DirectLink (Formerly Canby Telephone Association) Scholarships

The DirectLink scholarship was established in 1991, funded by a grant from the Canby Telephone Association (currently DirectLink) to the Canby Rotary Foundation. Its purpose is to assist graduating seniors and current college students whose families live in their service territory and are current customers.

Multiple scholarships will be awarded for $2,500 each.

Minimum Requirements:

• Applicant must be a current high school senior or a college student progressing satisfactorily toward graduation.
• Applicants must be a current DirectLink subscriber in the Canby serving area or legally residing with an immediate family member who is a subscriber or customer of DirectLink.
• High school applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 through the 11th trimester.
• College student applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 through the last completed term or semester.

Peterson Memorial Scholarship

Don Peterson was an active community leader and a founding member of the Rotary Club of Canby, serving as the club president from 1983 to 84. This scholarship is funded by DirectLink and intended to recognize outstanding leadership of a Canby High School senior.

One scholarship will be awarded for $2,500.

Minimum Requirements:

• Applicant must be a senior at Canby High School with a 3.0 GPA or higher.
• Strong writing skills are required.
• Applicant must have strong leadership abilities as demonstrated by:
• Vision and perseverance to see a project to completion (e.g. Non-profit fundraising, community improvement, unique science experiment, etc.)
• Led a project or created a new initiative and followed through with it as an office of student government, club sport, or other organization.

Richard Brown Scholarship

This scholarship is in honor of Richard (Dick) Brown who was an educator, coach, and one of the founding members of the Rotary Club of Canby. The Canby Fine Arts Center was named for him after he retired as superintendent of the Canby School District. Dick was a strong believer in a well-rounded education which includes those important lessons learned outside of the classroom.

Two scholarships will be awarded for $4,000 each.

Minimum Requirements:

• Applicant must be a Canby High School senior or a college student progressing satisfactorily toward graduation.
• Applicant's permanent address must be within the Canby School District attendance area.
• High school applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 through the 11th trimester.
• College student applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 through the last completed term or semester
• Applicant plans to attend or is currently attending a small college in the Pacific Northwest such as Linfield, Pacific, University of Portland, University of Puget Sound, Seattle Pacific, George Fox or other similar institution.
• Applicant must be involved in extracurricular activities including but not limited to sports, music or drama with the intention of continuing one or more of these activities in college.
• Preference will be given for applicants who have overcome obstacles in their lifetime, such as family issues, learning or physical impairments.

Canby Rotary Scholarships

The Canby Rotary Foundation awards multiple scholarships, both to Canby High School graduating seniors and current college students based on need, merit, and contribution to the local community.

Multiple scholarships will be awarded for a minimum of $2,500.

Minimum Requirements:

• Applicant must be a current high school senior or a college student progressing satisfactorily toward graduation.
• Applicant must be a senior at Canby High School or have a permanent address within the Canby School District attendance area.
• High school applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 through the 11th trimester.
• College student applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 through the last completed term or semester.

Ray and Jeanne Reif Family Scholarship

This scholarship honors the legacy of Ray and Jeanne Reif. Ray was the Vocational Ag teacher at Canby High School and then an attorney with a successful practice in Canby and his wife Jeanne was a teacher and community leader. CHS seniors and graduates who will be attending an Oregon public institution of higher learning in 2025 are eligible for this scholarship. Preference will be given to students pursuing a career in law, agriculture or teaching.

One scholarship will be awarded for $4,500.

Minimum Requirements:

• Applicant must be a Canby High School senior or graduate
• Students must be attending or plan to attend an Oregon public institution of higher learning
• Preference will be given to students who want to pursue a career in the fields of agriculture, law or teaching as exemplified by Canby vocational ag teacher and attorney Raymond Reif and his wife Jeanne who was also a teacher and community leader
• Applicants will provide a short essay (250 words or less) on how they envision their life will impact society twenty years from now

Matthew Dewar Memorial Scholarship

In November 2021, Matthew Dewar, a junior at Country Christian school, was killed tragically in an automotive accident while driving his siblings to school. Matthew was a student athlete with a strong belief in God, actively participating in his church. This scholarship is offered in memory of Matthew, a truly unique young man.

One scholarship for $6,000 will be awarded in memory of Matthew.

Minimum Requirements:

• Applicant must be a current high school student with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Applicant's permanent address must be within the Canby School District attendance area.
• Applicant must be a student athlete with the intention of participating in sports in college.
• Active participation in a local church is required. Frank Cutsforth Memorial Scholarship
• Applicant must be a current high school senior at Canby High School or a college student progressing satisfactorily toward graduation.
• Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 through the most recent term or trimester.
• Applicant's permanent address must be within the Canby School District attendance area.
• Applicant must be involved in extracurricular activities including but not limited to sports, music, religion, and drama.
• Applicants will provide a short essay explaining how they have had, or plan to have, a positive impact on the Canby community

Frank Cutsforth Memorial Scholarship

Frank Cutsforth was a third-generation grocer and a pillar of our community before his passing in November 2023. His family has been in the independent grocery business in Canby continuously since 1928, and during that time their heart for Canby was evident to everyone they encountered. Frank joined Canby Rotary in 1989, serving as president in 1994/95. As a business owner and a member of Canby Rotary, his service to Canby is unmeasurable. This scholarship will honor Frank’s memory and his dedication to this community which he dearly loved.

One scholarship for $5,000 will be awarded to honor Frank’s commitment to the Canby community and his dedicated service to Canby Rotary.

Canby Advantage Magazine Scholarship

The Canby Advantage Magazine scholarship is available to both High School graduating seniors and current college students who are pursuing a career in Journalism or Graphic Design. The award will be based on need, merit, and the applicant’s contribution to their local community.

One scholarship will be awarded for $2,500.

Minimum Requirements:

• Applicant must be a current Canby or North Marion high school senior or a college student progressing satisfactorily toward graduation.
• Applicants must be pursuing a degree in Journalism or Graphic Design.
• Applicant's permanent address must be within the Canby or North Marion School District boundaries.
• High school applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 through the 11th trimester.
• College student applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 through the last completed term or semester

Questions regarding the scholarships available through the Canby Rotary Foundation or additional information regarding the application process can be sent via e-mail to Charlie Stinson <cestin970@gmail.com>.

Click here for a listing of the Sponsored Scholarship Requirements from the Canby Rotary.