Central Carolina Community Foundation, the Midland’s local center for philanthropy, has awarded over $450,000 in scholarships to 196 of South Carolina’s and the country’s outstanding students for the 2019-2020 school year.  This is the largest amount awarded since the Foundation’s founding in 1984.

Since 1998, the Foundation has awarded more than $3 million in scholarships to help deserving students obtain a higher education. The awards range from $400 to covering the full cost of tuition. The Community Foundation manages 44 scholarship funds, each with its own specific purpose and eligibility criteria based on the donor’s recommendations. Many of the funds have been established as testaments to the donor’s passion for education or to honor the legacy of a loved one.

For example, the Seth Muennich Scholarship was established by the Muennich Family after their young son passed away in a tragic accident. The Muennich’s established Seth’s Giving Tree,  a scholarship program that promotes and encourages the youth of Lancaster County to lead lives filled with the values of faith, hope, respect, integrity, and generosity— all characteristics Seth demonstrated.

“For our family, this scholarship means the good in Seth is living on in others,” states Lisa Muennich, mother to Seth and executive director of Seth’s Giving Tree. “For our community, the scholarship brings awareness to wonderful young people and how they have already given back to their home town. Our hope is that one day they will come back to our community as our leaders, board members, and servants in Christ.”

The Seth Muennich Scholarship has awarded $27,000 to 20 students since 2015. The scholarship is awarded to high school seniors in Lancaster County that demonstrate a strong leadership ability, solid academic performance, and a true passion to serve.

“Our scholarship funds are one of the many ways that donors in our community work with the Foundation to make a difference in the Midlands and beyond,” said Foundation president and CEO JoAnn Turnquist. “Through the generosity of our donors, students are given the opportunity to achieve their academic goals without the financial burden that often accompanies a college education.  We congratulate each of our scholarship recipients and wish them well as they continue to learn and grow.”

Central Carolina Community Foundation will begin accepting online applications for the 2020-2021 school year in January 2020.  For more information about applying for scholarships or establishing a scholarship fund at the Foundation, please visit www.yourfoundation.org or call 803.254.5601.