More than $120,000 in total scholarship support was distributed in 2026

The Guilford Foundation (TGF) is pleased to announce that 38 scholarships and awards totaling $81,300 have been presented to graduating seniors from Guilford High School, a $10,000 increase from 2025.

Made possible through donor-established component funds at the Foundation, the scholarships support students pursuing a wide range of educational paths, including four-year colleges, community colleges, vocational schools, and specialized programs of study.

The awards were presented during Guilford High School’s annual Scholarship Night, one of the most inspirational evenings of the year for students, families, donors, and community members.

“It is a tremendous honor to celebrate these students and the people who make these scholarships possible,” said Executive Director Liza Janssen Petra. “Many of our scholarship funds were created to honor loved ones, preserve family legacies, or reflect a donor’s passion for a particular field of study. Scholarship Night brings those stories to life while recognizing students who embody those same values and aspirations.”

TGF partners closely with the Guilford High School Counseling Department throughout the scholarship selection process to thoughtfully match students with awards based on their academic interests, career goals, achievements, community involvement, and individual circumstances.

The Foundation’s scholarship program continues to grow thanks to its endowment model, which allows donor generosity to create opportunities not only for today’s students, but for generations to come.

“Connecting our fund holders and scholarship families with these remarkable young people is incredibly rewarding,” said Petra. “The evening is about much more than financial assistance. It is a celebration of achievement, community, and the lasting impact of philanthropy.”

While Guilford High School Scholarship Night accounts for the largest share of TGF’s annual scholarship awards, it is only part of the Foundation’s overall educational impact. In 2026, TGF also awarded $2,700 through the Allison Varian Scholarship Fund for students attending The Sound School and distributed $36,850 through the Guilford A Better Chance Scholarship Program, which provides multi-year support to graduates as they pursue their college education.

In addition, several Foundation funds provide specialized scholarship opportunities that operate outside of the traditional application process, supporting students in areas such as music, vocational training, and other fields of interest identified by donors.

Through its scholarship funds, The Guilford Foundation distributed more than $120,000 in educational support in 2026, helping students pursue their goals while honoring the generosity and legacies of the donors who make these opportunities possible.

The Guilford Foundation extends its heartfelt congratulations to all scholarship recipients and wishes them success as they begin the next chapter of their educational journeys.

The list of GHS students who received the recieved TGF Scholarship includes: