Tom Thomas Leadership and Community Service Scholarship
Supporting emerging leaders in Upland, California
The Tom Thomas Leadership and Community Service Scholarship is intended to assist students from Upland who plan to pursue education beyond high school to eventually provide a leadership role in their community.
APPLICATION DEADLINE IS APRIL 7, 2025
*Updated applications will be available soon
This scholarship is supported by the Upland Community Foundation.
We are so grateful for their support! They are managing the donations for the Tom Thomas Leadership and Community Service Scholarship through their Foundation.
Remembering
Tom Thomas
Longtime community leader and advocate Tom Thomas died unexpectedly from a bicycling accident in February 2022. His dedication and service to Upland is immeasurable, including his 20 years as a member of the Upland City Council, four years as an Upland Planning Commissioner and leadership positions with countless organizations that benefited the community and its citizens, including chair of the Upland Community Foundation.
Among his many achievements and accomplishments, Tom co-founded and was an annual participant in the Tour de Foothills, one of the top bicycling events in California. He was on the boards of Foothill Family Shelter, Upland Sister City Association, Upland Police Foundation, Friends of the Upland Library and Cooper Museum. His community service and generosity also aided the Friends of Upland Animal Shelter, Inland Valley Repertory Theatre Ophelia’s Jump, Samaritan Counseling Center, Upland Skate Park, Upland Police Foundation and the Pacific Electric Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail.
With an especially strong interest in water, Tom was president of the boards of the San Antonio Water Company, West End Consolidated Water Company, Six Basins Watermaster and Pomona Valley Protective Association, and he served on the boards of the Agua De Lejos Water Facilities Authority and Chino Basin Watermaster and was a member of the Regional Wastewater Policy Committee under IEUA and the Upland Public Works Committee.
Information on the Scholarship
Who should apply?
The Tom Thomas Leadership and Community Service Scholarship is intended to assist students who are or were Upland residents or who attend or attended Upland schools who plan to pursue education beyond high school to eventually provide a leadership role in their community.
Qualifications
- Scholarship recipients will be selected based on information included in the application essay, self-declared academic information, leadership and participation in school and community activities and work experience.
- Scholarship recipients must be a current or former Upland resident who has attended or is attending an Upland school.
- Plan to enroll in full-time or part-time undergraduate study at an accredited two-year or four-year college or university, or a vocational-technical school for the 2025 fall semester.
Personal Statement
Include a personal statement (maximum 250 words per question) that addresses the following questions:
1. Why would this scholarship be meaningful to you?
2. Have you been involved with any types of community service or leadership activities? If so, please list and explain each role. (optional: include a letter of reference from your supervisor for these activities)
3. What are your future educational and/or career goals?
4. How would this scholarship help you achieve your educational and/or career goals?
Awards
- Applications are due April 7, 2025
- If selected as a recipient, the student will receive an award of up to $5,000.
- Awards are for undergraduate study. This includes university, community college, and trade school.
- Awards are not based solely on academic merit or financial need.
- Top candidates, as determined by the scholarship committee, may be invited to interview for the scholarship.
- Awards are not renewable, but students may reapply to the program each year they meet eligibility requirements.
- Applicants will be notified no later than June 2025.
- The Upland Community Foundation processes scholarship payments on behalf of the Tom Thomas Scholarship Committee. Payments are made in a single installment in fall 2025.
- The scholarship program grants awards without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, age, gender, disability or national origin.
Required Documents
- As part of your application, you must upload the following document(s):
Proof of current or past enrollment/attendance at a school in Upland, California. - Proof of current academic standing (most recent transcripts or grade/credit report and proof of enrollment or letter of acceptance to college, university or vocational school for fall 2025*)
*Please submit when available. - Include any additional documents or materials that demonstrate your interest.
Information on the Scholarship
Who should apply?
The Tom Thomas Leadership and Community Service Scholarship is intended to assist students who are or were Upland residents or who attend or attended Upland schools who plan to pursue education beyond high school to eventually provide a leadership role in their community.
Awards
- Applications are due
February 1st, 2024EXTENDED TO April 5, 2024 - If selected as a recipient, the student will receive an award of up to $5,000.
- Awards are for undergraduate study. This includes university, community college, and trade school.
- Awards are not based solely on academic merit or financial need.
- Top candidates, as determined by the scholarship committee, may be invited to interview for the scholarship.
- Awards are not renewable, but students may reapply to the program each year they meet eligibility requirements.
- Applicants will be notified no later than June 2024.
- The Upland Community Foundation processes scholarship payments on behalf of the Tom Thomas Scholarship Committee. Payments are made in a single installment in fall 2024.
- The scholarship program grants awards without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, age, gender, disability or national origin.
Qualifications
- Scholarship recipients will be selected based on information included in the application essay, self-declared academic information, leadership and participation in school and community activities and work experience.
- Scholarship recipients must be a current or former Upland resident who has attended or is attending an Upland school.
- Plan to enroll in full-time or part-time undergraduate study at an accredited two-year or four-year college or university, or a vocational-technical school for the 2024 fall semester.
Required Documents
- As part of your application, you must upload the following document(s):
Proof of current or past enrollment/attendance at a school in Upland, California. - Proof of current academic standing (most recent transcripts or grade/credit report and proof of enrollment or letter of acceptance to college, university or vocational school for fall 2024*)
*Please submit when available. - Include any additional documents or materials that demonstrate your interest.
Personal Statement
Include a personal statement (maximum 250 words per question) that addresses the following questions:
1. Why would this scholarship be meaningful to you?
2. Have you been involved with any types of community service or leadership activities? If so, please list and explain each role. (optional: include a letter of reference from your supervisor for these activities)
3. What are your future educational and/or career goals?
4. How would this scholarship help you achieve your educational and/or career goals?
Tom Thomas Leadership and Community Service Scholarship
Apply soon for the 2025 Scholarship!
Submit online by April 7, 2025 using the button below.
*Please note that applications are being updated now and will be available soon *
Contact Us:
If you have questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.
TomThomasScholarship@gmail.com
Tom Thomas Leadership and Community Service Scholarship
353 Emerson St., Upland, CA 91784