The Whinfrey Scholarship for the Visually Impaired Endowment Fund Grant

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.
The Whinfrey Scholarship for the Visually Impaired Endowment Fund
The Whinfrey Scholarship for the Visually Impaired Endowment Fund was created to give back to the Aurora community where the Whinfrey siblings grew up and attended school. The fund represents their appreciation for the teachers, administrators, and families who taught them integrity, humility, and generosity. The fund was endowed in 2024.
The family understands first-hand the need to advocate and create accommodations for students experiencing blindness. Scholarships such as this are one way to create equal opportunities for people with disabilities.
The monetary value of each scholarship award varies depending upon the amount available in each individual scholarship fund. The most common scholarship award amount is $1,000 for a single year. Scholarships are designated as non-renewable one-year awards or renewable multi-year awards depending upon the scholarship fund criteria, as established by the donor of the scholarship fund.

Eligibility

Eligible students must be graduating seniors or actively enrolled undergraduate or graduate students. Students must also be diagnosed as legally blind.Applicants must pursue studies (career/technical/vocational, undergraduate, graduate, etc.) 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 few exceptions apply).DekalbDuPageLaSalleKaneKendallGrundyWill