The Chemeketa Foundation
Together, we make college possible. Together, we change lives.
Foundation Scholarships Make College Possible
In 1973, a small group of dedicated community members joined together offering small loans to student-parents trying to earn their degree. Fifty years later, the Chemeketa Foundation has evolved to support hundreds of students each year through more than 140 unique scholarships and assistance funds.
Chemeketa Foundation's Role
With your help, the Chemeketa Foundation provides resources, opportunity and hope to students in need. Some of our current funding priorities include –
- Childcare scholarships for student parents
- First generation college student support
- Students in specific programs like nursing, fire science and automotive
- Funding for our College Inside program for incarcerated students
- Emergency student reliefs funds including our on-campus food pantry
The 2024 STARS reception was a very special event. Held in May at the Salem Convention Center, this is an opportunity for our donors and recipients to come together sharing stories and celebrating a successful school year. True to its form, it was an emotional afternoon where donors had the opportunity to meet their scholarship recipients and hear their stories. We captured the afternoon event on video for all to enjoy.
You can watch directly on YouTube.
Apply for Scholarships February 1 - April 15 for the upcoming academic year
All new and returning students can apply for Chemeketa Foundation scholarships through one online application by visiting chemeketa.academicworks.com. You will be automatically matched with scholarships meeting your qualifications based on the responses in your application.
Our main application window is once a year from February 1 - April 15. Apply by April 15 to be considered for scholarships during the following academic year. There may be an additional application openings during the summer and fall terms for second round awards. Learn more about applying for Chemeketa Foundation scholarships here.
Making a donation
You can help make college possible for Chemeketa students. To make a tax-deductible, one-time or recurring donation to a specific scholarship fund or establish a new scholarship, visit go.chemeketa.edu/donate. Contact us for more information.
- You can use our online giving site to make a one-time or recurring gift via debit or credit card
- You can also give by sending a check made payable to 'Chemeketa Foundation' by mail to –
4000 Lancaster Dr. NE
Salem, OR 97305 - Additional giving options include making a Planned Gift as part of your estate plan, a transfer of stock, vehicle donations to our auto or emergency services programs, and/or non-cash contributions of materials and equipment toward our programs.
When you give through the Chemeketa Foundation, 100% of all gifts received directly support our students and/or programs. The Foundation is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization governed by a volunteer board of directors. Gifts to the Foundation are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law, tax ID # 93-6097106.