Riley I Whitelaw Memorial Fund

08/15/2026

📚✏️ The school year is kicking off, and we know you’re ready with your books, backpacks, and all the supplies you need to succeed! 🎒✨ But wait—there’s one more thing to add to your checklist: your application for our Student Creative Grant! 🌟 Whether you're dreaming of a new project or need a boost for your artistic journey, we’re here to support your creativity. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to make your year truly unforgettable! Apply now and let your imagination soar!

6th to 12th grade students in Colorado Springs School Districts: 2, 3, 8, 11, 12, 14, 20, 38 & 49 are welcome to apply. Six $500 grants up for grabs!

Application is open TODAY (August 15) and until October 15 at 11:59PM.

Head over to our website (link in bio) for more information and to access the application!

🚀🎨🎼🎤🎸🎬

07/15/2026

TEACHERS!!!

Summer break is the perfect time for you to recharge and indulge in some fun under the sun, but it’s also an excellent opportunity to apply for TEACHER GRANTS that can enhance your classrooms!

We're offering educators a chance to secure funding for innovative projects, classroom resources, or other activities that directly impact your students and school community.

While enjoying the beach, sand, and waves, teachers can brainstorm creative ideas that could transform their teaching practice. These grants not only benefit the students by providing enriched learning experiences but also empower teachers to bring their educational visions to life. So, as you soak up the sun, remember to explore these opportunities and turn your summertime inspiration into reality for the upcoming school year!

Highlights:

🌞Open to the following Colorado Springs school districts: 2, 3, 8, 11, 12, 14, 20, 38 & 49
🌞For 6th through 12th grade classrooms
🌞Grant payouts are between $500 to $1000 for two to five recipients
🌞Supports classroom projects or experiences that foster kindness, creativity, and community engagement
🌞Application opens July 15 and closes September 15 with decisions announced by the end of October

For more information, application forms, and guidelines, please visit https://www.rileywhitelaw.org/scholarship-fund.

Please share this information with teachers who you believe would be interested in applying to support their classroom programs.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram or bookmark our website!

07/06/2026

2026 is the fourth year we've offered scholarships to Riley's alma mater, Air Academy High School. Class of 2026 is amazing which made it all that much harder to select recipients!

We're certain these, now former, Kadets have bright futures ahead of them!

🎓Claire W. - “I am so thankful and honored to have received this scholarship! I plan to attend UNCO in Greeley Colorado to pursue a degree in nursing! I am looking forward to trying new things and taking up new opportunities throughout college like sports, internships, volunteering, missionary work, making new friends, and learning more about what I can do to make the world a better place! I am also extremely excited to learn more about the medical field and how I can help others through nursing!”

🎓Ellyson S. - "I am beyond grateful to receive this scholarship in honor of Riley I Whitelaw. I will be attending Colorado College and will study psychology and art. I plan to complete a masters in art therapy and then work as an art therapist. I wish to help people through their own artistic expression. I am looking forward to the unique block schedule of Colorado College and incredible opportunities the school has to offer. I will also be playing volleyball for my college team as a middle blocker. This summer I will be staying close to home due to my chemotherapy treatment schedule but I plan on spending quality time with my friends, family and creative endeavors."

🎓Cadence M. - "In the Fall, I will be attending Regis University where I will be majoring in marketing! I am looking forward to exploring the world of advertising and advocacy through the world of business. I am also excited to build long lasting connections and experience new opportunities. I am incredibly grateful to the Riley I Whitelaw Memorial Foundation for awarding me this scholarship."

🎓Olivia G. - "This fall I'm attending CSU for hospitality and event management I am looking forward to meeting new people and finding a community to be a part of!"

07/06/2026

Even through a challenging senior year, Elly’s perseverance and positive attitude is awe-inspiring. This is one of the many reasons we chose her as a 2026 Riley I Whitelaw Memorial Scholarship Recipient. She doesn’t just excel in the classroom or volleyball. She excels at finding the good things in really difficult circumstances and finds the strength to continue showing up for others.

Elly, we are cheering you on and know you’re going to do great things with your future!

“None of us had any idea she was as sick as she was,” said Air Academy volleyball coach Sarah Husemann.

“Everything she had could be explained by something else. … She showed up for her teammates and still gave everything she had. That’s a testament to what kind of person she is and what kind of player she is and how she loves her teammates.”
https://buff.ly/Mf7MELp

06/25/2026

2026 has been a milestone year and we expanded our scholarship offerings to include the Riley I Whitelaw Memorial Colorado Springs City-wide Career and Technical Education Scholarship.

