Central Carolina Community Foundation awards over $466,000 in scholarships for ’21-’22 school year
October 6, 2021
Central Carolina Community Foundation, the Midlands’ leader in collaborative philanthropy, has awarded more than $466,642 in scholarships to 208 outstanding students across South Carolina and the country for the 2021-2022 school year.
Since 1998, the Foundation has awarded more than $4.58 million in scholarships to help deserving students obtain a higher education. The Foundation manages 46 scholarship funds with awards ranging from $400 to the full cost of tuition, room and board, and fees. The median of scholarships awarded this year was $1,500 and more than 67% of the recipients were first-generation college students.
“We congratulate each of our scholarship recipients and wish them well as they pursue their education,” said JoAnn Turnquist, president and CEO of Central Carolina Community Foundation. “Through the generosity of our fundholders, these students can work towards achieving their goals without added financial burden.”
Each scholarship fund has its own specific purpose and eligibility criteria based on the donor’s recommendations. Many of the funds have been established to honor the legacy of a loved one or as testaments to the donor’s passion for education.
For example, Benny and Eleanor Clark, previous owners of several McDonald’s locations in the Columbia area, established a fund at the Foundation to provide scholarships to South Carolina residents who are African American McDonald’s franchise owners-operators, senior management, or administrative support staff along with their dependents. The scholarship is also available to South Carolina residents attending a Historically Black College or University located in the state.
“It is a rewarding feeling knowing that you are sowing something positive,” said Mrs. Clark.
“You can remember when you were in that situation worrying how you were going to make tuition bills,” Mr. Clark added. “Having a scholarship is rewarding to the student as it gives them the inspiration to continue to do better.”
Since 2019, the Benny and Eleanor Clark Scholarship has awarded more than $6,000 through six scholarships.
Central Carolina Community Foundation will begin accepting online applications for the 2022-2023 school year in January 2022. For more information about applying for scholarships or establishing a scholarship fund at the Foundation, please visit www.yourfoundation.org/scholarships or call 803.254.5601.
About Central Carolina Community Foundation
Central Carolina Community Foundation, the Midlands’ leader in collaborative philanthropy, is a nonprofit organization serving 11 counties in the Midlands of SC by distributing grants and scholarships and linking the resources of donors, nonprofits and area leaders to communities in need. Major initiatives include the online giving challenge Midlands Gives, On the Table, Connected Communities grants, the One SC Fund, and annual scholarships. For more information about the Foundation, visit www.yourfoundation.org or call 803.254.5601.
