Stratton Community Foundation Launches Trade Scholarship Program to Support Local Students

Stratton Mountain, VT – The Stratton Community Foundation is proud to announce the launch of its new Trade Scholarship Program, designed to provide financial support to local students pursuing careers in the trades. Over the past few years, the Foundation has provided more than a dozen, donor-funded trade opportunities to graduating high school students. Formalizing this Foundation program and expanding it will allow students to have access to funding on an ongoing basis.

“We are proud to formally offer trade and vocational training scholarships to support local students,” said Meredith Morin, executive director of the Stratton Community Foundation. “By continuing to open the door to trade education, we hope to inspire young people to explore career paths they may not have considered before, while also strengthening our community with the skilled workforce it needs to thrive.”

The Trade Scholarship Program is open to high school seniors who reside in the Foundation’s service area (see below), and applications will be accepted on a rolling basis from December 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026. Award amounts will vary based on need and program costs, but scholarships can be awarded up to $3,000/year for up to two years.

This initiative underscores the Foundation’s commitment to opening doors of opportunity and strengthening the community by investing in the next generation of skilled workers.

“Not every student’s path leads to a traditional four-year college,” said Chris Amery, Board Chair of the Stratton Community Foundation. “With this program, we are recognizing and supporting the incredible value that trades bring to our community. By helping students access the training they need, we’re also helping to build a stronger, more sustainable local workforce.”

The Trade Scholarship Program was created in response to both the increasing demand for qualified tradespeople and the financial barriers many students face when pursuing vocational or technical education. Scholarships will be awarded to students enrolling in accredited trade schools or certificate programs in fields such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, automotive technology, healthcare, culinary arts, and other vital professions.

The Stratton Community Foundation invites students, educators, and community members to learn more about the scholarship and application process at https://strattonfoundation.org/

For those who wish to support this initiative, donations can be made directly to the Trade Scholarship Fund through the Foundation’s website. Contributions will go directly toward helping students pursue their education and launch meaningful careers in the trades.

About the Stratton Community Foundation
The Stratton Community Foundation’s mission is to address the challenges that stand between a child in need and the opportunity to be healthy, safe, and prepared to learn. As a community-based nonprofit, our role is to care for the well-being of families across southern Vermont, serving the communities of Arlington, Bondville, Danby, Dorset, Jamaica, Landgrove, Londonderry, Manchester, Newfane-Newbrook, Pawlet, Peru, South Londonderry, Stratton, Sunderland, Townshend, Wardsboro, Weston, Windham, and Winhall. Through programs, grants, and partnerships, the Foundation provides resources and opportunities to improve lives and create a more resilient future.