This scholarship is specifically designed for students interested in associate degree or technical education certificates.

Gabriel M., is our first recipient for this scholarship and graduated from Rampart High School. We are in awe of his perseverance and ability to offer deep self-reflection.

This fall, Gabriel will continue on at Pikes Peak State College where he will study Automotive Collision Technology and work towards an Associates Degree in Applied Science.

"I am looking forward to using that degree to get a stable job in the automotive detailing industry."

Congratulations, Gabriel and good luck this fall Pikes Peak State College!

06/18/2026

Wow were we impressed with the applicant pool for our 1st COS City-wide 4yr College Scholarship! Our four recipients are impressive.

🎓Greta K. received the Riley & Poppi HumanKIND Legacy Scholarship of $10,000 over 4 years. Greta has created a legacy worth highlighting with her afterschool soccer program. It highlights the importance of community and connection by not just keeping kids physically active. It connects high school student coaches to elementary school kids. Giving them a sense of purpose and belonging. Greta worked on this throughout high school, fine-tuning it to make sure it continues on. She demonstrates the meaning of a humble "servant".

Here's what Greta looks forward to next: "In the fall I will attend Dartmouth College. I plan to major in quantitative social science and minor in international studies and public policy. I can’t wait to continue learning, meeting new people, and building community together."

The following giving students will receive 1x scholarships for the 1st yr of college.

🎓Lillian W. plans to become a pediatric physical therapist and knows she has lots of schooling ahead of her! Even though her interest is pediatrics, she worked on a program that connects high school students with the elderly. She recognized the isolation seniors often feel, connected them to students willing to learn more about them and help share their legacies through JAWS and "Miles of Memories".

🎓Aryan T. is not only an entrepreneur but took a recycling project seriously in how it benefits community. He designed a container to make it easier to recycle and educated others as to it's importance. Here is what he is looking forward to next: "I'll be attending CO School of Mines to study Electrical Engineering and Business. I'm excited to begin a new chapter and look forward to making lifelong connections by contributing to the undergraduate community."

🎓Marissa M. created a Gold Award project "You Are Not Alone" and made it part of a lasting legacy at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Colorado. She plans to study microbiology and minor in music and honors at U of Wyoming. Her dream job: Professor of Microbiology and perform cancer research.

06/11/2026

Today, we honor Riley by lighting a candle in heartbreak, love and great reverence for her. Grief is love.

06/02/2026

It's been a big year of growth for us and we are so honored to celebrate ALL of our Scholarship and Grant Recipients!

As a quick recap, we offered a variety of scholarships and grant programs as follows:

- Inaugural Colorado Springs City-wide Scholarship ($15,000 total offered to four students)
- Inaugural Colorado Springs City-wide Creative Grants ($3,500 total offered to seven students)
- Inaugural Colorado Springs City-wide Career and Technical Scholarship ($3,000 offered to one student)
- Inaugural Colorado Springs City-wide Teacher Grants ($2,000 total offered to four teachers)
- Fourth Annual Scholarships ($12,000 total offered to four students - part of this total includes money graciously raised by at the Riley I Whitelaw Music Festival)
- Two grants of $1,000 each offered to Air Academy Winterguard (.backstage ) and to contribute to their trip to World Championships in Dayton, OH.
- One $2,500 Grant to for to assist bereaved parents attend one of their wonderful grief retreats.

It is inspirational to be able to play a small role in helping lift others up academically, creatively, professionally and lovingly in these ways.

Thank you to those who have continued to donate to our nonprofit and seeing our shared mission of kindness matters!

Special thank you to our Board of Advisors and Scholarship and Grant Committee who have been an integral part to being able to carry out our mission.

We will post more about our recipients soon. Until then scroll our lists to celebrate them!

Be on the lookout for our 2026-27 City-wide Creative (mid-August) and Teacher (mid-July) grant applications to open. These will only be open for a short period!

05/06/2026

We are just getting started in a season of awarding scholarship and grant recipients. There’s no better way to kick it off than by giving a total of $12,000 to four standout 2026 seniors at Riley’s alma mater at ! We will share more about these standout students soon but we’re busy finalizing our other selections for our city-wide scholarships and grants! Stay tuned!

Congrats, Kadets!

04/14/2026

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