Private Scholarships & Grants Foster Adopted KLG Youth NJ Application

Private Scholarships & Grants for High School Seniors

Learn about the eligibility requirements and availability of embrella’s Private Scholarships & Independent Living Opportunity Grants for Foster, Adopted & KLG Youth in NJ. If you have questions please contact Sandra White, Scholarship Programs Administrator, swhite@embrella.org

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embrella's Private Scholarships & Grants for Foster, Adopted & KLG Youth in NJ

embrella offers privately funded academic scholarships & opportunity grants for foster youth, youth who were in foster care, were adopted, or have entered Kinship Legal Guardianship through the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (CP&P) in New Jersey. These awards are available to High School Seniors to assist in obtaining a higher education or with moving into the next phase of their lives. The funding for these awards is made possible through the generosity of dedicated benefactors.

Bernard and Sue Dondiego Opportunity Grant

This grant honors Bernie and Sue Dondiego, both of whom are founders and past presidents of embrella. They have been dynamic child advocates for almost a half-century. During this time, they fostered 38 children.

Sadly, Bernie Dondiego, passed away in July 2015. Sue continues to be actively involved by serving on the embrella Board of Directors as Secretary.

Sue and Bernie’s invaluable services continue to aid embrella in achieving its mission to improve the lives of our children. Purpose: To create an opportunity for a young person to succeed in the next phase of his/her life. This might include higher education, additional training, trade school, vocational school, and/or independent living.

Fran and Jack Borgenicht Opportunity Grant

This grant honors Fran and Jack Borgenicht, both of whom have a long philanthropic history, particularly in supporting foster, adoptive, and kinship families in Morris County and the State of New Jersey.

After Jack’s passing, Fran has continued their charitable efforts, as she served on several Foundation boards and helped found the embrella Foundation in 2008. Fran served as one of the Foundation’s charter Board of Trustees, as it aided embrella in its mission to improve the lives of our children. Purpose: To create an opportunity for a young person to succeed in the next phase of his/her life. This might include higher education, additional training, trade school, vocational school, and/or independent living.

Hattie Talley Opportunity Grant

Hattie Talley was one of the founders of embrella and the first President of our organization (then known as the New Jersey Foster Parents Association).

As an adoptive, biological, and foster parent, Ms. Talley personified the caring, nurturing spirit that enables resource parents to open their hearts and homes to New Jersey’s most vulnerable children. Purpose: To create an opportunity for a young person to succeed in the next phase of his/her life. This might include additional training, trade school, vocational school, and/or independent living.

Have a Heart Academic Scholarship

The Have A Heart Academic Scholarship was established to celebrate the foster or adoptive youth with the strength, courage and dedication to change the world with the power of education.

Purpose: To recognize academic achievement and support advanced studies at an accredited college, university, community college, or junior college.

Margaret Campbell Harris Memorial Opportunity Grant

This grant honors Margaret Campbell Harris, a dedicated and beloved volunteer of three Junior Leagues: London, New York and ultimately, the Junior League of Montclair-Newark (JLMN).

As a fervent proponent of serving children in the community, Margaret spearheaded several JLMN projects connecting children to the arts through museum visits, art classes and puppet shows. Her fundraising abilities were unmatched and allowed the JLMN to reach these children. Margaret’s extraordinary sense of humor made a marked impact on all. The Junior League of Montclair-Newark is thrilled to honor her memory by assisting a deserving young person to achieve their goals and dreams. Purpose: To create an opportunity for a young person to succeed in the next phase of his/her life. This might include additional training, trade school, vocational school, and/or independent living.

Teresa Ziegelhofer Memorial Academic Scholarship

The Teresa Ziegelhofer Memorial Academic Scholarship was formed when a beloved member of the Ziegelhofer family, Teresa, was taken from them in May 2008, at the age of 30.

The Ziegelhofer family had the good fortune of taking in Teresa as a foster child and later adopting her into the family. Teresa did not take the educational opportunities available to her after high school and learned later on in her life the importance of a good education. She came to believe that an education was vital in becoming the best person one could be. At the time of her death, she was pursuing her lifelong dream of achieving an associate’s degree. The path taken is not always perfect and we believe the potential and choices made today are more important than mistakes made in the past. The family knows that Teresa is smiling in heaven watching another “chosen” individual become the recipient of this fine scholarship, so that he/she can pursue the dream that she could not fulfill. Purpose: To recognize academic achievement and support advanced studies at an accredited college, university, community college, or junior college.

George W. Gens Memorial Academic Scholarship

George W Gens was a WWII veteran and college professor for more than 30 years. He was a speech pathologist and is considered one of the “fathers” of the field in the state of New Jersey.

George valued education and the institutions that enrich the lives of young adults. He provided many with the opportunity to improve their lives and his family is pleased to create this award to honor his legacy. He always looked to assist his family and in his honor, they would like to assist foster and adoptive youth advance their education and realize their full potential. Purpose: To recognize academic achievement and support advanced studies at an accredited college, university, community college, or junior college.

Margaret Campbell Harris Memorial Academic Scholarship

This scholarship honors Margaret Campbell Harris, a dedicated and beloved volunteer of three Junior Leagues: London, New York and ultimately, the Junior League of Montclair-Newark (JLMN).

embrella Employee Academic Scholarship

Every day, all of embrella’ employees, no matter what their job, take great joy in encouraging and empowering New Jersey’s young people who are, or were, in foster care.

We are proud of the work we do, but we are more proud of the young men and women we serve, who each refuse to let their difficult past dim their bright future. It is our pleasure to award this scholarship, which will help them realize their dreams of continuing their education and becoming successful and fulfilled adults. Purpose: To recognize academic achievement and support advanced studies at an accredited college, university, community college, or junior college.

The Bettie Jane Shea Memorial Opportunity Grant

This memorial Opportunity Grant honors Bettie Jane Shea who was a foster, biological and adoptive mother. She loved children. and she felt they needed her. Bettie Jane was an advocate who was the President of the Monmouth County Foster Parent Association.

Bettie Jane worked tirelessly to help all children in need of a loving family. The Shea home was always open, and whoever came through the door were considered family. Bettie Jane Shea would have it no other way. This memorial Opportunity Grant will keep the legacy alive for a woman who was forever a giver and truly a life saver. Purpose: To create an opportunity for a young person to succeed in the next phase of his/her life. This might include higher education, additional training, trade school, vocational school, and/or independent living.

The Prism Scholarship

The Prism Scholarship, established by Alyssa Switlik, the granddaughter of two of embrella’s co-founders, Bernie and Sue Dondiego, in honor of the family’s continued caring tradition. The Prism Scholarship is intended to support the college or vocational dreams of an LGBTQAI+ high school senior.

Founded in 1972 and incorporated in 1974, embrella, formerly Foster and Adoptive Family Services, serves foster, adoptive and kinship parents in communities throughout NJ. We provide services, support and training opportunities for foster, adoptive and kinship families. We help foster children by offering programs to support them from childhood to young adulthood.