Scholarships
Scholarship funds held by GCCF support the post-secondary education of recipients and are eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
The Major Walter Benson Scholarship
(Field of Interest Scholarship)
This endowed fund was established in memory of the late Major Walter Benson, former principal of Greenwood High School. A native of Travelers Rest, Major Benson served as principal of Greenwood High from 1924 until 1953. Mr. Saul Kurlat of Cambridge, Massachusetts, by a 1943 graduate of Greenwood High School, established the endowed scholarship to honor the encouragement and compassion of the former Greenwood High School principal. Kurlat stated, “Major Benson helped me and other students achieve through his encouragement and compassion, and I want to honor his memory in a special way.” The scholarship will be managed by the scholarship committee of Greenwood High School.
The scholarship will be awarded to Greenwood High School students who overcome exceptional circumstances in achieving their high school diploma and who maintain a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale and who have been accepted to a technical college or college/university. Major Benson’s motto of Do Right Because it is Right is still heard in the halls of Greenwood School District 50 schools.
The William R. (Bill) Logan, Jr. Memorial Masonic Scholarship Fund
(Scholarship)
Created to honor the memory of loving husband, father and Mason, Bill Logan, this competitive scholarship will be available to an Emerald High School senior who plans to continue his or her education at an institution of higher learning.
The Benjamin J. Sanders Scholarship
(Endowed)
A committee of Brewer High School alumni wished to preserve and celebrate the life and career of long time educator and administrator Benjamin J. Mays through the creation of a scholarship named in his memory.
This fund will provide a student, or students, in Greenwood School Districts 50, 51, and 52 with a gift towards their first year tuition at any 2- or 4-year institution of higher learning.
The Chad Withered Scholarship
(Field of Interest Scholarship)
The Chad Withered Scholarship was created at Main Street United Methodist Church to honor the memory of Chad Withered, an active youth member of Main Street who passed away unexpectedly.
This scholarship, awarded annually to a youth member of the church who will be a rising college freshman, is determined by a competitive application process and deliberated upon by a committee of church leaders. Like Chad Withered, the recipient of this scholarship must display good character, leadership qualities, a dedication to Christian ideals, and a desire to continue their education.
Criteria also considered include active participation in church activities, including UMYF, and an ability to have fun and enjoy life.
The assets for this scholarship fund will continue to grow at the Community Foundation and the church family will continue to select recipients from qualified applicants.
The Greenwood Kiwanis Star Student Fund
(Designated Scholarship)
This scholarship was formed so that this civic organization will receive an annual distribution to honor with scholarships some of the top performing students in Greenwood County.
The Greenwood Chamber of Commerce Community Scholarship
(Field of Interest Scholarship)
This scholarship will assist at least one local student at each of our local institutions of higher education — Lander University and Piedmont Technical College.
GCCF works collaboratively with individuals and organizations that are interested in improving the quality of life in Greenwood. Through annual granting cycles the Foundation provides funding to charitable organizations located in the county.