What is the Etowah Scholarship Foundation?
We are a community supported foundation that serves Bartow County, Georgia by distributing college scholarships on behalf of local businesses, corporations, individuals, churches and area civic organizations. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We are very fortunate and blessed to have supporters who realize the value of education and the positive impact it brings our Bartow community. This is an investment that makes a difference not only in the future of our recipients, but in the future of our quality of life as a whole.
Our Foundation is dedicated to encouraging students in the pursuit of their dreams of a higher education and providing a distribution channel for college scholarships.
The Etowah Scholarship Foundation is one of ten community supported foundations in the country that encourages and assists youth to pursue higher education.
What are my options if I want to become a scholarship donor?
Donors may contribute scholarships in several ways:
1) Pass-Through Scholarship – Donors provide scholarship funds to be awarded annually and year-to-year participation is the choice of the donor.
2) Endowment Scholarship – Donors contribute a lump sum or sizeable gift which generates enough interest annually to fund a recurring scholarship in perpetuity. Many donors desire to memorialize a loved one or establish a family legacy by setting up an endowment to support the education of the youth of our community.
3) Sponsorship Scholarship – Sponsors from our fundraising events have the option to award a scholarship in their name.
2) Endowment Scholarship – Donors contribute a lump sum or sizeable gift which generates enough interest annually to fund a recurring scholarship in perpetuity. Many donors desire to memorialize a loved one or establish a family legacy by setting up an endowment to support the education of the youth of our community.
3) Sponsorship Scholarship – Sponsors from our fundraising events have the option to award a scholarship in their name.
Donors may determine criteria in the selection of the scholarship recipient. Please call our office for additional details.
Is the scholarship donation tax deductible?
The Etowah Scholarship Foundation is a non-profit organization so any donation of any amount should be tax deductible. Please check with your tax preparer to ensure you receive the full benefit of your contribution.
How many scholarships do you distribute each year and what’s the average award amount?
We award over 200 scholarships each year, mostly ranging from $1,000 to $2,000. However, the number of scholarships awarded each year varies according to the number of community donors. Scholarships are distributed according to need and/or merit. Since its inception in 1982, the Foundation has distributed more than $6 million to over 7,000 Cartersville/Bartow County students.
How many students apply for an Etowah Scholarship Foundation Scholarship?
Each year we receive over 350 applications. Our goal is to meet the needs of the students by increasing the scholarship donations to better serve the needs of the community.
Who is eligible for a scholarship?
Cartersville/Bartow County residents who are attending college or plan to attend college are eligible to apply. This includes both traditional and non-traditional students; scholarships are available for students enrolled full-time in undergraduate, graduate and technical programs. Please see our eligibility requirements listed on the Scholarships page.
How are scholarship recipients selected?
We have anonymous volunteers who serve on our Scholarship Review Board (SRB). This Board operates independently from our Board of Directors and reviews all applications. The SRB then discusses the merits and financial needs of each applicant and works to match the best fit based on donor requirements.
When and how are scholarships awarded?
In early June, we celebrate with the donors, recipients and family members. The scholarship award certificate is presented to the recipient by the donor in a public ceremony, similar to a graduation ceremony. Photos are taken and published in the local newspaper of the recipients and donors. Scholarship checks are then distributed in July.
What are other ways I can contribute to ESF?
The community can support our program by attending our fundraiser events, or by donating merchandise to auction at our events. We are actively searching for contributors and participants for our annual fundraisers. Sponsors are acknowledged at the events though electronic presentations, banners, flyers, our Facebook page and on our website.
What are the Etowah Scholarship Foundation’s goals?
Our goal always is to increase support for local students in their pursuit of a higher education. By connecting students with these local scholarships, we help make our community a better place to live.