1854 Foundation Scholarship Program
Academic Year 2026-2027
Mission and Background of the 1854 Foundation
The 1854 Foundation supports local, regional, national, and international amateur sports competition; preserves and maintains public facilities and artifacts related to amateur athletics; and enhances the local community’s environmental health, beautification, and stabilization.
The 1854 Foundation was founded to serve as the means by which the Philadelphia Cricket Club, as a whole, can honor its past through continued generosity to those beyond its walls. The 1854 Foundation serves to foster this stewardship in the areas of history & heritage, the sporting world, our communities & natural environment.
Purpose
The Philadelphia Cricket Club is committed to being a strong steward within the communities it serves. Aligned with the Club’s leadership in environmental and community stewardship, the 1854 Foundation established this scholarship to support students pursuing degrees and careers in the broad fields of Environmental Studies, Liberal Arts and the Social Sciences, Physical Education and Sports Management and Programming.
This scholarship aims to empower the next generation of leaders who are passionate about sustainability, heritage preservation, and the advancement of amateur athletics.
Fields of Study
Applicants should be interested in pursuing, or intend to pursue, studies in one of the following areas (or closely related fields such as those delineated below):
● Environmental Studies – Sustainability, Ecology, Agronomy, Turf Management, or similar disciplines.
● Liberal Arts and the Social Sciences – English, History, Archaeology, Preservation, Journalism or related fields.
● Physical Education and Sports – Sports Management, Sports Health and Sciences, Youth Development, Physical Education, or related studies.
Note: The specific accredited institution or program listed on the application is not binding; however, the declared field of study must align with the scholarship’s purpose.
Eligibility
● Open to all persons
● Applicants must be either:
○ High school seniors (Grade 12) planning to attend an accredited college or university, or
○ College students currently enrolled at an accredited post-secondary institution with a primary residence within the Philadelphia Metropolitan Area
● Applicants must demonstrate a clear academic and career interest in one of the eligible fields of study.
● Consideration will be given to applicants who demonstrate financial need, where the scholarship meaningfully reduces the household financial burden of attending college.
Award Details
● Award Amount: $5,000 per academic year.
● Renewable: Annually, for a maximum of four years or until undergraduate degree completion (up to $20,000 total)
● Use of Funds: Scholarship funds must be applied directly toward the recipient’s Full Cost of Education (tuition, fees, books, or required materials).
● Payment: Funds will be disbursed directly to the academic institution by August 1 of each academic year.
● Conditions and Details Agreement: must be signed and award requirements fulfilled prior to funding.
Renewal Criteria
To maintain eligibility for renewal, recipients must:
● Remain in good academic standing with their college or university.
● Continue enrollment in a field of study consistent with the scholarship’s purpose.
● Submit renewal documentation as requested by The 1854 Foundation.
Application Process
● Application Opens: January 15
● Application Deadline: March 15
● Scholarship Recipients Announced: April 15
● Funds Distributed: By August 15 (directly to academic institution)
Applicants will be evaluated based on sound field of study alignment, commitment to community and environmental stewardship, sound academics and demonstrated financial need.
How to Apply
Applicants must download and complete the official digital application form HERE, which includes Name, Address, Contact Information, High School, Intended Higher Educational Institution's Name and Address, and Areas of Study. Please fill this out and attach it to your submission email.
In your email, be sure to include:
● Brief Personal Statement: Choice for written or video submission - Describe your academic interests, career goals, and alignment with the Foundation’s mission. Include your involvement in community service, organizations, leadership roles, awards, and achievements. Additional comments concerning personal circumstances requiring grit, perseverance or resilience are encouraged.
● Courses taken and grades – self reported
● Two Letters of Recommendation:
○ One from a teacher or academic advisor, and
○ One from a non-family member familiar with your character, community involvement, or extracurricular activities.
● Demonstration of Financial Need
○ Tax and FAFSA information is NOT required, though written demonstration of household need and mitigating circumstances such as unemployment, medical issues or multiple tuitions within the household will be considered.
Contact Information
For questions or additional information, or to submit your application, please contact: 1854 Foundation Scholarship Committee -Scholarships@1854foundation.org