with an aptitude for reading. Read With Me Scholarship

Additional Information

Download PDF

Download the Grants to Individuals Policy

“Both Phil and I went to college on scholarships. The scholarships we give to Nevada residents are important. For our economy, and future, and stability we need college-educated people.”

- Phil & Jennifer Satre