The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties is proud to announce a new partnership with the Vernon-Verona-Sherrill (VVS) Education Foundation, a collaboration designed to strengthen higher education opportunities for students in the VVS School District for years to come.

Through this partnership, more than 50 scholarships established through the VVS Education Foundation to support VVS students will now be managed in partnership with the Community Foundation, providing expanded administrative support and an enhanced student application experience. The VVS Education Foundation will remain actively involved. It will serve as the application review and selection committee for all awards, and as the liaison to community members and alumni who currently have or are interested in creating a scholarship.

“This partnership represents an important step forward for both organizations,” said Ally Campbell, grant and scholarship strategist at the Community Foundation. “By working together, we are strengthening our shared mission to support education while leveraging our collective expertise to better serve students and donors alike. We are excited to see the long-term impact this collaboration will have on the students in the VVS School District.”

Since 1983, the VVS Education Foundation—formerly known as VVS Dollars for Scholars—has provided scholarships for district students seeking to attend college. All of the scholarship funding is raised locally from individuals, businesses, civic organizations, charitable groups, and families. Over $2 million has been raised and awarded to over 2,000 VVS students to date.

The VVS Education Foundation is volunteer-led, and this partnership highlights the value of shared support in managing the program’s administrative and operational demands. By stepping in to support these more time-intensive responsibilities, the Community Foundation enables the volunteers to focus on what they do best—connecting with their community and making a meaningful difference in the lives of students.

“As an all-volunteer organization, sustainability matters,” explained VVS Education Foundation Treasurer Kathy Woodbury. “This collaboration with the Community Foundation not only

supports our memorial and honorary scholarships, but also opens doors to new opportunities, including technical scholarships. Together, we’re building a stronger, more viable path for future generations and we can’t wait to see what lies ahead.”

Scholarship applications are due March 31, 2026, and the scholarships will be presented at an award ceremony in June. Students interested in applying should visit vvsfoundation.com or foundationhoc.org/vvs to learn more.

Those interested in establishing a scholarship to benefit VVS students are encouraged to connect with the VVS Education Foundation at vvseducationfoundation@gmail.com.