What is the Lexington Scholarship Committee?
The Lexington Scholarship Committee gives financial awards to deserving Lexington students to be applied to the cost of their post-secondary undergraduate education.
What is your connection to the Town of Lexington?
We are a private organization whose funds are managed by the Lexington Trustees for the Public Trust.
How large are the scholarship awards?
The number and amount of scholarships given each year are determined by the amount of money we raised during the previous year. Our awards range from $1,500 to $3,000. We increase the size of our awards as we raise more money.
How much money have you given out?
In 2023 we disbursed $173,500 to 56 students. This was our sixty-seventh year as a committee, having started in 1956.
Are there any restrictions on who is awarded scholarships?
Scholarships are available to students who are Lexington residents at the time of graduation from Lexington High School, Minuteman High School or Lexington Christian Academy.
Are scholarships only for graduating seniors?
No. Students with continued financial need may apply for each of their four undergraduate years. Receiving a scholarship one year does not guarantee a scholarship every year, and a new application must be filled out each year.
How do you choose students?
Applications are available on this website. Members of the committee personally interview all students who apply for scholarships. Final decisions, based primarily on financial need, are made after the committee has reviewed all applications.
How do you raise money?
This November we sent an Annual Appeal Letter. In addition, town residents may make donations using the tax check off option on their May and November property tax bills. If you choose to donate using the tax check off option you must still pay your entire tax bill to the town. Your donation to the Scholarship Committee is in addition to your tax bill.
Are donations immediately given as awards, or are they used to build equity?
All donations are immediately given as awards. Money raised by the biannual tax check off goes directly to the Lexington Scholarship Fund. The money in this fund is managed and invested by the Trustees of Public Trusts, and the income goes directly to scholarships. Some donors choose to establish named funds, and their donations go directly to those funds.
What are named funds?
Named funds are established with a minimum donation of $10,000. These funds memorialize a deceased loved one, honor a living individual or individuals, group or corporate entity, or are created anonymously in the spirit of community giving. Additions to funds may be made at any time.
Who manages the named funds?
The funds are managed by the Trustees of Public Trusts. Trustees are Lexington residents appointed by the Board of Selectmen to administer, invest and disburse funds of trusts and moneys bequeathed or donated to the town for specific public purposes. These trusts exist in perpetuity and are managed by the town at no cost to the trust.
Can I give appreciated securities?
Yes. We can accept a wide variety of assets and can accommodate a donor’s financial and estate planning objectives, taking care of all the necessary paperwork at no cost.
Is my gift tax-deductible?
Yes, your gift is tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.
The Lexington Scholarship Committee gives financial awards to deserving Lexington students to be applied to the cost of their post-secondary undergraduate education.
What is your connection to the Town of Lexington?
We are a private organization whose funds are managed by the Lexington Trustees for the Public Trust.
How large are the scholarship awards?
The number and amount of scholarships given each year are determined by the amount of money we raised during the previous year. Our awards range from $1,500 to $3,000. We increase the size of our awards as we raise more money.
How much money have you given out?
In 2023 we disbursed $173,500 to 56 students. This was our sixty-seventh year as a committee, having started in 1956.
Are there any restrictions on who is awarded scholarships?
Scholarships are available to students who are Lexington residents at the time of graduation from Lexington High School, Minuteman High School or Lexington Christian Academy.
Are scholarships only for graduating seniors?
No. Students with continued financial need may apply for each of their four undergraduate years. Receiving a scholarship one year does not guarantee a scholarship every year, and a new application must be filled out each year.
How do you choose students?
Applications are available on this website. Members of the committee personally interview all students who apply for scholarships. Final decisions, based primarily on financial need, are made after the committee has reviewed all applications.
How do you raise money?
This November we sent an Annual Appeal Letter. In addition, town residents may make donations using the tax check off option on their May and November property tax bills. If you choose to donate using the tax check off option you must still pay your entire tax bill to the town. Your donation to the Scholarship Committee is in addition to your tax bill.
Are donations immediately given as awards, or are they used to build equity?
All donations are immediately given as awards. Money raised by the biannual tax check off goes directly to the Lexington Scholarship Fund. The money in this fund is managed and invested by the Trustees of Public Trusts, and the income goes directly to scholarships. Some donors choose to establish named funds, and their donations go directly to those funds.
What are named funds?
Named funds are established with a minimum donation of $10,000. These funds memorialize a deceased loved one, honor a living individual or individuals, group or corporate entity, or are created anonymously in the spirit of community giving. Additions to funds may be made at any time.
Who manages the named funds?
The funds are managed by the Trustees of Public Trusts. Trustees are Lexington residents appointed by the Board of Selectmen to administer, invest and disburse funds of trusts and moneys bequeathed or donated to the town for specific public purposes. These trusts exist in perpetuity and are managed by the town at no cost to the trust.
Can I give appreciated securities?
Yes. We can accept a wide variety of assets and can accommodate a donor’s financial and estate planning objectives, taking care of all the necessary paperwork at no cost.
Is my gift tax-deductible?
Yes, your gift is tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.