Scholarship Information

About the Scholarship

In accordance with our mission to promote and support education, the Eastman Charitable Foundation (ECF) Board of Trustees instituted an annual Scholarship Program in 2013. The scholarship was named The Shawn Phelps Eastman Charitable Foundation Scholarship in 2023. ECF President Shawn Phelps tirelessly led the organization and oversaw exponential growth for over a decade.

The scholarships are open to students living in Grantham, Enfield and Springfield who meet the criteria, as listed below. The program is funded through donations received by the ECF during its annual fund-raising campaign. Through the generosity of our donors, ECF has been able to fund our annual scholarships every year. The dollar amount may vary from year to year depending on available funds. For 2024, we will award up to three $2000 scholarships.

Who Should Apply

Graduating high school seniors living in Grantham, Enfield, Springfield – including students living full time or part time in the Eastman Community – who will be attending an accredited 2-year technical school or community college, or a 4-year college/university in the Fall of 2024.

The candidates must also meet the following criteria:

• Demonstrate an active interest in environmental responsibility through course work and/or volunteering in the community
• Demonstrate a commitment to academic excellence
• Demonstrate leadership ability
• Plan to study Environmental Science, Sustainability or a related field in a post-secondary school setting

To Apply

Each February, we inform high school guidance counselors of the scholarships, how to access an application, and information about applying. The program is also widely promoted through print and electronic media – providing links to our website and our on-line scholarship application form. The ECF Scholarship Committee reviews all information received from eligible candidates with an objective tool that is used to score applications. Applicant names are known only to the Trustees serving on the Scholarship Committee. The successful candidates are contacted by the ECF Scholarship Chair in mid-April. All other applicants receive a letter of receipt from the Committee.

The scholarship is generally presented during the high school’s Awards Night, or it may be mailed to the recipient, if appropriate. Any changes in policies or procedures will be included on the cover page of each annual scholarship application. The ECF may request that the recipient(s) attend a community event to share accomplishments and aspirations. The ECF Scholarship Committee supports this practice as an opportunity to demonstrate youth leadership, academic excellence and role modeling for other youth living in the community. It is also an opportunity for the Foundation to thank those who have supported us, and inform those who may wish to include the Foundation in their charitable giving plans.

Scholarship Program Timeline:

Thank you for your interest in the Eastman Charitable Foundation Scholarship Program. The Trustees invite you to visit other links included on our Home Page to learn more about grants, projects and donations.