Collaboratory awards $1.2 million in scholarships

Area high school, college, graduate students and adult learners receive awards

Collaboratory just made many dreams come true.

This year it awarded 174 scholarships to students and adult learners from Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties. More than $1.2 million will pay for these students to advance their educational goals.

Yesenia Juarez Hernandez, 18, a graduate at Moore Haven Middle-High School received a $1,000 award from the Couse Gram Scholarship.

“I feel excited and overjoyed to receive a scholarship,” she said. “I didn’t expect it. It will help me fulfill my dreams of becoming an MRI technologist.”

Collaboratory is committed to making its scholarship application accessible to all students regardless of circumstances and abilities. Scholarships are based on a range of qualifications including community service, academics, fields of study, athletics, or even attendance a particular school.

“Education helps build smart and productive citizens,” said Dr. Harrison S. Knight, scholarship committee chair and member of the Collaboratory Board of Trustees. “It should not be a privilege, but a catalyst to make transformative change.”

More than 200 volunteers participate in the application process, which involves reviewing the entries.

“We have some amazing students in our local community,” Knight said. “Reviewers truly enjoy reading the students’ stories and gaining insight into the big dreams they hope to accomplish.”

This year, Collaboratory awarded 31 of the scholarships as multi-year awards that support the students beyond their freshman year.

Brittany Curley, a graduate of Cypress Lake High School, received The John M. & Mary A. Shanley Memorial Scholarship in 2023, a multi-year scholarship that continues to change her life. She is a sophomore at the University of Florida and is pursuing a degree in teaching.

“It didn’t just pay for tuition, it gave me a stable place to live, the freedom to dream, and the opportunity to self-explore and realize just what sort of impact I want to leave on this world,” she said. “I carry this opportunity with deep humility and immense gratitude. I know the value of a hand reached out, a door opened, and a heart that says, “I believe in you.” That’s what you’ve done for me. And now, I’m committed to doing the same – for every student I’ll one day meet.”

Collaboratory has seen a steady increase in scholarship applicants each year, underscoring the growing need for financial support toward training and education beyond high school in the region. This scholarship season, Collaboratory received 1,169 applications—a 13 percent increase from the previous year.

“Community partners are working together with local school districts to support their work and expand the awareness of scholarship opportunities and financial aid resources to students and families,” said Crystal Maldonado, scholarship coordinator at Collaboratory.

The need for scholarship funds to support students is rising. On average, approximately 10 percent of applicants were awarded a scholarship in the last two years. Collaboratory is committed to increasing both the number and value of scholarships awarded in the future.

The success and growth of the scholarship program has a direct impact on the area’s workforce. FutureMakers Coalition is a collective impact initiative working along the cradle-to-career pathway to create a skilled and sustainable workforce pipeline. The coalition, for which Collaboratory provides backbone support, aims to transform Southwest Florida’s workforce by increasing the proportion of working-age adults with college degrees, workforce certificates, industry certifications and other high-quality credentials to 55 percent by 2025.

If you are interested opening a scholarship fund or donating to the Scholarships General Fund, please contact Collaboratory at scholarships@collaboratory.org, call 239-274-5900, or visit https://collaboratory.org/donate.

ABOUT COLLABORATORY

Collaboratory is a regional community foundation with an evolved mission committed to coordinating the solving of Southwest Florida’s major social problems by 2040. Not alone, but with everyone—the entire community working together across all five counties: Lee, Hendry, Glades, Charlotte and Collier.

Collaboratory provides community leadership, raises and coordinates funding, and disburses funds to organizations that are helping solve the problems our donors and the community have identified as priorities. Collaboratory also provides capacity building with training and resources for regional partners. Given the complexities of the social challenges in our region, Collaboratory ensures we are all working together and that every generous donor achieves the biggest impact with their funds. By using and sharing data to track progress, we ensure that donor dollars are best invested to move the needle on improving social issues.

Connection and collaboration are at the heart of our mission. Since 1976, we have made over $130 million in grants to individuals and organizations across the region to enhance the quality of life for current and future generations. It is upon that legacy of a commitment to community we will collectively achieve our 2040 goal. To learn more and get involved, call 239-274-5900 or visit www.collaboratory.org.

PHOTO: Bonita Springs High School Senior Awards Night from left to right: Crystal Maldonado, Scholarship Coordinator, FutureMakers Coalition; Hector Nava, awarded the John M. & Mary A. Shanley Memorial Scholarship; Amy Kollcinaku, awarded the SWFL Inc.- Ralph A. Richardson Chamber Scholarship; Carson McManaway, awarded the Paul B. & Aline Flynn Scholarship; Xavier Casanova, awarded the John M. & Mary A. Shanley Memorial Scholarship and Richard S. & Marion L. Thompson Memorial Scholarship;  Mariana Mejicanos awarded the D & A Scholarship Fund.