May 2026
During the 2026 spring scholarship cycle, YVCF scholarships awarded a remarkable $646,400 to 133 students across the Yampa Valley, including:
- $380,000 to graduating seniors
- $209,900 for continuing and non-traditional students
- $56,500 in renewals
The Foundation’s scholarship program supports students across Northwest Colorado as they pursue a wide range of educational and career pathways. We invest and administer 32 scholarship funds, working with community members and local organizations who wish to encourage post-secondary education.
Here are just a few of the powerful and gratifying stories behind the numbers:
The new Out & Proud Yampa Valley Scholarship awarded two $2,000 scholarships to LGBTQ+ students who shared experiences of bullying and discrimination in their applications. At the award ceremonies, founder Deb Benak reminded them, “We see you and celebrate you.” One recipient was so touched that he visited the YVCF office soon after the award ceremony to hand-deliver his thank you note.
Yampa Tuition Grants, based on financial need only, awarded an extraordinary $287,500 of support. One student who received $7,500 shared, “This scholarship will really help alleviate the financial burden of my education, and I could not be more grateful.”
We also celebrated the final renewal of the William P. Spyker Scholarship for students with an IEP. The recipient—now an honor student in Colorado State University’s Construction Management program—wrote, “Your support has made a meaningful difference in my academic experience. It has allowed me to stay focused on my coursework and continue striving for strong performance. I really appreciate everything this scholarship has done for me.”
To learn more about YVCF’s Scholarship Program and see the list of available scholarships, go to: https://yvcf.org/scholarships/
