JLP Scholarship Application Deadline
College scholarships support female students whose studies focus on food insecurity. Info: https://bit.ly/2E5rI9Q
Past Scholarship Recipients
The Junior League of Pittsburgh’s scholarship program recognizes female students who are excelling inside and outside of the classroom. Applicants served as active volunteers, completing at least 100 hours of community service during their academic careers.
Junior League of Pittsburgh Scholarship Past Recipients
- 1990: Samantha Garlick, Perry Traditional Academy
- 1991: Melissa Haas, Taylor-Alderdice High School
- 1992: Michelle Phelan, North Allegheny High School
- 1993: Megan Rogan, Penn Hills High School
- 1994: Kara Maris Csargich, Quaker Valley High School
- 1995: Jessica Gainer
- 1997: Elizabeth Moretti, Springdale High School; Duquesne University
- 1998: Ellen Gray
- 1999: Patricia Thomas, Schenley High School; Duquesne University
- 2000: Rebecca Schenck, Denison University
- 2001: Jessica Buck, Allegheny College
- 2002: Emily Carr, West Allegheny HS; Eastern Pennsylvania University
- 2003: Amy Reisner
- 2004: Jessica Tattershall
- 2005: Erin Moran, Baldwin High School; John Carroll University
- 2006: Melinda Gorentz, Highlands High School; University of Pittsburgh
- 2007: Melissa McKinney, Grove City College
- 2008: Lauren Zammerilla, University of Pittsburgh
- 2009: Anna Jon Sabo, University of Pennsylvania
- 2010: Victoria Mikulan, Shaler Area High School; Robert Morris University
- 2011: Darya Fischbach, Allderdice High School;Washington University in St. Louis
- 2012: Jacqueline Clarke, Barack Obama Academy of Intl. Studies; Howard University
- 2013: Samantha Wilczynski, Deer Lakes HS; University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg
- 2014: Tori Hill, Propel Andrew Street High School; Slippery Rock University
- 2015: Lauren Linkowski, Mount Lebanon High School; University of Georgia
- 2016: Claire Dougherty, Mount Lebanon High School; Dartmouth College
- 2018: Megan McElhaney, University of Pittsburgh
Rae Watson Scholarship
Awarded for three years in memory of our beloved Wear After Shop employee.
- 1994, Asia Loar, Morgan State University
- 1995: Nicole Patrick, Robert Morris College
- 1997: Megan Ruane, Penn Hills High School; community college
Scholarships
Scholarship Program
Junior League of Pittsburgh scholarships support female college students whose studies focus on the causes and impacts of food insecurity.
The 2019 scholarship period has ended. Please check back in early 2020 for application submission information.
Requirements:
- Minimum of 100 hours of verified volunteer service (via verification letter from organization). Include a description of activities, number of hours, organizations mission and contact information.
- A Pennsylvania college transcript showing a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 (B) or better.
- A one-page document describing how and why your interest in the causes and impacts of food insecurity have influenced your career goals and major. Also note completed, related projects.
2018 Scholarship Recipient
The League awarded a $1,500 scholarship to Megan McElhaney (seen here with her dog, Hugo). Our annual college scholarship goes to a student who’s studying childhood food access, and Megan is working on two master’s degrees at the University of Pittsburgh: one in social work with a concentration in community, organization and social action and the other in public administration with a concentration in nonprofit management. Her plan is to graduate in spring 2019.
Megan’s resume reflects her passion for helping others: Jonas Salk Fellow at Pitt, former school food policy intern with Just Harvest, AmeriCorps Keys Service-Corps member. Through these experiences, she oversaw the implementation of the Child and Adult Care Food Program at a local YMCA; conducted extensive research on Allegheny County school systems and their meal and nutrition policies; strategized with organizations concerned about food insecurity; developed lesson plans on nutrition, gardening and sustainability; and tutored or mentored over 130 kids ranging in age from 6-16.
