SUPPORT OUR WORK

GIVE ONLINE

Giving Opportunities

Click the button below to see a list of funds at the SWFL Community Foundation that you can donate to. DONATE TO A FUND

MAKE A GRANT FROM YOUR DONOR ADVISED FUND

MAKE A GRANT

SCHOLARSHIP DESCRIPTIONS

Merit & Need Based Scholarships

MERIT BASED SCHOLARSHIPS

These are general descriptions of Southwest Florida Community Foundation Merit Based competitive scholarships for High School Seniors, Adult Learners, Undergraduate Students and Graduate Students who need financial assistance.

NEED BASED SCHOLARSHIPS

These are general descriptions of Southwest Florida Community Foundation Need Based competitive scholarships for High School Seniors, Adult Learners, Undergraduate Students and Graduate Students who need financial assistance.

MERIT BASED SCHOLARSHIPS

AMI Kids SWFL Foundation – Gulf Harbour Yacht Club Scholarship

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must successfully complete the AMI Kids SWFL Program.
  • Must plan to attend a technical school, trade school, college or university.
Jordan Abdo Memorial Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must graduate from North Fort Myers High School
  • Must be a student athlete in at least 1 sport(cheerleading included) with a GPA of at least 3.0
Lewis B. Barber Memorial Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must graduate from public or private high school in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry or Lee counties
  • Must pursue certification to teach deaf/blind or attend seminary/pre-seminary school to study church, Christian music or Christian education.
  • Must maintain satisfactory grades
  • Must acknowledge and express Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior
Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce / Ralph A. Richardson Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Student must be a graduate or high school senior of Estero High School, or the child of a current Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce Member
  • Must be planning to continue his or her education at a vocation/technical school, college or university
  • Must have attained a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher (grade point average on a 4.0 scale) for the previous three academic years and for the current year as of the date of the application
  • Must exhibit a commitment to community service
Dorothy Curtis Brown Early Childhood Scholarship

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must enroll at an accredited college or university in Southwest Florida (Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry or Lee County) to obtain a Child Development Associate Certificate (CDA), Associate’s Degree or Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education.
John & Ruth Childe Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must graduate from public or private high school in Lee County and have a physical disability.
  • Must state and describe disability in personal essay
Couse-Gram Scholarship Fund

For a Moore Haven High School student pursuing post-secondary education.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a Moore Haven High School senior
Mary Ann Elder Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be from the five-county area of Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry or Lee County.
  • Must be entering or continuing a Master Degree Program in social work at an accredited university or college.
Former Everglades City High School Graduate

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must pursue a 2-4 year degree in an accredited college or university and be accepted and plan to attend.
  • Must have a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
  • Must be a high school senior graduating from Everglades City.
  • Secondary preference will be given to children or grandchildren of a service members of the US Armed Forces (current or honorably discharged).
  • Applicant must include in essay as to; “How this will help me benefit the community”
Paul B. & Aline Flynn Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must graduate from a public or private high school in Charlotte, Collier, Lee, Hendry or Glades counties
  • Must pursue a degree in Communications or Journalism
  • Must have a 3.0 or higher GPA
Charles and Margaret Foster Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a resident of Lee County pursuing music at Florida State University OR
  • Must be a resident of Lee County pursuing Environmental Education / Environmental Studies at the University of Florida.
Doris W. Frey Memorial Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must graduate from a public or private high school in Charlotte, Collier, Hendry, Glades or Lee counties
  • Must pursue a degree in Christian ministry/youth ministry, teaching, Christian counseling, nursing, or medicine.
  • Must be committed to a life of Christian service
  • Must demonstrate a commitment through action in ministering to others
  • Must have recognized ability & academic performance with standard measures of grades & appropriate test scores
Bruce T. Gora Photography Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a high school or undergraduate student who will graduate or graduated from a public or private school in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry or Lee County.
  • Pursuing photography (digital or traditional), architecture or music (priority to a brass instrument player or trumpeter) at an accredited college, university, or technical school in Florida.
  • Must have an un-weighted GPA of at least a 2.5.
Francis Harris Gresham Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must graduate from a public or private high school in Lee County.
Immokalee Achievement Award Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a graduating High School Senior from Immokalee High School.
  • Must enroll at a community college or trade school in courses leading to a specialized trade or job skill.
Jim Ilias Athletic Memorial Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a high school athlete in Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Hendry or Glades County.
  • Must be pursuing post-secondary education.
  • Must demonstrate excellence in athletics, academics, sportsmanship and moral character.
USMC Cpl. Thomas J. Jardas Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a senior at Cypress Lake High School.
  • Must have at least a 3.0 GPA.
  • Must be a JROTC Cadet, Media Center for the Arts student or a Varsity Swim Team member.
Chip Johnson Memorial Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must have completed 60 semester hours of college and plan to continue study toward a 4-year degree at Barry University, FGCU, Nova, Edison State College or Hodges University, or a regionally accredited college in the 5-county area.
  • Must have a GPA of 3.5 or above and an outstanding record of academic achievement.
  • Must live in the 5-county area served by the Community Foundation (Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee).
  • Must demonstrate leadership, community service and service to school.
George E. Judd Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements         

