The Homer Foundation awarded 25 scholarships totaling $77,000 to local students this year through donor-supported endowed funds. Since 2000, the program has awarded more than $573,000 in scholarships, continuing to support students across the southern Kenai Peninsula in pursuing their educational and career goals.
The Homer Foundation has awarded 25 scholarships totaling $77,000 to area students through endowed funds created by generous community donors. Since the scholarship program began in 2000, the Foundation has awarded 394 scholarships totaling more than $573,000, investing in the future leaders of our communities.
Congradulations to the awardees:
Morgan Carlson-Kelly | Charity Gordon | Gracie High | Tung Tran | Anna Springer | Aletha Gall | Hannah Klima | McKenzie Hansen | Marina Co | Sierra Mullikin | Ellen Barrett | Keagan Niebuhr | Jen Hankins | Ludmila Martushev | Martin Molodih | Erin Griffith | Jack Witten | Cassidy Carroll | Caden Latta | Scottlyn Lyons| Michael Geagel | Zach Kudla
This year saw an increase in applications, especially from other areas of the service area like Seldovia, with 92 students applying for 25 scholarships. The highly qualified applicant pool made for a competitive process and gave volunteer scholarship committees many strong candidates to consider.
“I always love coming together with these committees and working through these tough decisions,” said Lauren Seaton, Office and Programs Manager at the Homer Foundation. “Seeing so many people volunteer to support these students really highlights our strong sense of community.”
The scholarships support students pursuing a wide range of educational and career goals, including the Ptarmigan Arts Scholarship, which encourages young artists to continue their creative development. After one applicant shared doubts about making a living as an artist, committee chair Gary Lyon responded, “When I started out, I had those same doubts—but I did it anyway. Honestly, I still have them some days. This is our way of saying, ‘Here’s what we can offer—we hope you go for it.’”
A new scholarship introduced this year was the LFI Scholarship. Created by an anonymous donor, the scholarship focuses on supporting students who demonstrate strong goal-setting abilities. Two deserving students each received a $6,000 award.
Thanks to donors and ongoing community support, these scholarships will continue investing in local students for generations to come.
Duffy’s Legacy Fund, a donor-advised fund at the Homer Foundation, honors the life of Anesha “Duffy” Murnane by supporting young children, families, and early childhood education programs throughout the community.
As online fundraising platforms increasingly create nonprofit donation pages without permission, clear communication about trusted giving channels is essential to protecting donor trust. The Homer Foundation encourages nonprofits and fundholders to proactively guide supporters toward secure, approved ways to give.
On May 19, the Homer Foundation visited recent Quick Response Grant recipients in Seldovia and presented a scholarship to graduating senior Michael Geagel.
The Homer Foundation awarded 25 scholarships totaling $77,000 to local students this year through donor-supported endowed funds. Since 2000, the program has awarded more than $573,000 in scholarships, continuing to support students across the southern Kenai Peninsula in pursuing their educational and career goals.
Students in the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) program reviewed nonprofit applications and awarded $20,000 to local organizations supporting food security, housing, and early childhood services on the southern Kenai Peninsula. Funded by Robert and Meon Purcell, the program helps build youth leadership and community awareness.
We thank Ken Taylor for his dedicated service on the Board of Trustees. His thoughtful leadership and deep commitment to the community made a lasting impact.
