Poarch Creek Indians Establish $1 Million Scholarship Fund

July 8, 2015

The Poarch Band of Creek Indians has approved the creation of a $1 million scholarship fund to benefit high school graduates in Alabama and parts of the Florida Panhandle.

On Tuesday, PCI made an initial $250,000 contribution to The Community Foundation of South Alabama to establish The Poarch Creek Indian Community Scholarship Fund and committed an additional $750,000 for 2016. This Fund will award two scholarships annually to one male and one female residing in Alabama or select Florida counties  — Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Washington and Gadsden.

Scholarship recipients will be selected and awarded by The Community Foundation of South Alabama on an annual basis. As an endowed fund, all contributions will be pooled with the Foundation’s assets and invested, causing the fund to grow over time. As the fund grows, the amount of the award will fluctuate. In the first year, the selected students are expected to receive up to $6,000 each.

“We are so proud to make this contribution, and to partner with The Community Foundation of South Alabama. Education is the catalyst that can help individuals attain their career goals, and we are honored to help them reach for these goals that may have otherwise been unattainable,” said Stephanie A. Bryan, Tribal Chair/CEO, Poarch Band of Creek Indians.

“The Poarch tribe is once again supporting the community of southwest Alabama in a way that will give back to younger generations alive today and yet to come,” said Rebecca Byrne, President and CEO of The Community Foundation of South Alabama. “Through this gift, the tribe recognizes and enables education as the most important way people can lift themselves up and in so doing lift up the whole community.”

The Poarch Band of Creek Indians is no stranger to philanthropy, providing funding for a wide variety of community services and projects in the region. The Foundation is thrilled for the opportunity to partner with such a unique entity to advance the quality of life for all in our region both now and in the future, the group said in a press release.
Scholarships will be awarded beginning in 2016.

Comments

3 Responses to “Poarch Creek Indians Establish $1 Million Scholarship Fund”

  1. Another Molino resident on July 9th, 2015 9:10 pm

    I think it’s wonderful that the Porch Indians are doing this for the highschool students who are awarded these scholarships. Thanks so very much Porch Indian Tribe!!

  2. Molino, FL resident on July 8th, 2015 7:06 am

    This is wonderful news for many high schoolers needing extra help with their college expenses.

  3. JOHN D. BODIE on July 8th, 2015 6:22 am

    This is great, Them folks do a lot for others, Lets keep them, lol…Thanks Porch….

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News