  • Must graduate from a public or private high school in Lee County and pursue a degree in fine or performing arts.
Doc Keen Memorial Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must graduate from Clewiston or LaBelle high school
  • Must pursue post-secondary education
  • Must have been active member of 4-H or FFA for 2 consecutive years
Isabel Mayer Kirkpatrick Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must graduate from public or private high school in Lee County.
  • Must be well rounded in terms of education, community service, sports and leadership activities.
  • Must have a GPA between 2.7 – 3.3 unweighted.
Lee County Library Sciences Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must have completed at least 60 Semester Hours and have at least a “B” average or 3.0 GPA unweighted or higher.
  • Must provide 120 hours of service, paid or unpaid, to Lee County Library System while pursuing degree or immediately following degree completion.
Steven F. Lux Scholarship Fund for Police Officers

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a student at the Southwest Florida Public Service Academy.
  • Must study Criminal Justice
Carol Patti McLaughlin Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a student in Lee, Charlotte, Glades or Hendry County.
  • Must be pursuing a four-year degree at an accredited college or university.
  • Must have a GPA of 3.3 or higher.
  • Must exhibit community service.
Patricia Means Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must have a minimum of 2.0 GPA, but must not exceed a 3.0 GPA (student must have an average of a “C” or “B” to apply)
  • Must enroll full time in a technical school, community college, 4 year college or university.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Selected applicants will be called for an interview.
Quality Life Center/Emma Lee Thomas Memorial Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a high school graduate.
  • Must be pursuing further education.
  • Must be affiliated with the Quality Life Center.
Ruth Messmer Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must graduate from public or private high school in Lee, Charlotte, Glades, Hendry or Collier counties.
  • Must be a woman pursuing a business career in college.
  • Must be well-rounded in terms of education, community service, and leadership activities.
Judge William J. Nelson Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must graduate from a high school in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry or Lee Counties.
  • Must have overcome adversity in some way and describe in the essay.
  • Must attend the University of Florida.
Chet and Janett Perry Rotary Club of Fort Myers Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be graduating from a public or private high school in Charlotte, Collier, Hendry, Glades or Lee counties
  • Must pursue a degree in accounting.
  • Must enter college within a year following high school Graduation.
Mrs. Cathy Riedel Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a Cypress Lake High School Student.
  • Must want to pursue a career related to assisting people with special needs. Preference will be given to those who have participated in the Special Olympics and who have aided in ESE classrooms.
  • This award is not restricted to education majors; any public service career is included, such as Law Enforcement, Firefighting, Nursing, Attorneys, Physicians, etc.
John and Ellen Sheppard Humane Student Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must graduate from a public or private high school in Lee, Charlotte, Hendry, or Glade counties.
  • Must have a minimum 3.2 GPA un-weighted.
  • Must acknowledge belief in a universal creator of life or higher power and be actively involved in school and student life with a willingness and a commitment to helping others.
Southwest Florida Deputy Sheriffs Association Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must graduate from high school in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, or Lee counties.
  • Must be a dependent of an active Sheriff’s Office law enforcement officer in one of the above counties.
  • Must list name of law enforcement officer on application and provide documentation of employment with the Sheriff’s Office.
Edna & Felix Swain Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a member of Mt. Olive AME Church in Ft Myers.
  • Priority given to applicants with a minimum 2.5 GPA.
John I. & Madeleine R. Taeni Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a resident of Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry or Lee Counties.
  • Must be highly motivated.
  • Must pursue teaching, nursing paramedic training, or emergency medical technician training.
Richard S. Thompson and Marion L. Thompson Memorial Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must have a GPA of at least 3.5
  • Must graduate from a high school in Lee County
  • Selected applicants will be called for an interview.
G. Napier and Ellen T. Wilson Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must graduate from a public or private high school in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, or Lee counties.
  • Must have served a minimum of 100 volunteer hours at a Veteran’s Administration hospital or clinic, or a similar organization providing services to military veterans.
  • Must provide a letter of recommendation from the veteran’s clinic or organization where the student volunteers.
The Speakers Assembly of Southwest Florida Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must apply for this scholarship through the Speakers Assembly of Southwest Florida.
  • Must be a high school or college student.
  • Must meet the scholarship requirements, which are available through the Speakers Assembly.

