Dream Builder Scholarship Fund (USS Indianapolis & Hunter Scott)
Funding Amount
$1,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Grant Type
Foundation
Deadline history & next window
- Cycle
- Annual
- Tracked since
- April 2026
Source: the cycle recorded on this listing. Confirm dates with the funder.
Can we apply?
Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.
Other requirements
- Pensacola, Florida area
Overview
Purpose and Background
The Dream Builder Scholarship Fund honors the USS Indianapolis and Hunter Scott. The fund was established with a $25,000 gift from the Goodall Family Charitable Foundation to honor the legacy of:
- Lt. Wilbur Charles "Chuck" Gwinn - Navy pilot who discovered survivors from the USS Indianapolis
- Hunter Scott - When he was in 6th grade in Pensacola, he heard about the USS Indianapolis in the movie JAWS and conducted a National History Day project on the event. His work led to a United States Congressional Investigation and the exoneration of Captain Charles Butler McVay, III in 2000.
Historical Context
The USS Indianapolis was sunk by the Japanese, killing an estimated 300 of 1,197 men aboard. Nearly 900 survivors floated in the Philippine Sea without lifeboats. Only 317 men survived after a rescue effort. The story encompasses themes of heroism, loyalty, brotherhood, service to country, and survival against all odds.
Current Status
- Presently offers one (1) $1,000 scholarship
- Part of the program at Pensacola High School in conjunction with the IB Program
- As the fund grows, CFNWF can offer more scholarships
Contact Information
For donations to this fund:
- Email: Cathy Laird, claird@cfnwf.org
- Mail: CFNWF, 17 W. Cedar St. Ste. 2, Pensacola, FL 32502
Additional Resources
- In Harm's Way: The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Tale of its' Survivors by Doug Stanton
- Left for Dead: A Young Man's Search for Justice for the USS Indianapolis by Pete Nelson (with preface by Hunter Scott)
What Community Foundation of Northwest Florida Inc actually gave
Source: IRS Form 990, 2024
- Grants in 2024
- 16
- Total given
- $232K
- Median grant
- $9,569
- Range
- $5,250–$35K
- By dollars: Florida 59%, Alabama 13%, North Carolina 9%. Top recipient cities: Pensacola, FL; Tuscaloosa, AL; Boone, NC.
- 0% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
- 38% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.
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