Megan graduated magna cum laude from Pitt with a Bachelor of Arts in 2014. With her academic focus now on food insecurity issues, it may come as a surprise that she majored in English literature and communications and rhetoric. She said an undergraduate class motivated her to get involved.
“I took a really great class about the intersection of gender and food politics, and it completely changed the way I thought about hunger,” Megan said. “For the first time, I understood hunger as a symptom of poverty rather than a problem that exists in a vacuum. I truly believe that access to adequate portions of nutritious, delicious food is a basic human right, and the fact that not everyone is given that access is outrageous to me. The politics of food are intertwined with so many other social issues — education, healthcare, environmental issues, socioeconomic divides. All of this makes it difficult to tackle food insecurity in one fell swoop, but that just makes me more determined to help in any way that I can, especially when kids are involved.”
As we follow Megan and her studies, we’ll update you on her progress on social media. The Junior League of Pittsburgh’s scholarship program is coordinated by our community Research and Development Committee.
Past Grant Recipients
The Junior League of Pittsburgh’s Community Impact Committee are always looking for opportunities to collaborate with local organizations that align with the Junior League’s mission. For further information, please contact the Junior League of Pittsburgh’s Community Impact Committee at community@jlpgh.org.
In addition to grant funding, there are opportunities to receive volunteer support from members of the Junior League. Grants have been awarded to applicants with programming that aligns with the Junior League of Pittsburgh’s mission and where monies will have the greatest impact. Awards will be given for program funding.
2022-2023 GRANT RECIPIENTS
Organization | Grant | What it Supports |
Pioneer Pantry at Point Park University | $1000 | Support helped purchase the cooking tools and equipment needed to teach students how to cook the produce and other foods that they receive through the pantry. |
Civically | $1000 | Support provided food to for the Wilkinsburg Fresh Market |
2022-2023 Total | $2,000 |
2021-2022 GRANT RECIPIENTS
Organization | Grant | What it Supports |
Jubilee Association | $500 | To fight hunger everyday, to make sure hungry neighbors have the food they need in respectful and caring environment |
Rainbow Kitchen | $400 | Provides a source of nutritious supplemental food for low-income individuals and families |
Wilkinsburg Community Ministry | $100 | Basic necessities, such as food, clothing and energy assistance to Wilkinsburg residents in need |
2020-2021 Total | $1,000 |
2020-2021 GRANT RECIPIENTS
2019-2020 GRANT RECIPIENTS
Organization | Grant | What it Supports |
East End Co-Op Ministries | $5,000 | Food assistance to those experiencing food insecurity, or working alongside those who are experiencing housing insecurity and barriers to employment. |
Christopher’s Kitchen | $1,000 | Providing food and drink to those who are in the hospital with their loved ones |
North Hills Cares | $1,000 | Provide assistance to residents of the northern Pittsburgh communities who are in need |
Northside Food Pantry | $1,000 | Food purchased for pantry families |
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank | $1,000 | Increase access to nutritious food |
2019-2020 Total | $9,500 |
2018-2019 GRANT RECIPIENTS
2017-2018 GRANT RECIPIENTS
Organization | Grant | What it Supports |
Dilworth | $500 | School backpack feeding program |
Earthen Vessels Outreach | $4,080 | Expansion of summer meal program for economically disadvantaged children |
FOCUS Pittsburgh | $4,000 | Summer Dreamers backpack feeding program |
Just Harvest Education Fund | $2,800 | Power of Produce program that provides children with fun opportunities about healthy foods and local food systems through activities and conversations at farmers markets |
Linden | $500 | School backpack feeding program |
