Is the scholarship renewable?

At this time, the Emily Victoria Solek Memorial Scholarship for graduates of Stoney Creek High School is provided for one year only.  Each year, a recipient will be awarded a scholarship for their freshman year at a college or university.  There may possibly be two recipients if the income from the endowment fund is sufficient and the applicants have equally strong qualifications.

Who selects the recipient(s) of the Emily Victoria Solek Memorial Scholarship?

In partnership with the local community foundation, the Selection Committee of the Rochester Community Schools Foundation will select the top three to five candidates for Emily’s scholarship from all the applicants of the RCS Foundation scholarships.  These top preliminary applicants will be presented to the Board of Directors of The Emily Victoria Solek Memorial Scholarship Fund for the final selection of the recipient(s).  The selection will be based on the criteria established and noted under “Criteria for the Scholarship”.

Are donations to The Emily Victoria Solek Memorial Scholarship Fund deductible for tax purposes?

We expect that your donations will be tax deductible and we will be able to provide you with appropriate documentation if the IRS Determination Letter is received.  The IRS indicates that their review process is approximately six months.  

Additionally, certain funds already contributed and transferred to the Rochester Community Schools Foundation in 2020 for Emily’s endowment fund are already tax deductible given the Rochester Community Schools Foundation tax exempt status, to the extent allowed by law.