The Grow Wabash County scholarship program provides funding to Wabash County residents looking to attend training courses that allow them to pursue industry-recognized certifications.

“We are so grateful for a grant from Don Wood Foundation’s Ignite Your Future Program to support our adult learners in Wabash County,” Julie Garber, vice president for strategic initiatives for Community Foundation of Wabash County, said. “Through our various scholarship programs, we are able to offer opportunities from high school completion to certifications to degrees. Partners like Don Wood Foundation make these opportunities possible and help us as a county to move toward greater educational attainment and population growth.”

Since 2017, the Grow Wabash County Scholarship program has awarded 159 scholarships to Wabash County residents, a total of $410,668 in direct funding. Grow Wabash County has also successfully leveraged over $500,000 from alternative funding sources from the state and northeast Indiana region. As a result, more than $1 million has been provided to cover tuition costs for close to 400 individuals living in Wabash County.

“The support we have received from organizations like the Community Foundation of Wabash County and the Don Wood Foundation has been incredible,” Chelsea Parson, project manager for development and marketing, said. “Funding like this directly benefits Wabash County residents who are seeking opportunities to up-skill and pursue higher wage jobs in some of Wabash County’s most high-demand disciplines. Support like this is helping us move the needle even more to develop a strong and talented workforce in Wabash County.”