Charles B. Decker Memorial Scholarship Grant

The Charles B. Decker Memorial Scholarship, established in 1991, supports college and graduate students from the Tri-Lakes area pursuing journalism careers. This scholarship emphasizes the importance of education in the Adirondack region by providing essential financial assistance to students dedicated to journalism. Candidates are evaluated based on financial need, demonstrated commitment to journalism, and academic achievements, ensuring that the scholarship aligns with the foundation's mission to invest in educational opportunities.

Scholarships
As one of five key interest areas for what we fund, creating educational pathways helps to ensure all students in the Adirondacks have meaningful opportunities to pursue post-secondary education, career training, and pathways to gainful employment and fulfilling lives. Scholarships can play a pivotal role in helping students better themselves, no matter their life stage or path.
Scholarship funds at Adirondack Community Foundation have been created to benefit specific educational institutions or fields of study. The most common way we distribute scholarships is in partnership with schools across our region that manage scholarship committees that select recipients based on guidelines set forth by fundholders. We also have some scholarship funds to which students can apply directly for support. All scholarship funds use a competitive application process to make decisions.
The Charles B. Decker Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in 1991 upon the death Charles B. Decker, 34, an enthusiastic journalist from Saranac Lake, then an Assistant Managing Editor of the Watertown Daily Times. Learn more about Charles here. The fund provides financial assistance to college and graduate students from the Tri-Lakes area who are attending a college or university full time to pursue a career in journalism (including print, broadcast, photo or multimedia).

Eligibility

Selection of grantees will be made weighing these basic criteria:
Need, to a degree, suggesting that the intended education, project, or internship cannot be undertaken without financial assistanceA tangible demonstration of dedication to journalism; such as special journalism courses, articles, internships or special assignment opportunities for working journalistsA history of school grades and other previous accomplishments, which demonstrate the candidate’s ability to handle college or graduate work or to carry out the project outlinedApplicant has submitted all proper documents on time, to the satisfaction of the committee