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.
The Seeds of Support program successfully awarded $100,000 in matching funds, helping local nonprofits grow their endowments and strengthen long-term community impact.
A lively annual gathering brought the community together for great food, conversation, and music.
Amid federal funding cuts, Homer nonprofits are showing resilience - raising emergency support, growing endowments, and continuing to strengthen their future through the Seeds of Support program.
Jackie Novell, drawn to Homer by fishing and community, is creating a legacy of giving back through the Homer Foundation.
This is the eighth of nine short historical reminiscences to mark the 30th anniversary of the Homer Foundation, Alaska’s first community foundation. This series was produced by The Foundation and written by former board member Tom Kizzia. It was first published in 2021.
This is the third of nine short historical reminiscences to mark the 30th anniversary of the Homer Foundation, Alaska’s first community foundation. This series was produced by The Foundation and written by former board member Tom Kizzia.
