Turtle Trackers - Linda Zambelli Family Scholarship Fund Grant

The Turtle Trackers - Linda Zambelli Family Scholarship Fund, established in 2025 by the Turtle Trackers Board, honors Linda Zambelli's legacy through scholarships for students pursuing higher education in Marine Biology and Environmental Sciences. This initiative supports high school seniors from Beaufort and Jasper Counties, ensuring they have opportunities to excel academically while fostering a commitment to marine conservation. The fund is managed by the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, which has invested over $125 million in local communities.

Community Foundation of the Lowcountry
In 1994, a group of visionary Lowcountry community leaders recognized the need to create a community foundation. Through the sale of the nonprofit Hilton Head Hospital, Hilton Head Island Foundation, Inc. was born, with a mission to provide philanthropic leadership to a growing community. In 2001, our service area expanded to include northern Beaufort County, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper Counties.
With more than $125 million invested in the Lowcountry area since 1994, Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is the largest source of unrestricted philanthropic resources dedicated to Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper Counties. We provide donors and nonprofits the steadfast philanthropic leadership to transform, empower and enhance the communities we serve.
Mission: Strengthening community by connecting people, resources, and needs.
Purpose: Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is dedicated to helping donors, nonprofit organizations and other community members make a difference in the lives of Lowcountry citizens. Our positive impact is achieved by bringing together financial resources, knowledge and collaborative networks to serve community needs.
The Turtle Trackers - Linda Zambelli Family Scholarship Fund was generously established in 2025 by members of the Turtle Trackers Board of Directors. The scholarship honors the life and legacy of Linda Zambelli, in recognition of her leadership, volunteerism, and dedication to the Turtle Trackers. The purpose and focus of this scholarship fund is to provide scholarship support for qualified students pursuing a post-secondary education in the field of Marine Biology, Environmental Sciences or a related area.

Eligibility

Applicant must be a high school senior graduating from a public or private high school within the Turtle Trackers service area, in Beaufort County or Jasper County in South Carolina.Applicant must be a U.S. citizen and legal resident of Beaufort County or Jasper County.Applicant must show evidence they have been accepted and are planning to attend an accredited college or university.Applicant must show evidence of outstanding academic and personal achievements.Applicant must plan to pursue a 2- or 4-year degree program in the areas of Environmental Sciences, STEM, Education or Marine Biology. Applicant must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale, or the equivalent on an alternate scale, and should have a score equivalent to or better than the state average on tests designed to measure aptitude for college (e.g., SAT, ACT).