Ashland High Alumni Scholarship Endowment Your Questions Answered

For many years, the Ashland High Alumni Association has awarded scholarships to Ashland High graduating seniors, funded through the annual banquet contributions and class donations with scholarships generally set at $1500.  With funds collected year-to-year, the amount available for future scholarships was always uncertain.

Why was the Ashland High Alumni Scholarship Endowment created?

This program was created to ensure a stable, long-term source of funding and to expand both the number and size of scholarships awarded each year. With an initial fundraising goal of $50,000, the fund has already raised $45,011 between June and November 2025. 

Our goal is to increase the scholarship amount by $500 annually until reaching $3,500 per student, which is an impactful amount recommended by the Oregon Community Foundation. Ongoing fundraising will both replenish the annual awards and grow the fund.

Our hope is to engage a broad base of alumni donors that span multiple generations—all united in supporting the next generation of Grizzlies.

 Who was hired as the investment firm?

Harfst and Associates Inc from Ashland was hired to invest these funds and to advise the Board on their fiduciary responsibilities regarding the endowment. 

The endowment will be restricted to scholarships and scholarship-related expenses.  It will include both a permanent fund that can grow over the years with earnings dedicated to scholarships, and a fund for distributing annual scholarships.  Donations can be made to either or both funds in the endowment.  Our intent is to build a broad base of alumni donors covering decades of classes. 

What are the scholarship criteria? 

• AHS graduating senior*

• 3.0 GPA minimum

• Financial need (per FAFSA or ORSAA determination)

• Other considerations:  School and community activities, first-generation college students, demonstration of commendable personal qualities (e.g., resilience in overcoming significant obstacles).  

*Recipients of a GED earned through AHS are eligible for scholarships if their test scores on the GED are determined to be equivalent to a 3.0 GPA minimum  

Scholarships are available for use at public or private nonprofit post-secondary institutions (universities, colleges, trade and vocational schools) in Oregon or elsewhere.

Are Scholarship donations Tax Deductible?

Scholarship donations made to the Alumni Association qualify as charitable donations that are tax deductible (EIN #81-1650848).  These donations are used 100% for scholarships and scholarship-related expenses (e.g., 1% investment fees, scholarship brochures, accompanying postage costs, etc.).  All scholarship advisory committee members serve as volunteers. 

Additional questions please email: info@ashlandhighalumni.com