Programs
The Lawrence Schools Foundation provides resources that inspire learning, enrich teaching and enhance opportunities for all students, educators, and staff in Lawrence Public Schools.
Whatever your WHY, when you donate to the Lawrence Schools Foundation, you support and enhance public education in Lawrence. We take pride in being a lot of things to a lot of people and we hope you will help us by donating to support your WHY!
Did you know?
A Community of Support For Our Students and Our Schools
The Lawrence Schools Foundation is committed to providing financial support for the students and teachers of Lawrence Public Schools.
Call For Inquiry
(785) 330-1941
Mail For Inquiry
jsinclai.usd497.org
01. Grants
02. Scholarships
03. Awards
04. Special Funds
Programs
Grants
The Lawrence Schools Foundation now offers spring and fall grant application cycles each year. The deadline to apply for Foundation grants is
February 1st & September 1st
McCown Gordon, LLC Teacher Grant
Helps teachers expose students to construction, engineering, or architecture, with a primary focus on the number of students impacted.
The deadline to apply for Foundation grants will be on February 1 and September 1 by 5:00 PM.
Innovative Teaching Grants
Helps educators or groups of educators to implement innovative, unique student projects that enrich learning, critical thinking, and problem solving skills; and result in increased achievement.
The deadline to apply for Foundation grants will be on February 1 and September 1 by 5:00 PM.
Carl Knox Staff Development Grant
Funds professional development experiences, such as summer institutes, action research, mentoring experience, or lesson study.
The deadline to apply for Foundation grants will be on February 1 and September 1 by 5:00 PM
Music Endowment Grants
Provide music educators funds to enhance access to, enrich the quality of, and expand the educational experiences of their students.
The deadline to apply for Foundation grants will be on February 1 and September 1 by 5:00 PM.
Professional Development & Learning Grant
This Professional Development Grant was established through the Lawrence Schools Foundation, to provide professional learning opportunities and summer professional learning compensation to facilitate responses content area learning standards, for Lawrence Public Schools educators of grades 9-12.
The deadline to apply for Foundation grants will be on April 30 by 5:00 PM
School Assistance Grants
Building administrators are encouraged to apply for a grant to fund a purchase, project or program for which state or federal funds are not available.
The deadline to apply for Foundation grants will be on February 1 and September 1 by 5:00 PM
Scholarships
All local Scholarship Applications are due by Wednesday, February 15th, 2023.
Students need to apply through their respective schools application process.
Lawrence High School Students: https://www.usd497.org/Page/6764
Free State High School Students: https://www.usd497.org/Page/7015
Aimee E. Ziegler Memorial
Description: In memory of Aimee E. Ziegler, who was a counselor at LFSHS. She was well known in Lawrence for her involvement in creating the WRAP program and her numerous coaching positions at Free State.
Applicants must have average or above average GPA (minimum 2.5), but not for highest achievers. Must show solid effort toward academics and demonstrate financial need.
Number of Scholarships: 1
Award Amount: $1,500
Type of Criteria: Need, 2.5 GPA
Application Form: None. Must be nominated by School Counselor or Social Worker
Al and Leona Deiser Memorial
Applicants must have graduated from Billy Mills Middle School (South Middle School) and are pursuing a career in a skilled trade. Must have a minimum 2.5 GPA and demonstrate financial need. Applicants must have been involved in school activities and plans to attend any 4-year college/university or 2-year junior college/vocational and/or technical school.
Number of Scholarships: 1
Award Amount: $1,000
Application Form: LHS General Application
Arthur "Mike" Browning Memorial
Applicants must be involved in school activities and/or athletics. Applicants must have been involved in community activities and plans to attend any four-year college/university or two-year junior college/vocational and/or technical school. Applicants must demonstrate financial need.
Number of Scholarships: 1
Award Amount: $1,000
Application Form: LHS General Application
Barbara Burnett Scholarship
Applicants must be interested in pursuing a career in the health-related or medical field, with priority given to someone interested in becoming a dietician or nurse. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5.
Number of Scholarships: 1
Award Amount: $500
Application Form: LHS General Application
Betty Dobbins Fine Arts Scholarship
Applicants must plan to study in the field of Performing or Visual Arts and be involved in school activities such as Performing or Visual Arts. Applicant must be active in classes, camps or workshops for Performing or Visual Arts and demonstrate financial need.
Number of Scholarships: 1
Award Amount: $500
Application Form: LHS General Application
Bob and Pauline Johnson Scholarship
Applicants must have an IEP based on academic challenges. Applicants must have a minimum 2.0 GPA and plan to attend a two-year college, vocational or technical school, or a four-year college.
