Ford Family Scholarship Celebrates 10 Years of Remarkable Impact

Ten years ago, a community-minded family established a scholarship fund that would change the lives of many students in their community, and now we are celebrating the impact of the first decade of that fund.

The Ford Family Scholarship, started at the Community Foundation of Central Alberta (CFCAB) by Penhold community members Eileen and Stewart Ford, was established with the goal of alleviating the financial barriers faced by students pursuing post-secondary education. Over the past decade, this family’s commitment has resulted in an incredible $245,000 awarded to deserving students.

The scholarship was initiated by the Ford family’s belief that education is the basis of success, change, and the chance for a better life. Eileen Ford, co-founder of the Ford Family Scholarship, said “we were interested in the ability to invest in something that would continue beyond our lifetimes.”

Started in 2014, the fund annually distributed five to six scholarships of $5,000 each, given to students graduating from Penhold Crossing School. In 2024, in recognition of the rising costs of post-secondary education, the scholarship amount was doubled and now each scholarship is $10,000. The initial investment will allow this fund to open doors for Penhold students for years to come, fostering support and motivation among students at the school.

Erin Peden, Executive Director of CFCAB, said “the impact of the Ford’s generosity and foresight is profound.”

Peden continued, “as we look back on the last 10 years, we are blown away by the number – $245,000 is a remarkable amount of financial support. But the impact of this fund extends beyond numbers to the stories of determination and success that have been made possible by these scholarships. There are powerful stories of students overcoming obstacles, pursuing passions, and embracing new opportunities, all because of one family’s commitment to increasing accessibility to education.”

The Ford Family Scholarships continues to build a legacy that nurtures future leaders within Penhold and inspires others to consider how they can contribute to educational opportunities within their own communities.