News |

Continuing education, for many, serves as a pathway toward the three great ideals of the Declaration of Independence — “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” 
But for many students, current economic conditions and rising tuition costs create financial limitations that can prove difficult to overcome when looking at post-secondary education options. 
To alleviate some of these challenges, the Yampa Valley Community Foundation is using strategic partnerships, deep-rooted community engagement and a broad range of scholarships to contribute positive change and support the futures of young people as they continue their education.
The organization’s mission, according to their website, is to lead “transformational change throughout the Yampa Valley by engaging donors in purposeful philanthropy, empowering local nonprofit organizations, inspiring impactful grantmaking, and collaborating to build vibrant communities.”
This mission translates directly into the scholarship program, where YVCF works to bridge donors with deeply meaningful levels of student support. 
Jenny Campbell, scholarship program manager and communications coordinator at YVCF, plays a key role in ensuring these opportunities reach those who need them most. 
“We do have a lot of incredibly generous community members who value education and who want to support local students in their pursuit of post-secondary education,” said Campbell. “Our role is to connect that donor intent with a useful and functional scholarship to fill a need and best assist students in the area.”
While financial need remains a primary factor in the determination for many scholarships, YVCF also considers the broad and holistic impact of supporting students in various educational pursuits.
“It’s really trying to help students accomplish their educational goals, to give them economic self-sufficiency and success in their jobs or careers, without incurring a lot of crippling student debt,” Campbell noted.
The YVCF scholarship initiative is not just a funding mechanism, it’s a community effort that spans multiple districts, reaching students in non-traditional educational settings as well as individuals who are pursuing careers in the trades.
Danica Moss, a school counselor who has worked in several districts throughout the area, has witnessed the program’s expansion and impacts firsthand. 
“I started working with the Yampa Valley Community Foundation when I was a counselor in Hayden,” Moss recalled. “At that time, we only had about 20 to 25 seniors, and it awarded the opportunity for several kids to receive scholarships to continue their education. Since then, it has tremendously grown with donors and more scholarships, but the need is still there.”
For Moss, the significance of these scholarships extends beyond her professional role, as her own children benefited directly from YVCF support in the form of awarded scholarships. 
“My two daughters were recipients of several scholarships from the Yampa Valley Community Foundation, and they would not have been able to attend college without them,” she said. “That was the single biggest factor allowing them to go to school.”
For Danica’s daughter, Haley, YVCF support was crucial. Currently a senior at Kenyon College, she explained how the foundation’s assistance shaped her educational journey and career pathway. 
“Through the foundation, I’ve actually been able to attend a very expensive college that I wouldn’t have been able to attend otherwise,” she shared. “They not only supported me my first year, but consecutive years with repeating scholarships.”
Moss took the scholarship application process seriously, understanding the significant financial weight of higher education.
“It took me a lot of time to target the scholarships that fit who I was as a person, to really take the time and apply myself,” she noted.
While Danica’s background as a counselor offered guidance to Haley, she ultimately recognized that it was up to her to put in the work to secure the financial support necessary for her education. 
“She really prioritized me needing to do it by myself,” Haley said. “She was a great support when it came to making sure I dotted my i’s and crossed my t’s, but it was her encouragement that helped me push myself.”
As part of its ongoing commitment to local students, YVCF continues to expand its scholarship offerings. The organization announced that 2024 scholarships exceeded $578,000 for 135 students in Routt and Moffat counties, including graduating seniors and current college or vocational students. One of the largest sources of local scholarship funding, Yampa Tuition Grants, accounted for $220,000 of that amount. 
“We had a vision for a local, need-based college grant program and are so glad to have been able to help so many students in the first two years of our scholarship program,” said YTG Fund Advisors Harold and Peggy Kamins in a YVCF news release.
YVCF and its partners continually seek to broaden the range of scholarships offered to students. New this year is the Northwest Colorado Trade Scholarship, designed to encourage education in the trades for both graduating seniors and returning adult students. 
“The Routt County Building Department is pleased to initiate a new trade scholarship in partnership with the Community Foundation,” said Todd Carr, building official with the Routt County Building Department, in the YVCF release. “Our network of local contractors is going to help promote the scholarship opportunity to their workers, and the scholarship fund has already grown from gifts from community members who value the trades.”
One of the unique aspects of YVCF’s scholarship program is its connection between donors and students, which highlights the interconnected nature of the region’s communities. 
“What the Yampa Valley Community Foundation provides is something for our youth to work towards,” said Danica Moss. “It makes them think, ‘If I’m going to have good grades, be dedicated to my community, and be a good person of character, then I’m eligible for this help to go on to the next level.’”
Campbell echoed this sentiment, explaining how the foundation continually seeks to enhance outreach efforts, particularly for underserved students. 
“Getting the word out about the scholarships to the kids and families who perhaps need them the most can sometimes be one of the biggest challenges,” she noted.
Counseling staff at local high schools are compiling lists of available scholarships and started sending out information to students and families on Feb. 1.
To learn more about YVCF’s existing scholarships, make a charitable contribution or start a new scholarship fund, visit yvcf.org/scholarships or contact Jenny Campbell, scholarship program manager, at 970-879-8632 or scholarships@yvcf.org.









Readers around Steamboat and Routt County make the Steamboat Pilot & Today’s work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.
Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.
Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.
Sign up for daily and breaking news headlines.

Classifieds
Jobs
Real Estate
Rentals
Autos
Pets
Recreation
Merchandise
Legals
Place Legal Ad
Search Legal Ads
Contact Us
Become a Carrier
Submissions
Advertise
Archives
Special Sections
About Us
Newsletters
Submit an Obituary
Commercial Print Sales
RSS
E-edition
E-edition archive
Cookie List
Do not sell my personal information
Aspen – Snowmass
Craig – Moffat County
Glenwood Springs – Rifle
Park City – Utah
Breckenridge – Summit County
Vail – Eagle County
Winter Park – Granby – Grand County
Printing Press Jobs
©2005 – 2025 Swift Communications, Inc.

source