NEED BASED SCHOLARSHIPS

American Association of University Women(AAUW) Sue Gottcent Memorial Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a resident of Lee County
  • Must be a women age 25 years of age or over
  • Must be enrolled or will be enrolled in State of Florida College/University system
  • Must demonstrate financial need
  • Preference given to current awardee for subsequent years up to 4 years max
Judge Isaac Anderson, Jr. Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must graduate from public or private high school in Lee County
  • Must be a minority student
  • Must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Must demonstrate strong community ties, preferably to the local Dunbar community, through extracurricular activities, religious endeavors or community service
  • Must plan to attend a two- or four-year regionally accredited\college or university
  • Must document financial need

Selected applicants will be called for an interview in April.

Jane H. Berktold Scholarship

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must graduate from public high school in Lee County
  • Must document financial need
  • Must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher
Daniel J. and Jane H. Berktold Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be attending Columbia College.
  • Must demonstrate financial need.
James Bilder Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must graduate from public high school in Lee County
  • Must document financial need
  • Preference given to applicants planning to attend vocational/technical schools.
John S. Bleakly Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey- School of Law student.
  • Must need financial assistance.
Jane Cavanna Bleakly Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a Haddonfield, New Jersey High School student.
  • Must pursue higher educational studies.
  • Must document financial need.
Howard P. & Magdalen K. Breitenbach Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must graduate from a public or private high school in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, or Lee counties
  • Must be either a former service member of the United States Navy, or a child or grandchild of Navy service member.
  • Must provide proof of service in the United States Navy
  • Must document financial need
Carl E. Brooks Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must graduate from public or private high school in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry or Lee counties
  • Must document financial need
  • Must provide proof of parent’s immigrant status (copy of immigration card or birth certificate) & be a child of an immigrant parent.

Selected applicants will be called for an interview in April.

