Community Foundation Scholarships
How To Apply
We encourage students to explore the open scholarship opportunities listed below and to visit the Students tab for additional resources and support. The Community Foundation offers many scholarships, each with its own eligibility criteria.
Universal Scholarship Application
Most scholarships use the Community Foundation’s universal application, which matches students with all eligible opportunities through a short series of questions at the beginning of the application process. Applications for 2026 can be started and submitted from February 9 – March 27.
Some scholarships require a separate application outside of the universal process. These scholarships are marked with an asterisk (*) and include additional details in the Key Criteria column of the table below. Application dates for these opportunities may differ from the Community Foundation’s universal application and are listed on each individual scholarship page.
Scholarship Notifications
All 2026 applicants can expect to receive a scholarship decision by mid-May. If you are awarded a scholarship, Community Foundation staff will contact you with instructions to claim your award.
Renewable Scholarships
Students who previously received a renewable scholarship and are eligible for renewal in 2026 will receive an email with recertification instructions from the Community Foundation's staff during the renewal window of May 18 – June 19.
Available Scholarships
$1,000
Application Deadline:
Feb 28, 2026
Graduating Senior from Yelm High School planning to pursue studies related to education or the arts.
*Application through Yelm Dollars for Scholars
$1,000
Application Deadline:
Feb 28, 2026
Graduating Senior from Yelm High School planning to pursue studies at a trade, technical, or vocational school.
*Application through Yelm Dollars for Scholars
$2,000
Application Deadline:
Feb 28, 2026
Graduating Senior from Yelm High School planning to pursue a career in education or public service.
*Application through Yelm Dollars for Scholars
$2,500
Application Deadline:
Mar 27, 2026
Graduating senior from Capital High School; cumulative GPA between 3.0-3.5 required. Must demonstrate financial need and community involvement. Preference will be given to students planning to pursue a teaching degree.
$2,500
Application Deadline:
Mar 27, 2026
A senior graduating from a high school in Thurston County or a senior living in Thurston County but graduating from a high school outside the county, planning to pursue a post-secondary education in a trade school or vocational school, community college, or four-year college or university. GPA of 2.5 or higher is required.
$2,000
Application Deadline:
Mar 27, 2026
Graduating senior residing in Thurston County and planning to pursue a career in law enforcement or another field, such as social work, related to the law enforcement sector. Preference will be given to applicants who identify as a person of color. (Renewable)
$1,000
Application Deadline:
Mar 27, 2026
Purpose is to help OHS seniors in obtaining a higher education (two-year, four-year, vocational or technical institution). Preference may be given to students participating in Key Club, and a minimum 3.0 GPA is required. Must show an indication of personal success, and a commitment to community. 2 letters of recommendation required. (Renewable)
*Application through OHS
$5,000
Application Deadline:
Mar 27, 2026
Must be currently enrolled as a college sophomore or above, with a declared major in natural resources or land use planning at one of the following institutions: University of Washington, Washington State University, Western Washington University, The Evergreen State College, Gray's Harbor College, Green River College, Peninsula College, or Walla Walla Community College; minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 required.
$2,500
Application Deadline:
Mar 27, 2026
Graduating Senior from NTHS with a cumulative GPA between 3.0-3.5, planning to pursue a post-secondary education including four-year university, community college, vocational, or trade school. Student must demonstrate community involvement.
$5,000
Application Deadline:
Mar 27, 2026
Graduating senior from a Lewis County High School and planning to pursue a four-year degree from an accredited college or university. Must demonstrate financial need and work or community service experience. (Renewable)
$1,000
Application Deadline:
Mar 27, 2026
Scholarships will be awarded based on individual needs, and priority will be given to MMK students who might not otherwise attend a school, college, or training program after graduation without financial assistance.
*Application Available through MMK Staff
$4,000
Application Deadline:
Mar 27, 2026
Graduating senior from OHS that attends a college or university in WA State; preference given to a student planning to pursue a teaching degree in mathematics. Students planning to pursue a teaching degree or a degree in the fields of meteorology, music, or environmental studies are also welcome to apply.
$1,500
Application Deadline:
Mar 27, 2026
Graduating senior from OHS that demonstrates innovation, ingenuity, or creativity in their science, technology, engineering, or math studies. Special consideration is given for non-traditional learners, who might exhibit an unconventional approach to learning, or who have demonstrated their ability or interest outside of traditional academic markers. Must be planning to pursue a post-secondary education including four-year university, community college, vocational, trade school, or other educational institution (full-time or part-time enrollment).
$12,500
Application Deadline:
Mar 27, 2026
Graduating senior from either OHS or NTHS. Must be planning to attend a public accredited 2-4 year institution in Washington State. Minimum GPA of 3.0 required. (Renewable)
$1,000
Application Deadline:
Mar 27, 2026
Graduating senior from a high school in Thurston County, demonstration of significant financial need required. (Renewable)
$3,500
Application Deadline:
Mar 27, 2026
GED student or a graduating senior from a high school in Thurston County or Pierce County, demonstration of significant financial need required. Priority for students of color and those who demonstrate a commitment to others. (Renewable)
$3,000
Application Deadline:
Mar 27, 2026
Graduating Senior from OHS planning to pursue studies related to education or teaching at a 2 or 4 year institution.
$1,500
Application Deadline:
Mar 27, 2026
Graduating senior from a public High School in Thurston, Mason, or Lewis Counties, or Raymond (Pacific County); cumulative GPA between 1.75 and 2.75. Student must be planning to attend a trade school, apprenticeship program, vocational school, or 2 year program at a community college. (Renewable)
$1,000
Application Deadline:
Mar 27, 2026
Recipient is chosen by entire OHS Faculty based upon highest qualities in 1) scholarship 2) attitude and conduct 3) school involvement.
*Application through OHS
$500
Application Deadline:
Mar 27, 2026
Awarded to a graduating senior from OHS who plans to study engineering at a college or university in Washington State.
*Application through OHS
1,500
Application Deadline:
Mar 27, 2026
Awarded to a deserving young woman who has excelled in athletics, academics, and citizenship at OHS. Person who is kind and a great team member.
*Application through OHS
$1,000
Application Deadline:
Mar 27, 2026
Graduating Senior from OHS planning to pursue a post-secondary education at a trade or vocational school or a two-year or four-year college or university. A minimum 2.5 GPA is required, and the student must demonstrate participation in at least one sport and community service as well as financial need.
$1,000
Application Deadline:
Mar 27, 2026
Graduating senior from a high school in Mason County or Thurston County planning to pursue a degree in engineering, minimum GPA of 3.5 required.
$5,000
Application Deadline:
Mar 27, 2026
Graduating senior from a public High School in Lewis, Mason, or Thurston counties planning to pursue studies in the fields of science, technology, engineering or math at a four-year college or university. (Renewable)
$2,500
Application Deadline:
Mar 27, 2026
Graduating senior from a high school in Thurston County planning to pursue a business-related degree at a four-year college or university, with a minimum 3.5 GPA and demonstrated leadership and community service. Preference may be given based on financial need.
Please Contact Community Foundation with any questions.
Please contact us if you have any questions at 360.705.3340 or please email our staff.
Application Help & Technical Assistance
Students that need help with their application or need technical assistance are encouraged to contact Tami Mason Lathrop (she/her) at tami@thecommunityfoundation.com.
Assistance for Community Partners & School Administrators
Community Partners and School Administrators that need assistance are encouraged to contact Tami Mason Lathrop (she/her) at tami@thecommunityfoundation.com.
Scholarships
Questions?
Want to learn more about grants and scholarships from the Community Foundation? Get in touch with our friendly staff today!