Empower the Future with CCEF ScholarshipS

---

As a scholarship donor, you choose the name and structure of the scholarship. You can give it a general name, your name or name the scholarship in tribute to a loved one or special individual. The CCEF Scholarship Committee is available to help you establish related criteria and requirements for your scholarship 

Amount

You can decide how much the scholarship awards and how many students receive the award. 

Type 

What type of scholarship will this be, a one time Annual Scholarship (funded each year, $250 minimum investment) or a four years Scholarship (minimum $10,000 investment)

Length

You may choose how much a typical scholarship award is and how long it will be awarded to recipients.

Disbursement

You may set restrictions on what the scholarship awards cover costs. Traditionally, scholarships pay for expenses added to the student’s higher education billing (including tuition, meal plans, on-campus housing costs, textbooks, laptops, etc.). You can decide how much the scholarship awards and how many students receive the award.  

When you establish your scholarship, you decide the type of student you would like to award. Due to IRS regulations, the selection criteria must create a broad applicant pool, but there are still plenty of ways you can customize your selection criteria. 

What students do in and out of the classroom and their plans are standard selection criteria. If this is important to you, consider these factors:

1. Do you have a qualifying high school GPA? Some donors have even established a maximum GPA requirement to support students who may not qualify for other scholarships.
2. Are there any specific extracurricular activities you’d like to see on a student’s profile? These could be particular involvements, such as being an athlete, a nonprofit volunteer, or a quiz bowl leader.
3. Is there a specific college major or career interest you would like your scholarship to support? Examples can include Journalism, Accounting, Biology, First Responder, etc.

You can also award scholarships based on where the student is from or where they will complete their higher education. If this is important to you, we ask these questions:

1. Can your recipient attend a college or university in-state, out-of-state, or both?
2. Will you require your recipient to be a U.S. citizen?

The Community Foundation’s Scholarship Policies and Procedures are designed to help us administer your scholarship efficiently.  

1. The Power of Partnership

When you partner with the Community Foundation to make a difference for others, you elevate the impact of your philanthropy to build equitable, safe, and supportive communities where all people can thrive.

That’s a benefit to everyone. At the Community Foundation, relationships are at the heart of what we do. We know that making a real difference requires genuine relationships. Together, we can create a personalized strategy to develop long-lasting, meaningful, and targeted change in our community.

2. Tax benefits

Scholarship funds are classified as tax-deductible donations.

The Basics of 501(c)(3) Scholarship Rules

501(c)(3) recognized IRS tax-exempt. The status allows receiving tax-deductible contributions exempt from taxes. It is exciting being a 501(c)(3) organization that can provide scholarships for individual education. Under the IRS rules, scholarships awarded by 501(c)(3) organizations must meet specific criteria to maintain the organization`s tax-exempt status. Criteria include:

• Beneficiary: The scholarship must be awarded to individuals who meet the organization`s charitable purposes.
• Selection Process: The scholarship selection process must be objective and nondiscriminatory.
• Use Funds: The scholarship funds must be used for qualified educational expenses.

The contract outlines the rules for CCEF's scholarship program, as required by law and regulations for 501(c)(3) organizations.

Section 1: Eligibility

The scholarship program is open to individuals who meet the eligibility criteria defined by the Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3) and the organization`s scholarship guidelines.

Section 2: Application Process

Applicants submit a completed form, which is required by the deadline. Incomplete late will not be considered.

Section 3: Selection Criteria

Recipients' scholarships are selected based on academic finances and commitment to community service.

Section 4: Award Disbursement

Scholarship disbursed to the recipient`s institution used tuition, fees, and educational expenses.

Section 5: Compliance with Laws

The scholarship program will comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including but not limited to the Internal Revenue Code, about 501(c)(3) organizations.