First Covenant Church in Jamestown is pictured.

Since 1972, First Covenant Church has administered four scholarship funds in support of members and families of their congregation.

This included having a scholarship selection process, including a volunteer committee to oversee selections.

“Well over 100 recipients have received generous support for their studies in higher education,” said Lane Hagberg, First Covenant Church member. “We have enjoyed doing this but felt it was time to look for a partner to assist us.”

In 2021, representatives from First Covenant Church contacted the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation to learn about its scholarship process and approach to managing endowments. These conversations led the church to transition the First Covenant Church Scholarship Fund, Marian Swan Sandberg Scholarship Fund, Mildred A. Carlson Scholarship Fund, and North Park University and Theological Seminary Scholarship Fund, which is also open to Zion Covenant members and their families, to the foundation. Those scholarships will now be awarded through the foundation’s General Online Scholarship Application.

“Administering endowed scholarships is not an easy task,” said Lisa Lynde, Chautauqua Region Community Foundation donor services officer. “The Committee at First Covenant Church has done an incredible service for a very long time. This transition maintains the impact and reduces the strain on volunteers.”

Transferring the funds to the foundation means donors have easier access to make gifts to them.

“We find that past recipients may search for a specific, named fund and donate to it as a way to pay it forward,” Lynde said. “These funds may have increased visibility as part of our online site where they are eligible to receive gifts.”

To contribute to any of the funds named above, visit crcfonline.org/give, or mail a check to Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, 418 Spring St., Jamestown, NY 14701.

The Chautauqua Region Community Foundation administers over 700 endowments in support of emerging community needs, charitable organizations and local students pursuing higher education. For more information visit www.crcfonline.org or contact Lisa Lynde, donor services officer at 716-661-3390 or email llynde@crcfonline.org.