About
Our History
In 1983, a small group of concerned citizens from the town of Walpole established the Walpole Scholarship Foundation (WSF) for the purpose of providing financial assistance to deserving Walpole students who wish to continue their education beyond high school. Fueled by their vision, a community-driven effort began to assist and encourage residents of Walpole to obtain post-high school cultural, vocational or professional education. The founding members of this organization include Kenneth Arthur, Lester Burch, Patricia Foley, Mark Hoffman, Elizabeth Lee, James Manninen, and Edward Turley.
In 1984, six scholarships were awarded to six students. In 2017, 120 students received funds totaling $200,000. To date, the Foundation has awarded over 2,800 scholarships totaling over $3,600,000. The Foundation is overseen by an all-volunteer, Board of Trustees whose job is to raise funds and disperse the scholarships.
Fundraising
The WSF’s ability to award this many scholarships is realized by the continual fundraising and receipt of gifts from individuals, businesses, and organizations. The donated funds are invested and the income derived is used to fund awarding of scholarship monies. One of the foundation’s major fundraising activities is the Cornhole4College tournament presented by the Walpole Co-op Bank.
Contributions
Contributions may qualify the donor to establish a scholarship in the name of their choosing. Alternatively, monies can be donated to the general fund or to a specific, already named scholarship.
- A contribution of $1,000 will qualify the benefactor for a named scholarship for one year.
- A one-time contribution of $4,000 or more or an accumulated contribution of the same will qualify for a permanent scholarship in the benefactor's name.
- Memorial scholarships often are established to honor deceased family members, friends, or co-workers.
Individuals may also remember the foundation in their estate planning strategies. Information on establishing or donating to any of the scholarship funds may be obtained by contacting us at the Walpole Scholarship Foundation.
Applying for a Scholarship
Any Walpole resident applying to or currently attending a post-high school institution that offers an advanced course of study may apply for a scholarship. This includes four-year bachelor's degree programs, associate degree programs, and technical certificate programs. Students applying for or in graduate school are not eligible.
Financial need, academic merit, extracurricular activities (including community service and work experience) and personal qualities are all considerations in awarding scholarships. The selection of the winners is overseen by the Board of Trustees but is determined by an independent ad-hoc group of community members representing all geographical sections of Walpole.
Applications are available in mid-December of each year and can be obtained directly from the Foundation’s web site. The deadline for applications is the middle of February. Decisions and notifications are made by the beginning of June of each year and the checks are awarded in December of each year.
Officers
BJ Burke, President
Michael McGrath, President Elect
Jeanean Davis-Street, Treasurer
Thomas Nanicelli, Assistant Treasurer
Joanne Flaherty Mailhot, Secretary
Candy Conradi, Financial Secretary
Trustees
Susan Akeley
Georgia Beliveau
Jessica Cox
Mario Corso
Jim Delaney
Christopher Della Valle
Jeff Deleo
Andrew Flowers
Pat Hinton
Denise Lynch
Ann Walsh
Honorary Trustees
*Kenneth Arthur
*Lester Burch
*Patricia Foley
*Mark Hoffman
*Elizabeth Lee
*James Manninen
*Edward Turley
*Founder