Number of Scholarships: 1
Award Amount: $1,000
Application Form: LHS General Application
Carol J.C. Church Scholarship
Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 and be a graduate of Billy Mills Middle School (South Middle School). Applicants must plan to major in Education at a 4-year or 2-year college or university and demonstrate financial need.
Number of Scholarships: 1
Award Amount: $500
Application Form: LHS General Application
Chantel Anderson Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship was established by the Anderson’s in memory of their daughter, Chantal, a former LHS student and graduate of KU who enjoyed athletics, music and art. Applicants must have a minimum 2.5 GPA and plan on attending a 4 year Kansas college or university and major in a health related field, including, but not limited to nursing, physical education, and pre-med. Applicants must demonstrate financial need.
Number of Scholarships: 2 (1 per each high school)
Award Amount: $500
Application Form: LHS / FSHS General Application
Coach Kermit D. Aldridge Scholarship
Applicants must be majoring in education. Applicants must plan to attend the University of Kansas
Number of Scholarships: 1
Award Amount: $500
Application Form: LHS General Application
David "Doc" Johnson Scholarship
Applicants have a minimum GPA of 2.0, demonstrate leadership qualities, and plan to attend a 4-year college/university or a 2-year college/junior college, vocational and/or technical school. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and be involved in school, athletics and community activities.
Number of Scholarships: 2
Award Amount: $500
Application Form: LHS General Application
Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary #309 Scholarship
Applicants must be a female student with a minimum grade-point average of 2.5, involvement in community activities and/or volunteering and plan to attend any four-year college/university or two-year college/school (junior college, vocational and/or technical school)
Number of Scholarships: 1
Award Amount: $500
Application Form: LHS / FSHS General Application
Geoffrey Tyler Gaston Music Scholarship:
Applicant must have a minimum 3.0 GPA, must demonstrate financial need and have focused on college preparatory classes.
Number of Scholarships: 1 Award Amount: $1,000
Criteria: Merit and Need
Application Form: FSHS General Application
Gerald M. "Jerry" Vogel Scholarship
Applicants must have a disability and plan on attending any college
Number of Scholarships: 1
Award Amount: $1,000
Application Form: LHS General Application
Bill and Gunna Zimmerman "Motivational Award"
Applicants must have a GPA between 1.5 and 2.75 with interest in studying English, art or music at an accredited institution or the military. Applicants must attach a nomination letter from an English, art, or music teacher, or by an administrator or counselor.
Additional Requirements: Applicants must attach a nomination letter.
Number of Scholarships: 1
Award Amount: $1,000
Application Form: LHS General Application
Bill and Kay Naughton Wrestling Scholarship
Applicants must be a member of the LHS wrestling team and demonstrate financial need. Applicants must be involved in school and community activities. This scholarship can be used at any post-secondary education institution.
Number of Scholarships: 1
Award Amount: $500
Application Form: LHS General Application
Carl Mibeck Scholarship
Applicant must identify as a LGBTQ senior with a minimum GPA of 2.5 and plan to attend a 4-year college or university.
Number of Scholarships: 1
Award Amount: $2,500
Application Form: LHS General Application
Central Bank of the Midwest Scholarship
Applicants must intend to pursue a degree in Business or Finance and be able to demonstrate financial need. Applicants must plan to attend a 4-year Kansas college/university or a 2-year college/junior college/or technical school.
Number of Scholarships: 2 (1 per each high school)
Award Amount: $500
Application Form: LHS / FSHS General Application
Chestnut Stem Scholarship
Description: Applicant must plan to major in one of the STEM fields: Science, Technology, Engineering, Math. Minimum GPA of 3.5, taken advanced/AP courses, involved in school activities, plan to attend four-year college/university. Applicants must demonstrate financial need.
Additional Requirements: Submit answers to questions located on separate page
Number of Scholarships: 1
Award Amount: $1,000 per year for 4 years
Criteria: Open to graduates meeting the above criteria
Application Form: FSHS General Application
Dale Shillington Memorial Scholarship:
Dale(FSHS class of 2009) was a student who preferred the back row of the classroom and could frequently be caught sleeping during first hour. Dale never met a stranger. His personality was larger than life and his smile was the biggest you ever saw. He was a natural born leader that people gravitated towards. Dale lived by the motto of “go big or go home”. He was a member of the varsity soccer team his sophomore through senior year. Senior year he was team captain and was selected to the All-State soccer team. His picture still hangs just down the hall, outside of the gym. He was also a member of the varsity golf team all 4 years of high school, qualifying for state his senior year. 13 years ago Dale stood on this very stage and accepted a full ride scholarship from the United States Air Force. After four years and a lot of work, Dale graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. In his last semester Dale was informed he had been selected to receive a coveted pilot training slot that he had worked so hard for. In his short time as an instructor pilot, Dale won many awards for being the best instructor pilot and was someone every student respected and enjoyed flying with. Dale Shillington was killed in a military aviation training accident on July 21, 2016.
