Bridge Builders Community Foundations Awards Record-Breaking $613,440 in Scholarships
- Editor
- Jun 14
- 2 min read
Bridge Builders Community Foundations is proud to announce a record-breaking year of scholarship support for local students.
For the 2026–2027 academic year, BBCF awarded $613,440.14 in scholarships to students pursuing college, trade school, and other opportunities beyond high school. In total, 226 individual scholarship awards were made through 82 unique scholarship funds, each created by generous donors who believe in the power of education and the promise of local students.
These scholarships represent more than financial support. They reflect the stories, values, and hopes of families, individuals, businesses, and community members who chose to invest in the next generation. Some funds honor loved ones. Others support students entering specific fields, graduating from particular schools, or pursuing education despite financial barriers. Together, they create a meaningful network of opportunity for students across our region.
“Awarding more than $613,000 in scholarships this year is a remarkable milestone for our foundation and the communities we serve. These awards represent the collective generosity of donors who believe in investing in local students and the bright futures they are building.” Trenton Moulin, President & CEO
BBCF congratulates all of this year’s scholarship recipients and extends sincere gratitude to the donors, families, and scholarship committees who make these awards possible.
For a complete list of recipients go to:
History of Bridge Builders Foundation:
The Venango Area Community Foundation was founded on April 30, 1975. The first discretionary fund was created within the Venango Area Community Foundation portfolio in June 1976 by Galena Rew Harrington and Mary E. Rew, both of Franklin, who were two local community volunteers who wanted to make a difference. They started that initial endowment with a gift and trust transfer totaling almost $80,000.
Today that endowment still exists as the oldest continued endowment in Bridge Builders Community Foundations’ portfolio, and distributes approximately $5,000 annually to local causes every year.
The Venango Area Community Foundation changed its name to Bridge Builders Community Foundations in 2006 and created affiliates to serve the Venango, Clarion, and Forest counties to leverage assets, fund management, and giving.
It took a long time to evolve as a community foundation and to become the umbrella foundation serving our four area affiliates.
Through economic upturns and downturns, staff changes, and social impact over the years we have been able to uphold our values and stay true to what we were founded on over 40 years ago.