Pittsburgh Montessori | $500 | School backpack feeding program |
Squirrel Hill Food Pantry | $3,635 | Program encouraging healthy eating choices among children by teaching them how to prepare fresh fruit and vegetables for consumption. |
2017-2018 Total | $16,015 |
2015-2016 GRANT RECIPIENTS
Organization | Grant | What it Supports |
Focus Pittsburgh | $4,500 | Summer Feeding Program |
Liberty Elementary School | $4,000 | After school, emergency feeding program. |
Linden Elementary School | $4,000 | After school, emergency feeding program. |
Propel East Elementary School | $10,000 |
Emergency food program for weekend meals and snacks covering 50 students over 30 weeks. |
2015-2016 Total | $22,500 |
2014-2015 GRANT RECIPIENTS
Organization | Grant | What it Supports |
Gwen’s Girls | $2,500 | Train 6 plus girls from 10 to 13 using the Girl Talk Counts project to resolve family conflicts. |
iQ Kids Radio | $15,000 | 24×7 Children’s Internet radio for kids and by kids |
Jeremiah’s Place | $1,800 | Purchase necessary equipment to steamline the intake process for families recovering from abuse. |
YWCA | $2,500 | Educate 50 plus families and introduce 29 preschool on STEM |
2014-2015 Total | $21,800 |
2013-2014 GRANT RECIPIENTS
Organization | Grant | What it Supports |
Assemble | $2,500 | Crafternoon Workshops that promote project-based learning in science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM). |
Braddock Redux | $2,500 | 24×7 Children’s Internet radio for kids and by kids |
Catholic Charities | $2,200 | |
Girl Scouts of Western PA | $2,500 | Urban Scouting |
Homewood Children’s Village | $2,500 | Power Pack program combatting weekend hunger. |
iQ Kids Radio | $15,000 | 24×7 Children’s Internet radio for kids and by kids |
2013-2014 Total | $27,200 |
2012-2013 GRANT RECIPIENTS
Organization | Grant | What it Supports |
iQ Kids Radio | $15,000 | 24×7 Children’s Internet radio for kids and by kids |
2012-2013 Total | $15,000 |
2011-2012 GRANT RECIPIENTS
Organization | Grant | What it Supports |
Catholic Charities | $2,000 | |
Strong Women Strong Girls | $15,000 | Funding for adding 400 girls to its existing programming from 2009 to 2011. |
YMCA | $2,000 | |
2011-2012 Total | $19,000 |
2010-2011 GRANT RECIPIENTS
Organization | Grant | What it Supports |
Diaper Bank | $10,000 | |
Girls on the Run | $5,000 | Scholarships for 74 girls from 3 rd – 6 th grade in a 12-week program to foster self-esteem and health |
Strong Women Strong Girls | $15,000 | Funding for adding 400 girls to its existing programming from 2009-2011. |
2010-2011 Total | $30,000 |
2009-2010 GRANT RECIPIENTS
Organization | Grant | What it Supports |
Strong Women Strong Girls | $15,000 | Funding for adding 400 girls to its existing programming from 2009-2011. |
2009-2010 Total | $15,000 |
2008-2009 GRANT RECIPIENTS
Organization | Grant | What it Supports |
Felician Sisters | $20,000 | For the Mooncrest Children’s program to provide tutoruing, music, and social ministries program to children in a poverty-stricken neighborhood in Moon Township. |
Kaboom | $55,000 | Children’s Playground in the City of Clairton |
2008-2009 Total | $75,000 |
2007-2008 GRANT RECIPIENTS
Organization | Grant | What it Supports |
Kaboom | $55,000 | Children’s Playground in Pittsburgh’s North Side |
2007-2008 Total | $55,000 |
2006-2007 GRANT RECIPIENTS
Organization | Grant | What it Supports |
Beginning with Books | $37,500 | Handoff of Everyone Wins! Community project |
Girls Scouts Trillium Council | $2,500 | |
Kaboom | $55,000 | Children’s Playground in Turtle Creek |
Lincoln Elementary Technology Council | $2,500 | |
Wilkins School Community Center | $2,500 | |
2006-2007 Total | $100,000 |
2005-2006 GRANT RECIPIENTS
Organization | Grant | What it Supports |
Beginning with Books | $37,500 | Handoff of Everyone Wins! Community project |
2005-2006 | $37,500 |
2003-2004 GRANT RECIPIENTS
Organization | Grant | What it Supports |
Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh | $40,000 | Funds to build the Backyard play area |
2003-2004 | $40,000 |