HGSF Mission

What We Do: Grants for Greeley Grads

The Horace Greeley Scholarship Fund (HGSF) exists to make up "the difference" between the actual costs of college and all other financial resources available to students and their families (i.e. loans, scholarships, work-study, student savings and parent contributions). Many families in Chappaqua, NY have trouble affording all the costs of college and the HGSF gives Horace Greeley High School student's and alumni grants to cover any financial deficits families may have.

Now More Than Ever, We Need Your Help:

In 2009 and 2010, we experienced a marked increase in the number of grant applications received by the Horace Greeley Scholarship Fund. The number of grant applications was up 50% from 2008; unfortunately, our available grant money was down 17% in 2009 and 13% in 2010, since 2008, and we were unable to help all of those who qualified for assistance. Applicant's families often face challenging personal circumstances, such as loss of employment, divorce, or critical illness or death of a family member. The Horace Greeley Scholarship Fund helps send dozens of Greeley graduates to college each year. It is funded by you – caring neighbors and members of our community who want to make sure that every student is able to realize their dream of receiving a college diploma.

The Grants Committee:

Our Grants Committee thoroughly reviews each applicant's financial need and provides a grant based on the individual need. The Grants Committee is composed of three to five Board Directors of the Fund, a HGHS vice-principal, a guidance counselor and a Chappaqua Board of Education representative. All members of the HGSF Board of Directors are local residents and/or HGHS alumni.

Privacy Is Key:

All information provided to our Grants Committee is strictly confidential. Even our Board Members (other than the Grants Committee), are unaware of applicant's names, financial need or grant amounts. The HGSF takes protecting our applicant's privacy very seriously.

How Efficient Is The HGSF?

Over 92% of all donations go directly to Horace Greeley students or alumni to help with the costs of college or higher education.

HGSF and CSF – why you should consider contributing to both!

Our community is fortunate to have two active volunteer organizations that work hard to support education. They have different – and complementary – missions. But they are frequently viewed either interchangeably or without an understanding of their distinct purposes.

The Boards of both organizations encourage our entire community to support both organizations, and have placed this webpage on each organization’s website to help foster success for both.

Horace Greeley Scholarship Fund (HGSF) – awards financial needs-based grants for college to students who have a financial gap after all other loans, awards and family financial resources have been exhausted

Chappaqua School Foundation (CSF) – funds projects and programs for K-12 in all schools that will meaningfully enhance the education of Chappaqua students but that cannot be supported within the District budget

It would be fair to say that:

HGSF provides a safety net for Greeley graduates and their families, so that they can fulfill their college aspirations made possible by the excellence of their Chappaqua education, and that

CSF provides a safety net for innovation within the school system itself, an especially important role when the District budget faces so many challenges.

Both HGSF and CSF are 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations, run by volunteer Boards. Both incur minimal overhead expenses. Both raise funds through local events, mailings and personal solicitation.

To help ensure that Chappaqua students can attend the college of their choice, and to help ensure the excellence of education for all Chappaqua students, both HGSF and CSF are worthy causes for community philanthropy.

Testimonials:

"Without you, the Horace Greeley Scholarship Fund, I don't know what I would have done. I am GRATEFUL, and words will never tell you how much your contribution is doing for me."

"Your grant has made a difference in my life. My family is deeply GRATEFUL and I am determined to make our community proud."

"Thank you for the generous grant...I really feel the Horace Greeley community came through for me and my family."

"Please know that I will someday achieve my dreams. I will always look back and be GRATEFUL to the Horace Greeley Scholarship Fund forever."

· History of the Horace Greeley Scholarship Fund
· Information about Edwin D. Barlow, the fund's benefactor
· Frequently Asked Questions about the Fund