News & Stories

Over Half a Million Dollars in Scholarships Awarded

2026 Crystal Downs Country Club Scholarship recipients together in a group photo

Image description: 2026 Crystal Downs Country Club Scholarship recipients together in a group photo. The students are smiling and wearing business or semi-formal attire.

The Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation recently awarded 267 scholarships, totaling $546,720, to 211 high school seniors, college students, and trade school students across the five-county region.

“Thanks to generous community donors and local partnerships, the variety of scholarships we have provide opportunities for students pursuing diverse post-secondary pathways,” said Gina Thornbury, senior manager of community impact of the Community Foundation. “Access to education and learning beyond high school is an essential contributor to creating a region where every person feels connected, supported, and empowered.”

As part of this year’s scholarship awards, the Community Foundation supported:

$82,740 to 22 students from Antrim County.
$196,140 to 40 students from Benzie County.
$223,930 to 125 students from Grand Traverse County.
$10,570 to 6 students from Kalkaska County.
$20,370 to 8 students from Leelanau County.
$12,970 to 10 students from outside the region through partnerships with national and state-wide organizations.

In addition to these scholarships, the Community Foundation granted $100,000 earlier this year to 9 local schools and school districts to support student scholarships, including Benzie Central Schools, Elk Rapids Senior High School, Forest Area Community Schools, Frankfort Elberta Area Schools, Kalkaska High School, Kingsley Area Schools, Leland Public Schools, Mancelona Public Schools, and Suttons Bay Public Schools. These grants came from the Community Foundation’s Wilfred and Joan Larson Endowment and bring the Foundation’s total support for post-secondary education opportunities to $646,720.

“We wish a big congratulations to all students receiving scholarships this year. We’re honored to support their current and future goals and dreams,” said Torey Caviston, community impact coordinator of the Community Foundation

For more information about Community Foundation scholarships, please visit the Foundation’s website at www.gtrcf.org/scholarships/apply. To view a full list of 2026 scholarship recipients, visit www.gtrcf.org/scholarshipawards.