Our fund holders make us proud: Oaklawn Foundation Fund for Education

The Hot Springs Area Community Foundation enjoys many opportunities to partner with individuals and organizations to improve our community and quality of life for our residents. One such organization is the Oaklawn Foundation.

The Oaklawn Foundation is involved and assisting in many different areas of need, primarily in the areas of education and health. Just one such example is their Oaklawn Foundation Scholarship Program. We have the privilege of serving as their partner in servicing the funds from which the scholarships are awarded. We become the “bankers” this time of year as the new school year begins and the scholarship winners anxiously await their checks to be sent to the school or university of their choice.

In May of this year, the Oaklawn Foundation awarded $360,000 in scholarships to 118 local recipients. Recipients included students from all seven school public school districts in Garland County, Gospel Light Christian School graduates and homeschooled students. Eligibility is only based on residency in Garland County and enrollment in any accredited community college, technical school or four-year public or private college or university for graduate or postgraduate studies.

We’d like to congratulate those 118 winners and wish them the best of everything for the upcoming year. Over 460 applications were received with these 118 being considered the “cream of the crop.” Unfortunately, everyone couldn’t be selected, but the program will be offered again with new applications beginning Jan. 2, 2018. The process will be offered online for the first time this next year and even more applications are being anticipated.

The Arkansas Community Foundation also services other scholarship funds for other fund holders. As seen from the number of applications that were submitted to the Oaklawn Foundation program, there is a definite need for additional sources of funds for higher education.

Should you wish to consider setting up a scholarship fund, please do not hesitate to contact me at 501620-4008, or email hotspringsarea@arcf.org.

And on another note, why don’t we all say a big thank you to not only the Oaklawn Foundation, but all the teachers, administrators and educational professionals who contributed and made it possible for these students to achieve their goals and dreams for the future. Show your gratitude to them when you see them in the community!