Scholarship Fund

The Rochester Area Foundation is committed to providing our local students with the support needed to pursue a quality education. We strongly believe that investing in education and our local students is an investment in our overall community.

“Thank you so much for the generous scholarship! I can’t fully express what a difference it made in helping me pursue my college dreams! I’m looking forward to paying it forward some day.”

Meghan Schmitz, Scholarship Recipient

Supporting students in their educational pursuits through scholarships is a rewarding and effective way to meet your charitable objectives. Scholarship funds at Rochester Area Foundation (RAF) vary by size and complexity, but the common element they share is the charitable spirit of the donors who created them. Each scholarship fund is born of a deep belief in the power of education to help people achieve their dreams.

A growing number of donors committed to education have helped us to establish individual scholarship funds serving a variety of interests and needs. Many of these are named in the memory of a loved one. Together, we have awarded more than $500,000 in scholarship grants since 2007 and helped more than 1,000 students fulfill their college dreams.

Rochester Area Foundation offers two types of scholarships:

RAF Managed Scholarship Fund

Foundation Managed Scholarships are overseen by RAF. Every step involved in the standard scholarship process — from the creation and distribution of applications to the disbursement of funds to qualified educational institutions — is administered by RAF. RAF appoints a volunteer committee (that can include the donor) to review student applications and selects recipients based on eligibility criteria that you choose. The minimum amount to establish a foundation managed scholarship fund is $25,000.

Bright Futures Scholarship Fund

Bright Future Scholarship Funds allow anyone to support college-bound students. Gifts of any size may be made to the Bright Futures Scholarship Funds at any time. The eligibility and selection criteria for Bright Futures scholarships are established by RAF. These awards are made either to fill gaps left by existing scholarship programs or to meet community needs.

There are two ways to support this program; gifts to support the Bright Futures Endowment Fund will ensure the long-term availability of scholarship funds, and gifts to support the Bright Futures Current Year Scholarship Fund will increase the number of scholarships awarded in any given year.

In appreciation of each donor’s generosity, and with their permission, we list the names of donors who make a minimum gift of $10,000 to the Bright Futures Scholarship program on the scholarship award letters that are sent to students.

Key Benefits of a Scholarship Fund:

• By opening a scholarship fund, you give countless students the opportunity to pursue their dreams while achieving your own charitable goals
• Whether you want to establish a personal, family, or corporate legacy, give back to your community, or honor your alma mater, RAF will work with you to create a scholarship that is uniquely your own.
• Scholarship funds can be named to recognize the donor(s), a family member, friend or organization. Or, you can select a name for the fund that ensures your anonymity.
• RAF can accept contributions of many types of assets, including stock and real estate.
• Your endowed scholarship will benefit students forever.
• You can be a part of the committee that selects scholarship winners.