Scholarship Foundation
Mission:
To build the corpus of the foundation to a level that will provide scholarships for students excelling in community service without the need of contributions from the Rotary Auction.
The Rotary Club of Bainbridge Island awarded its first scholarship in 1957 (for $250) to islander Frank Kitamoto. Since then, hundreds of additional island high school graduates have received financial assistance to colleges, universities, and vocational schools, worldwide. These scholarships have traditionally been funded from our annual Rotary Auction income; individual awards have ranged from that first $250 to, more recently, as much as $7,000.
In 2004, Rotarians decided to expand the availability of scholarships by creating an independent 501(c)3 fund (the Scholarship Foundation) to accept tax deductible donations from the community. As public donations build the fund’s principal, the number and size of scholarships available will likewise increase.
Scholarships Offered
In 2024, the Rotary Club of Bainbridge Island awarded eleven scholarships to graduating seniors: the eight Community Service Scholarships, two Murdock Construction and Engineering Scholarships and one vocational scholarship that will go to a nursing student.
The Community Service Scholarship is for students who demonstrate exemplary commitment to, and leadership in, community service. Read more >>
The Vocational Scholarship is for students pursuing a career in a specific trade or skill that requires training in a setting other than a 4 year college.
The Murdock Construction and Engineering Scholarship is for students who demonstrate a commitment to pursuing a career related to the building trades, architecture, and engineering. Read more >>
To see a list of past recipients, visit Scholarship History.
Board of Directors
- Tom Lindsley, President
- Christy Givans, Secretary
- Jim Laws, Treasurer
- Charlie Averill, Director
- Cindy McGregor, Director
- John Stephens, Director
- Todd Tinker, Director
Donate
If you would like to make a contribution toward youth scholarships through the Rotary Club of Bainbridge Island Scholarship Foundation, you may do so via the One Call for All (OCFA) red envelope campaign. (A gift through OCFA qualifies it for a matching contribution.)
Seniors who have a Rotarian parent are not eligible for RCBI Scholarships. For these students, other ways to honor “Service Above Self” may be available such as the Paul Harris pin. Informal nominations can be submitted directly to the club’s Foundation Committee and can come from a variety of sources.