Description: The scholarship was established by Allen Moore in memory of Dale Shillington, Free State class of 2009.
Number of Scholarships: 1
Award Amount: $2,000
Criteria: Minimum GPA of 2.5, involvement in school activities with formal or informal leadership roles, involvement in community activities, school athletics, plans to attend any 4-year college/university and/or planning to serve our country.
Application Form: FSHS General Application
Erin Dayton Memorial Scholarship:
John Bork, an attorney who prosecuted public officials and murder cases, was also an avid wrestling dad to his three sons. Two wrestled at LHS and the third wrestled at Free State. graduating in 2022. John thought that wrestling taught great life lessons adn skills as evidenced by his youngest son’s receiving a Division 1 wrestling scholarship. John hoped that this scholarship, given in his memory, would give a graduating FSHS wrestler a bit of help as that student pursues whatever education avenue that comes next.
Requirements: Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5, plan to attend a two-year college, junior college, vocational and/or technical school and demonstrate a financial need. The award will be selected by the staff at the Lawrence College and Career Center.
Number of Scholarships: 1
Award Amount: $1,000
Application Form: LHS / FSHS General Application
Future Cities Silver & Blue Scholarship
Applicants must have participated in Future Cities for any USD497 team and have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Applicants must be involved in school activities and submit a 250 word essay. This scholarship can be used at any post-secondary education institution.
Essay question: Please explain the most valuable lesson you learned by participating in the Future Cities program and how that has impacted your life.
Number of Scholarships: 1
Award Amount: $500
Application Form: LHS / FSHS General Application
H.C. Stuart Memorial Scholarship:
Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0, plan on a teacher career, and plan on attending a 4-year Kansas college or university. Applicants must demonstrate good character and leadership.
Number of Scholarships: 1
Award Amount: $500
Application Form: LHS General Application
Jan Green Memorial Scholarship:
Description: This scholarship was started in memory of Jan, a Lawrence school district educator for 26 years. Applicant must be involved in school and community activities. Applicant must intend to pursue a degree in education at a 4-year college or university and have a minimum GPA of 2.5. Applicant must demonstrate financial need.
Number of Scholarships: 1
Award Amount: $750
Criteria: Merit and Need
Application Form: LHS / FSHS General Application
Jason Alldredge Memorial Scholarship:
Description: Applicants must demonstrate financial need and plan to continue education in Automotive Technology at a 9 month, 2 years, or 4-year school/program. Applicants must demonstrate a strong passion for this type of work have a minimum 2.0 GPA, and be involved in school and community activities.
Number of Scholarships: 1
Award Amount: $1,000
Criteria: Automotive Technology
Application Form: LFSHS General Application
Application Form: LHS /FSHS General Application
Karen Dale Lyerla Memorial Scholarship:
Applicants must demonstrate financial need and plan to pursue a degree in the field of education. Special preference will be given to those interested in Special Education. Applicants must plan to attend a 2-year or 4-year college/university.
Number of Scholarships: 1
Award Amount: $1,000
Application Form: LHS General Application
Latino Success Scholarship:
Applicants must be of Latino ethnicity and demonstrate financial need. Applicants must plan to attend a 2-year or 4-year college or vo-tech school, preference given to applicants involved in school and/or community activities. Applicants must include answers to the Latino Success Scholarship questionnaire (located on separate page) along with their application.
Additional Requirements: Latino Success questionnaire
Number of Scholarships: 1
Award Amount: $1,000
Application Form: LHS / FSHS General Application
Lawrence Schools Foundation Legacy Scholarship:
This scholarship was created to help make college education accessible and a top priority for high school students in the Lawrence community. High consideration is given to students who can articulate their personal goals and communicate the impact their academic, school volunteer, and extracurricular activities has had on their high school career.
Additional Requirements: Cover letter that describes areas in your life where you demonstrated leadership and overcame obstacles either through your school, social or family life.
Number of Scholarships: 4 (2 scholarships at each high school)
Award Amount: $1,000
Criteria: Applicants must demonstrate a financial need and plan to attend a 4-year Kansas college/university or a 2-year college/school (junior college, vocation and/or technical school
Application Form: LHS / FSHS General Application