One girl can make a difference
A Scholarship for Girls with Brilliant Ideas
in Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, and Sonoma Counties.
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Are you an entrepreneurial girl with a great idea, project or community program making an impact in the North San Francisco Bay Area? Whether it's in the arts, STEM, or humanities, we want to hear from you! The facts show, The GIRL EFFECT is REAL! Girls create a ripple effect. They graduate, start businesses, become CEOs, and become leaders in their communities! In 2023, only 3% of all startups were solely female owned. We'd like to help grow those numbers!
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We are eager to offer
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Who We Are
Branches in Lake, Marin, Mendocino,
Napa & Sonoma Counties |
Here at Community First Credit Union we walk our talk! We have 11 branches in the North Bay and keep locally deposited money repurposed locally, to do good for our members, employees and LOCAL communities. We purchase locally and help fellow LOCAL non-profits.
In 2020, we met Sonoma County high school senior, Chloe Cullen, who inspired us with her "Girl Effect" fundraising campaign to sponsor girls education in Rwanda. Together, we decided to take her idea, bring it to our local community and launch The Girl Effect Scholarship - North Bay Area style! |
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Who is Eligible |
Important Dates |
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We are looking for high school senior girls who are doers, thinkers and go-getters - girls who possess an entrepreneurial spirit, have become leaders, have a great idea and have started a community program and/or business.
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April 1, 2025 - Applications open
May 1, 2025 - Application deadline June 15, 2025 - Decisions announced |
Application Details
During the application period, please email us the items below (in one combined pdf form) to: [email protected]
You will receive a confirmation of receipt and your application will be carefully reviewed by our esteemed panel of local female business leaders.
You will receive a confirmation of receipt and your application will be carefully reviewed by our esteemed panel of local female business leaders.
- Resume. Please include all extracurricular activities, honors & awards, community service, and work experience.
- Copy of official high school transcripts.
- List of colleges you have applied to.
- A 500 word essay or less. Tell us about your entrepreneurial spirit. We want to learn what you are passionate about, how your big idea was born, how you’ve harnessed your enthusiasm to make it grow, how does our community benefit and where do you expect to take it.
Scholarship Detail and Rules
To be eligible to apply you must agree and meet the following criteria:
- Two senior high school students will each be awarded with a $2,500 scholarship for the 2025-2026 school year.
- Applicants must be U.S. citizen, reside in and be a senior enrolled in a Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, or Sonoma County high school.
- All scholarship recipients must be planning to attend a four-year university/state college or a two-year community college in the fall.
- The scholarships will be paid upon us receiving a copy of your "verification of enrollment" in 12 or more credits from your chosen college or university.
- It will be paid directly to each of the two recipients.
- All decisions of the selection committee are final and are not subject to appeal.
- Please note: Applications will not be returned and will become the property of CFCU. CFCU officers, employees, and their families are not eligible. The winning entries will be chosen at the discretion of CFCU scholarship committee. Illegible entries may be disqualified. By completing this application, applicants agree to have their names/photos published in CFCU promotional materials. After confirmation of registration/enrollment at a two-year community college or a four-year university, for 12 or more credits/units in classes, scholarship funds will be disbursed upon providing CFCU account number. If the recipient does not have a CFCU account, a check will be given. Funds from this scholarship can only be used to pay tuition, books, school supplies, required equipment for courses, or other educational expenses which are not associated with travel, optional equipment, room & board, or incidentals. Community First offers an array of services beneficial to those continuing their education: online and mobile banking, remote check deposit, online financial literacy, more FREE ATMs than any bank, and much more.
