The Permanent Endowment for Martha’s Vineyard is administering close to $300,000 worth of scholarships for Vineyarders this graduating season. An increase of nearly $50,000 from last year’s gifting is due, in part, to the recent establishment of the George R. Yates and Margaret A. Yates Memorial Fund.
The endowment has grown from an initial bequest of $60,000 to more than $10 million. Scholarships range in size from $800 to a record-high gift of $7,700 going to Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School graduate Gabriel Canham for his studies at Maine Maritime Academy.
The Endowment received 179 applications from 2016 high school graduates, as well as graduates from past years looking for funding to continue their education. Ultimately, 128 awards were made. A complete list of scholarship recipients is posted on its website, endowmv.org.
“We are honored to serve the many generous Island benefactors who have established funds at the endowment to help Island students achieve their goals,” Emily Bramhall, executive director, said.
In addition to funding scholarships for Island students, the endowment makes grants that address community needs through Island nonprofits to enhance and preserve the quality of life on the Vineyard, now and forever.