WWIF Scholarships

The Foundation Fund was established in June 2013 as an endowed fund by the Foundation Board of Directors. [With confirmation from their respective families] The initial endowment was created using the Charles Lill, Michael Manz, Glenn Coogan, John Farmer, Industry Need, and Rainy Day Funds.

The number of Foundation Fund Scholarships awarded each year is determined annually. Award amounts range from $2,000 to $10,000 for the Washington State students studying viticulture, enology, wine business management at CWU or WSU, and V&E Graduate Degree food sciences.

2025 Recipients: Alyssa Perez, Briley Ingram, Grace Dammen, Hailey Stocker, Jesse Stevens, Lilian Perry, Mackenzie Aragon, Roldan Moreno, Steven Arellano

WALTER J. CLORE SCHOLARSHIP (CLORE)

The Walter J. Clore Scholarship was established in 1997 by the Washington Winegrowers Association in honor of Dr. Clore’s grape research and lifetime achievements in the fields of viticulture and enology. Working with growers, Dr. Clore and his colleagues published information on grape varieties, diseases, insects, mineral nutrition, irrigation, cover crops, weed control, and climatological effects. He also tested various trellis designs, which eventually led to the widespread adoption of mechanical harvesting.

The number of Walter J. Clore Scholarships awarded each year is determined annually. Award amounts start at $1,000 for students studying any wine or viticulture related discipline.

HORSE HEAVEN HILLS WINE GROWERS SCHOLARSHIP (HHH)

Horse Heaven Hills Wine Growers is a nonprofit group of grape growers and winemakers established in 2005. The Horse Heaven Hills Wine Growers Scholarship fund was established by members of the group who are dedicated to promoting education of the grape growing and wine producing industries in Washington.

Every year, two (2) $3,000 scholarships are awarded for students interested in studying viticulture, enology, wine business management, or wine-related hospitality. Preference is given to students who are residents of Klickitat, Benton, or Yakima counties and whose parent(s) are employed in the Washington wine industry.

GEORGE & SUSAN CARTER SCHOLARSHIP (CARTER)

The George & Susan Carter Scholarship was established in 2017 as an endowed fund in honor of Washington State University researcher and winemaker George Carter and his wife, Susan. George worked side by side with Dr. Walter Clore and the two were close friends. As part of his day-to-day activities, Carter developed a system for classifying American, European, and hybrid grape varietals. In recognition of his wine-making accomplishments, Carter was elevated to a Supreme Knight in the International Brotherhood of the Knights of the Vine.

The George & Susan Carter Scholarship is a $1,000 auto-renewing scholarship awarded to one student for up to four years. This scholarship was established to assist students of limited means to attain associates, bachelors, and graduate-level degrees in viticulture and enology.

ALBERT DON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP (DON)

The Albert Don Memorial Scholarships was established in 2021 in honor of Albert Don, a respected innovator in the ag and grape community. Albert was a lifelong resident of Prosser where he started his career with Wyckoff Farms and stayed for over 30 years. He played the role of not only farmer, but also of innovator with mechanical pruning, hedging, and mechanical thinning practices that led the industry. In 2003, he earned the Washington Winegrowers Association’s ‘Grower of the Year’ award to recognize his demonstrated viticultural skills that provide impact in the vineyard and in the bottle–creating the atmosphere of a perfect grape in the vineyard.

The Albert Don Memorial Scholarship will annually award $3,000 to one student pursuing an education in viticulture or wine business management.

ALLIANCE OF WOMEN IN WASHINGTON WINE SCHOLARSHIP (AWWAW)

The Alliance of Women in Washington Wine Scholarship is established in 2021 by The Alliance of Women in Washington Wine to inspire, connect, and advance the future workforce of the wine industry. One $5,000 scholarship is awarded to a female student pursuing any viticulture or enology related program.

2026 SCHOLARSHIP INSTRUCTIONS

If you are a student interested in pursuing higher education in viticulture, enology, and future wine-related studies, we want to help get you there!

The Foundation is home to several scholarships created by and on behalf of Washington wine industry leaders  because they believe in you, the future of our industry. This year, those scholarships include:

• Albert Don Memorial Scholarship
• Alliance of Women in Washington Wine Scholarship
• Foundation Scholarship(s)
• George & Susan Carter Scholarship
• Horse Heaven Hills Scholarships
• Walter J. Clore Scholarship

You may quality for one or multiple scholarships. Either way, you only need to submit one application. Completed applications are reviewed by a Scholarship Committee, who makes a recommendation to the Foundation Board of Directors on awards.

An application is considered complete when all items have been submitted by the scholarship deadline. Follow these instructions for the greatest success in your application process.

SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFICATIONS:

Each scholarship has a unique set of qualifications and some give preference to applicants that meet specific criteria. Review the qualifications to know which scholarships you should apply for, and give yourself time to submit additional information that may qualify your application for preferential treatment.

Recipients are selected without regard to race, sex, color, ethnic origin, religious belief, marital status, or physical handicap.

APPLICATION:

Before you begin filling out the application, we recommend gathering some information in advance, including:

• Your overall college GPA, if you are enrolled in college
• Your overall high school GPA, if you are not yet enrolled in college
• Your extracurricular activities, awards, work experience, leadership roles, and/or community involvement  especially those that relate to the wine industry and/or your intended are of study
• Your estimated expenses (tuition, books, student fees, room & board, and child care) for the 2026-2027 school year
• An estimate of other expected fund contributions toward your estimated 2026-2027 school expenses
• 250-300-word essay as a letter to a future you. What do you want this version of you to know? Are there values, advice or goals you want them to remember? How do you see the world and you in it at this point in the future?

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

Letters of recommendation should provide the Scholarship Committee with insight into your character, values, and unique attributes. Two (2) letters are required. The information included in letters of recommendation is confidential for the Foundation Scholarship Committee’s use in scoring applicants only.

Please request letters from people who know you well and can add to what we’ve learned about you through your application. Examples of appropriate letter writes are teachers, mentors, volunteer supervisors, employers, etc. It is your responsibility to make sure we have received your letters of recommendation.

Each letter must:

1. Include the date written

2. Address the Foundation Scholarship Committee

3. Name of the scholarship applicant

4. Identify the applicant’s affiliation with you (teacher, advisor, employer, etc.)

5. Be signed by the writer

Recommendation letters will be uploaded by your recommenders directly onto your scholarship application.

OTHER REQUIRED INFORMATION

The following are also required to complete your application:

• Your official high school transcripts, if you are a freshman or sophomore in college/university
• Your official college transcripts, including current quarter/semester if you will be a junior, senior, or graduate student in college/university. Some scholarships give preference (not required) to students that demonstrate financial need, acceptance into a wine/grape industry related degree program, or parents employed in the Washington wine industry. If applicable, please provide:
• Letter of acceptance into wine/grape industry related degree program from department director
• A letter from your parent’s employer
  • Includes the employer’s name and contact information
  • Includes your parent’s name, position, and length of employment with the company

All transcripts and letters will be able to be uploaded directly onto your scholarship application.