Community Foundation of Orange, Sullivan and Rockland to Award More Than $700,000

The Community Foundation of Orange, Sullivan and Rockland will distribute more than $700,000 across roughly 175 scholarships this spring to high school seniors and adults returning to college from Orange, Sullivan and Rockland counties. Applicants from nearly 40 school districts in the three-county region can apply through the foundation’s online portal; the application window closes April 10.

A single online application will match applicants with scholarships for which they qualify and notify them of any additional requirements. The streamlined process is intended to lower administrative barriers for applicants juggling school, work, and family responsibilities. For program questions or help with the application, contact Lisa Mitchell, CFOSR Programs and Donor Services Coordinator, at 845-769-9393.

Elizabeth Rowley, president and chief executive officer of the Community Foundation of Orange, Sullivan and Rockland, framed the awards as a community investment in opportunity. “Thanks to the generosity of our amazing donors, the Foundation continues to provide a diverse array of scholarships each year, profoundly impacting the lives of local students and their families,” Rowley said. “As the expenses associated with higher education continue to rise, we are honored to play a small role in empowering students to pursue their aspirations for higher education, vocational training, and enrichment.”

The awards target a wide spectrum of educational paths, from four-year degrees to vocational and enrichment programs, reflecting local needs for both college-trained professionals and skilled tradespeople. That breadth matters for public health and social equity: increased access to higher education can strengthen economic stability, expand the local health care workforce, and reduce barriers faced by adults returning to school after years in the workforce.

Regional peers running similar single-application scholarship systems report comparable scales of support. The Arlington Community Foundation awards nearly $700,000 in college scholarships annually and reported $654,000 in new scholarships in 2025. The Quad Cities Community Foundation makes more than $700,000 available each year and celebrates recipients at a May reception where student speakers describe the awards’ impact. One such speaker, Landen Freeman, reflected on what community support means for students: “Students, no matter their age or direction, are asking very deep questions of themselves, and sometimes that can lead to doubt and even fear,” and “I want to let them know they aren’t alone, and I want to thank the community for supporting students when we need it most. These awards help students keep going, even when it’s tough.” SouthCoast Community Foundation and Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation likewise run large annual scholarship cycles, illustrating a wider trend of community foundations underwriting postsecondary access.

For Orange, Sullivan and Rockland residents, the immediate step is practical: complete the single online application by April 10 and contact Lisa Mitchell at 845-769-9393 with questions. In the months ahead, scholarship recipients will offer the clearest measure of impact on families, local workforce pipelines, and the neighborhood recovery and resilience that stems from greater educational opportunity.