Dorothy K. Witte Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund Grant

Dorothy K. Witte Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley
Last Updated: January 19, 2026

Summary

Easily learn more about the Dorothy K. The next deadline for this grant is Wed, 20 Jan 2027.

Overview

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a collection of individual funds and resources given by local citizens to enhance and support the quality of life in the Fox River Valley of Illinois. We are a tax-exempt public charity that allows individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations to establish permanent endowments and temporary funds within the confines of one large foundation. Foundation funds are used to provide grants to non-profit organizations and scholarships to area students. The Foundation also hosts a Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP) program, which helps high school students learn more about philanthropy and empowers them to make a difference in the community. The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley serves the City of Aurora, Kane County, and Kendall County within the State of Illinois. Scholarship Program Scholarships are available to local students who will attend an accredited post-secondary institution within the United States of America on a full-time basis. Dorothy K. Witte Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund This Fund honors the memory of Dorothy K. Witte (1912-2008) who taught in East Aurora School District elementary schools for the bulk of her career. She had previously taught briefly in several Lutheran schools prior to having her three children, Elizabeth, Jonathan, and Robert who all graduated from East Aurora High School. After her husband Paul’s death at age 46, she began teaching in the East Aurora School District 131, at Brady Elementary, to support her young family. Her career in education became her life’s passion which spanned 25 years (1958-1982). Dorothy’s dedication to helping students who had behavioral and learning difficulties led her to be the “go to” teacher for working with students with educational challenges. Often her students were the only English speakers in their home, so she took Spanish lessons to be able to communicate more effectively with the parents of her students. She occasionally made home visits when families felt uncomfortable attending school conferences. Her dining room table at home was often cluttered with lesson plans, teaching supplies, and papers to grade. She was known to stay in her classroom until well after dark working to prepare for class the next day. Her daughter Beth (1940-2011) followed her mother into a career in teaching/education. Her sons Jon and Bob initially studied to be teachers, but eventually went into the medical field as physicians. They now establish this scholarship to honor their mother and the teaching profession which has been a consistent thread through their family. The funds awarded are intended for a recipient who seeks to pursue a career as a public school educator, helping those who most need the expertise of a skilled and caring teacher.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Applicants must complete their high school education during, at the conclusion of, or prior to the current academic year as follows. High School Diploma from a public, private, parochial, or online schoolHome-Schooled High School EducationGeneral Educational Development (GED) certificate or state certificate Applicants must attend an accredited post-secondary institution within the United States of America during the upcoming academic year.Applicants must pursue studies on a full-time basis during the upcoming academic year. Applicants must maintain a permanent address located within the Community Foundation Scholarship Program service area.A permanent address is usually a parent’s home or the address listed on a driver’s license, voters registration card, FAFSA, etc. It is most likely NOT a temporary on/off college campus address. The Community Foundation Scholarship Program service area includes the following areas within the State of Illinois (Scholarship elibility is limited to students who reside within the following areas within the State of Illinois): DeKalb County; DuPage County; Grundy County; Kane County; Kendall County; LaSalle County; Will County.