Becky Hill (right), one of eight recipients of a 2023 WIT Scholarship, with her mentor Lisa Stilson (photo by Lois Haglund)
Judy White
At the October Javelina Hoedown, The Women of Quail Creek (TWOQC) Scholarship Committee gratefully announced a Matching Funds Campaign to raise scholarship funds. A generous group of donors has pledged $40,000 in matching funds. The first $20,000 in campaign donations will be matched 2 for 1 by that pledge. The Scholarship Committee is seeking donations of any amount to raise the funds needed for this match. A gift to this campaign is effectively tripled through the matching fund.
TWOQC Scholarship Program began in 2016 with funds sufficient for only one $1,000 scholarship. Since then, the program has grown steadily. To date, the program has awarded $142,500 to 68 local women, helping them realize their goal of further education.
The program currently awards scholarships of up to $2,500 to high school senior girls from Walden Grove, Sahuarita, and Rio Rico High Schools. Awards of up to $3,500 are also made to Women in Transition (WIT) applicants who are 21 years or older and seeking to return to complete their educations after having to postpone their educations previously.
Demonstrated need for tuition assistance is an important part of the consideration of applicants, as well as evidence of the ability and persistence needed to reach their goals. Scholarship funds are paid directly to the school each recipient is attending and may be used only for tuition and school fees.
Each year, the Scholarship Committee must raise funds to continue the program. The Javelina Hoedown is the annual fundraising event for the Scholarship Program. Memorial Scholarships have added to the number of scholarships available to be awarded in some years. In 2022, a multi-year fund was donated, which will produce one high school and one WIT scholarship each year for the next several years. Each year, however, there is a need for funds in addition to those sources.
Funds from the Matching Funds Campaign will be used for scholarship awards in Spring 2024. It is hoped that the success of this Matching Fund Campaign will also provide sufficient additional funds to be invested, building a funding base for future years.
As of press time, the campaign had received $7,800 toward the $20,000 match. The Scholarship Committee’s goal is to meet the match by January.
TWOQC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, making your gift tax deductible. To contribute to the Matching Fund, checks should be made out to TWOQC with “Matching Funds Gift” in the memo. Include donor name, email, and postal address (to receive a receipt for tax records). Address the envelope to Scholarship Matching Funds Campaign, c/o Linda Hauschild, 1932 E. Orinda Lane, Green Valley, AZ, 85614.
You can also minimize tax liability by having gifts sent directly to TWOQC as part of an annual Required Minimum Distribution from retirement funds. Check with your financial advisor. Be sure the company sending the check indicates your name as the donor.
For questions about the matching campaign or the scholarship program, contact Deb Melton, scholarship chair at [email protected].