The Poarch Band of Creek Indians establishes $1 million Scholarship Fund at The Community Foundation of South Alabama

ATMORE, Ala., July 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Poarch Band of Creek Indians (PCI) has approved the creation of a $1 million scholarship fund to benefit high school graduates in the State of Alabama and parts of the Florida Panhandle. On Tuesday, PCI made an initial $250,000 contribution to The Community Foundation of South Alabama to establish The Poarch Creek Indian Community Scholarship Fund and committed an additional $750,000 for 2016. This Fund will award two scholarships annually to one male and one female residing in Alabama or the following Florida Counties: Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Washington and Gadsden. Scholarship recipients will be selected and awarded by The Community Foundation of South Alabama on an annual basis. As an endowed fund, all contributions will be pooled with the Foundation's assets and invested, causing the fund to grow over time. As the fund grows, the amount of the award will fluctuate. In the first year, the selected students are expected to receive up to $6,000 each.

"We are so proud to make this contribution, and to partner with The Community Foundation of South Alabama.  Education is the catalyst that can help individuals attain their career goals, and we are honored to help them reach for these goals that may have otherwise been unattainable," said Stephanie A. Bryan, Tribal Chair/CEO, Poarch Band of Creek Indians.

"The Poarch tribe is once again supporting the community of southwest Alabama in a way that will give back to younger generations alive today and yet to come," said Rebecca Byrne, President and CEO of The Community Foundation of South Alabama. "Through this gift, the tribe recognizes and enables education as the most important way people can lift themselves up and in so doing lift up the whole community." The Poarch Band of Creek Indians is no stranger to philanthropy, providing funding for a wide variety of community services and projects in our region. The Foundation is thrilled for the opportunity to partner with such a unique entity to advance the quality of life for all in our region both now and in the future.

Scholarships will be awarded beginning in 2016. For more information on scholarship eligibility and how to apply, visit www.communityfoundationsa.org/scholarships.

About The Community Foundation of South Alabama

The Community Foundation of South Alabama is a nonprofit charitable organization that plays a key role in meeting the needs of an eight-county region through leadership and grants. The Foundation serves as a vessel for donors, volunteers and the community to share ideas, identify issues and build financial resources necessary to make improvements and positively impact the community. The Foundation administers a collection of charitable funds established by members of the community. Since its founding in 1976, the Foundation has awarded more than $75 million in grants to nonprofit organizations to support programs that make life better in the community. The Community Foundation builds lasting endowments to ensure grants are available to support the community forever.

About the Poarch Band of Creek Indians

The Poarch Band of Creek Indians is the only federally recognized Indian Tribe in the state of Alabama, operating as a sovereign nation with its own system of government and bylaws. The Tribe operates a variety of economic enterprises, which employ hundreds of area residents. The Poarch Band of Creek Indians is an active partner in the state of Alabama, contributing to economic, educational, social and cultural projects benefiting both tribal members and residents of these local communities and neighboring towns.

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SOURCE Poarch Band of Creek Indians