Cumberland Community Foundation announces over $1,000,000 in scholarship awards

By Staff Report, posted May 21, 2026 on BizFayetteville.com

Cumberland Community Foundation announced $1,042,300 in new and renewed scholarships at its annual scholarship awards reception on May 20, 2026. Students, family members, scholarship committee volunteers and donors attended the annual event held at Cape Fear Botanical Garden.

“For the third year, we are awarding over a million dollars in scholarships,” said Mary Holmes, CEO of Cumberland Community Foundation. “We continue to work with donors to grow this program and open the doors of opportunity for local students.”

Each year, students apply in two separate award cycles:

The Robert H. Short Scholars Program is a last-dollar-in scholarship program available to high school seniors who graduate in Cumberland County, NC and will attend any accredited public university or nonprofit private college or university. Students may apply in the fall of their senior year of high school. Awards of up to $30,000 are made possible by a $10 million gift in the will of the late Robert H. “Bob” Short, a local businessman and quiet philanthropist who valued education. Sixteen members of the Class of 2026 will receive a total of $480,000. Visit www.cumberlandcf.org to learn more about Mr. Robert H. “Bob” Short. (Online readers CLICK HERE)
The Community Scholarship Program is available via online application every February with applications due in late March. Awards range in size from $1,000 to $10,000 and are made possible by individuals, families, and civic groups, such as Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and Cape Fear Kiwanis Club.

Two scholarships were awarded for the first time this year.

“We are honored to be part of creating these legacies and helping local students go to college,” said Holmes in a press release.

The Cosmas D. Eaglin, Sr., M. Vera Rochon Eaglin, and Paul B. Eaglin Scholarship is available to Cumberland County high school seniors who have proven financial need and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
The Cooney-Wilderman Leadership Scholarship is available to Cumberland County high school seniors who have a cumulative GPA of between 2.5 and 3.5 and demonstrate proven leadership skills and abilities, as evidenced by active leadership roles in areas such as sports, student government, band, employment, or other extracurricular activities.

Awards are announced each May at the annual CCF Scholarship Awards Reception. Visit the foundation’s website at www.cumberlandcf.org “Scholarships” for a list of recipients for the 2026/2027 academic year.

Established in 1980, Cumberland Community Foundation is a nonprofit charitable foundation that helps donors to create endowments that support favorite causes forever. The foundation manages over 650 individual charitable funds totaling over $165 million. For more information go to www.cumberlandcf.org or call Cumberland Community Foundation at 910-483-4449.

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