Certified Public Accountant’s Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be an undergraduate or graduate student.
  • Must plan to attend, or attend, a post-secondary institution in the five-county area of Lee, Charlotte, Hendry, Glades or Collier County.
  • Must be a resident of Lee, Charlotte, Hendry, Glades or Collier County.
  • Must major in Accounting.
  • Must have a 3.0 GPA or higher.
  • Must demonstrate financial need.
City of Sanibel Employee Dependent Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a dependent of a Sanibel City employee.
  • Must be attending a college or university.
  • Must need financial assistance.
James F. Chelius, Jr., Esq Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a Charlotte, Hendry or Lee County graduating senior.
  • Must have lettered in a sport.
  • Must have a minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA.
  • Must plan to pursue post-secondary education at an accredited technical school, community college, college or university.
  • Must document financial need.
D & A Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • For any high school senior in Lee, Charlotte, Hendry or Glades County at a public or private school.
  • For anyone who has already graduated from high school and has yet to turn 23-years-old.
  • Must have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher for his/her entire period of attending high school.
  • Must need financial assistance.
  • Must be attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Flager College in St. Augustine, Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, Florida State University in Tallahassee, Stetson University in Deland, University of Florida in Gainesville, University of Miami in Coral Gables or University of Tampa in Tampa.
  • Must be studying Architecture, Engineering, Literature, Business, International Relations, Medicine, Chemistry, Journalism, Physics, Music (Julliard only), Computer Science, Law or Political Science
Drs. Ira and Udaya Dash Nursing Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must reside in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry or Lee County
  • Must plan to attend or be attending FSW or Florida Gulf Coast University
  • Must be enrolled in Nursing Program
  • Must document financial need
Dunbar Heritage Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a graduating member of Dunbar High School
  • Must be of African-American descent
  • Must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher
  • Must enter college within the year following high school Graduation
  • Must document financial need
Anne M. Fassett Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must graduate from public or private high school in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry or Lee counties; or be currently enrolled or planning to attend a Florida state college, community college, or technical school
  • Must have a physical disability and use a wheelchair
  • Must document financial need
William L. Graddy Law School Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must have completed first year of law school
  • Must have a GPA of 2.8 or above
  • Must have been a resident of Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry or Lee county for at least 3 years
  • Must demonstrate financial need
Jordan Ashley Gutheim Scholarship

For an Evangelical Christian School High School graduate in Fort Myers, Florida.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a graduating high school senior from Evangelical Christian School in Fort Myers.
  • Must be a resident of Lee County.
  • Must plan to attend FSU.
  • Must demonstrate financial need.
Matt Harmon Memorial Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must graduate from a public school in Lee County
  • Must be male and have played baseball in high school
  • Must document financial need
Keen Family Nursing Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a student at FSW.
  • Must be motivated and academically qualified.
  • Must pursue an education in nursing.
  • Must demonstrate financial need.
Robert A. Kleckner Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must graduate from a high school in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry or Lee counties
  • Must pursue a degree in finance or accounting
  • Must document financial need
Love of Bonita Empowerment Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a resident of Bonita Springs & have been out of high school for at least 2 years.
  • Must document financial need
Norman Marcus Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • The scholarship fund will award one scholarship to a student for 4 years or for such time as will allow the student to complete a college or graduate degree.
  • The student must maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 to receive the scholarship each succeeding year.
  • Preference given to a high school graduate from Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry or Lee Counties.
  • Must demonstrate financial need.
Dr. Janet Marderness Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a Fort Myers High School graduating senior.
  • Must have attended Fort Myers High School during their Junior and Senior years.
  • Must have a minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA.
  • Must plan to study any Math or Science related fields.
  • Must plan to attend an accredited institution.
  • Must document financial need.
Gail Markham Believing in Girls Scholarship

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a female student who has graduated from a high school in Lee, Charlotte, Hendry, Glades or Collier County.
  • Must plan to attend an accredited college, university, or technical school.
  • Must have a minimum 3.0 GPA for up to four years.
  • Must demonstrate financial need.
Lloyd & Shirley Matthai Scholarship

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a resident of Lee County.
  • Must be a single mother.
  • Must demonstrate financial need.
  • Must pursue education in the medical or dental field.
Lloyd & Shirley Matthai Scholarship for HIGH SCHOOLERS

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be attending a private non-boarding high school in Lee County.
  • Must demonstrate financial need.
Gerard C. Mehr Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Essay must express desire to acquire new skills and goals to help others.
  • Must live in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry or Lee Counties.
  • Must be a high school graduate or hold a GED or an adult learner seeking education.
  • Must document financial need.
Julie Willard Mikell Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must graduate from a public or private high school in Lee County.
  • Must have a minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Must demonstrate strong ties to the community through extracurricular activities, religious endeavors or community service
  • Must document financial need
Robert B. and Dorothy Pence Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must graduate from a public or private high school in Lee County.
  • Must be an industrious student with good moral character
  • Must document financial need
Faye Lynn Roberts Education Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be 21 years of age or older pursuing a career in technical studies, court reporting, computer training or nursing.
  • Must be a resident of Lee County
  • Must demonstrate financial need
David G. Robinson Arts Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must graduate from a high school in Lee County & plan to study the arts.
  • Must be an industrious student with good moral character
  • Must document financial need
  • Must show leadership and community service
Sanibel Community Church Scholarship Fund: Next Generation Fund Trust

