For more than three decades, Connecticut Community Foundation has helped make the dreams of local scholars a reality, and this year is no exception. For the 2023-24 academic year, the Foundation is awarding $1.1 million in scholarship support to more than 400 students, enabling them to pursue their educational aspirations at two-year and four-year schools across the nation. This achievement has been made possible through the collective generosity of more than 160 donors who have established enduring scholarship funds at the Foundation.
“Across the span of decades, the surge in college tuition has far outstripped growth in family incomes and wealth. The challenge of funding a college education places an immense and ever-expanding burden on students and their families. The inability to bear the weighty costs of higher education can quash aspirations and amplify disparities, limiting access to opportunities and hampering the journey toward a bright future,” stated Julie Loughran, president and CEO of Connecticut Community Foundation. “We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the countless donors who recognize that empowering students to unlock their full potential and pursue their dreams yields benefits throughout the entire community. This investment isn’t confined to the present; it echoes for generations to come.”
The reach of the Foundation’s scholarship programs is a testament to the profound impact of local philanthropy and community engagement. By uniting individuals who share a common vision of fostering educational growth and personal achievement, the Foundation has become a cornerstone of hope and opportunity for thousands of students.
As a prominent scholarship provider within Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills, the Foundation has awarded scholarships totaling more than $17 million since its inception in 1989. This legacy of support underscores the Foundation’s unwavering commitment to cultivating a brighter future for our region’s promising scholars.
The Foundation’s focus on building equitable opportunities through education aims to help students to reach life goals that might otherwise remain out of reach. Connecticut Community Foundation believes that nurturing the potential of local scholars will create a ripple effect of positive change throughout the community.
As 2023 scholarship recipient Linerys Ramos shares, “I am immensely grateful for the impact these scholarships have had on my educational journey. The generosity of donors within our community has empowered me to pursue my bachelor’s degree in criminology at Central Connecticut State University. From the bottom of my heart, I extend my heartfelt appreciation for your invaluable donations to the Foundation.”
View the complete list of students by town who have been awarded scholarships by Connecticut Community Foundation for the 2023-24 academic year at www.conncf.org/scholars. To learn more about establishing a scholarship fund at the Foundation, visit www.conncf.org/create-a-fund/.
