The Empire Runners Student Grant Fund was established in the year 2000 with the goal of helping deserving high school student athletes go on to college by awarding monetary grants. We were not aware of any other scholarships specifically for runners that could be used at the college of the student’s choice and as a running club and we were compelled to develop a scholarship program with that specific intent. There are no restrictions on which college an applicant may attend to be eligible provided that they have an organized track and or cross country program and the grants may be used by the students however they wish to help with their college expenses.
The Club awards a minimum of two grants of $500 each year, one each for a graduating male and female. We also award additional “Runner Up” grants of varying amounts each year based on our available funds and the number of applicants. The first grants were awarded in the year 2001 and through 2010 we have awarded forty nine grants totaling approximately $20,000.
Applications are accepted each year from February through April and awards are announced in May with the formal presentation of the grants at the Kenwood Footrace on July 4th each year. All students receiving awards are invited to participate in the race as our guest.
To qualify, a student must have participated in track or cross county at any Sonoma County high school and be planning to run on a college team after graduating from high school. ( See the application for full eligibility requirements. ) All Sonoma County high school seniors meeting the eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply and membership in the Empire Runners Club is not required.
These Grants are made possible in part through funding provided by Empire Runners Club membership dues. Additional funding is provided through donations by members and by a raffle held at the monthly club meetings. Donations can be made when joining or renewing a membership by filling out the space provided on the application or anytime by sending a check to the Empire Runners Club with a note saying “Student Grant Fund”. Donations may also be made through our website.
You may contact the Student Grant Fund at scholarship@empirerunners.org or by calling Bob Finlay at 707-544-2251 or Alex Isabeau at 707-578-3025.
The Empire Runners Club is an IRS Section 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. Donations made to the Student Grant Fund may be tax deductible. Please check with your tax adviser.