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a child or grandchild of a member of Sanibel Community Church
  • Must show academic excellence and other abilities
  • Must be a high school graduate; private, public or home schooled certified
  • Must have a commitment to the Christian faith and lifestyle
  • Must have a willingness to serve others in a church and community
  • Must document financial need
Robert C. & Margaret A. Schikora Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must graduate from public or private high school in Lee County with documented “B” average
  • Must be well rounded in terms of education, community service, sports and leadership
  • Must document financial need
John M. & Mary A. Shanley Memorial Scholarship

For a 4-year scholarship to students studying medicine, law, dentistry, teaching(math & science), ministry, engineering, accounting, agriculture, architecture, or computer science.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must graduate from a high school in Charlotte, Hendry, or Lee Counties
  • Must plan to pursue medicine, law, dentistry, teaching (math or science), ministry, engineering, accounting, Agriculture, architecture or computer science.
  • Must document financial need
  • GPA of 3.0 or higher

Selected applicants will be called for an interview.

Ellen Sheppard Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must pursue a degree in Art (specifically visual arts-painting, photography or sculpture) or Nursing
  • Must graduate from a high school in Lee County
  • Preference will be given to students who are in their first year of college; however, students at all class levels will be considered
  • Must have a minimum 3.5 GPA
  • Must document financial need
Jay Sheppard Memorial Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a Bishop Verot Catholic High School graduate.
  • Must demonstrate school spirit through participation in extracurricular activities, community service, spiritual growth opportunities and leadership.
  • Must demonstrate financial need.
Allen B. and Elizabeth W. Shevach Scholarship Fund for University of Florida College of Medicine

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a high school graduate of a Lee County High School.
  • Must be enrolled at the University of Florida College of Medicine
  • Must document financial need.
Allen B. and Elizabeth W. Shevach Scholarship Fund for John Hopkins University at Baltimore

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a high school graduate of a Lee County High School.
  • Must be enrolled or plan to enroll at John Hopkins University.
  • Must document financial need.
Allen B. and Elizabeth W. Shevach Scholarship Fund for Lee County High School Graduates

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a high school graduate of a Lee County High School.
  • Must document financial need.
The William (Billy) R. Shevach Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Students must have lettered in at least one interscholastic high school sport.
  • Must document financial need.
Ann and Tom Smoot Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a Lee County high school graduate.
  • Must have at least a 2.7 unweighted GPA.
  • Must be pursuing post-secondary education at an accredited technical school, college or university in Florida.
  • Must demonstrate financial need.
Spring Run Charitable Foundation Scholarship

For Spring Run Country Club employees and their dependents age 26 years or younger in pursuit of further education.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a high school graduate or equivalent.
  • Must have at least a 2.5 un-weighted GPA.
  • Must be an employee of Spring Run Country Club who has completed four (4) months of service OR the dependent, age 26 years or younger, of such an employee.
Anne Sturrock Nursing Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a member or a child of a member of St. Andrew Catholic Church
  • Must pursue a career in nursing
  • Must document financial need
Stef’an Strawder-A Mother’s Love Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a student in Lee County.
  • Must be an athlete.
  • Must have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
  • Must document financial need.
United Christian Giving/Hodges University Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a Hodges University student.
  • Must demonstrate financial need.
Frances H. Waldron Scholarship Fund

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be an Immokalee High School graduate.
  • Must have a GPA between 3.2 and 3.4.
  • Must plan to attend an accredited college or university in Southwest Florida.
  • Must need financial assistance.