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A Brief History Of The Creation Of The Foundation

The Nantucket Golf Club Foundation (NGCF) was founded in 2002 by the Nantucket Golf Club (NGC) Board of Directors: Fred Green, Ed Hajim and Robert Greenhill. Tom Bresette is the Chief Operating Officer at NGC and the Executive Director of the Nantucket Golf Club Foundation. The Children’s Charity Classic, established in 2002, is an annual golf tournament and dinner/auction held in August that solely funds the Nantucket Golf Club Foundation.

The Foundation’s Initiatives

The mission of NGCF is to promote the positive development and enrichment of Nantucket children. Through the generous support of the members of Nantucket Golf Club, their guests and others, the Nantucket Golf Club Foundation has raised over $44 million over the last 20 years for the benefit of Nantucket youth. Its charitable initiatives include our recurring Grant, Scholar. and Vocational Programs as well as occasional capital contributions to worthy, local, causes benefitting children on our island.

The Foundation began by distributing funds to island non-profits who shared in the mission and that work continues today. The process for the Grant Program has evolved into an application based bi-annual review. Since the Foundation’s inception, grants have been made to over 78 organizations ranging from large groups serving hundreds of children such as Boys & Girls Club, Community Network for Children, Maria Mitchell Association and the Nantucket Atheneum to smaller groups such as Nantucket Lightship Basket Museum, Nantucket Arts Council and Nantucket Preservation Trust. Grants have also been awarded to groups who serve children with extreme need: Mentoring Youth Nantucket, A Safe Place, Family & Children’s Services and Nantucket S.T.A.R. And a myriad of other non-profit organizations have received grants including private schools, sports programs and art and music groups.

In 2006, the Board decided to expand its direction and focus on the importance of quality education by initiating the Nantucket Scholar Program. Each year, two Nantucket High School graduating seniors are granted a four-year scholarship that covers all tuition and fees to the college or university of their choice. By offering a unique scholarship opportunity, the Board felt this could be a way to impact generations of Nantucket children while providing inspiration to students seeking the value of higher education.

The Nantucket Scholar Program

The Nantucket Scholar Program is now in its 18^th year. The program requires a year-long review process. The year begins with an informational assembly in October at the high school. Seniors and their parents are invited and applications are made available along with an opportunity to ask questions. The application includes one written essay, sections for extra-curricular activities, community service and academic honors, one confidential teacher recommendation and an employer recommendation and was due in early January. There was a five-member review committee: Tom Bresette, Michael Cozort - NPS Superintendent of Schools, John Buckey-NHS Principal, Courtney Foster – Chair of the NHS Guidance Department and Kate Hickson – Chair of the NHS World Language Department. Susan McFarland serves as the NGC Foundation Data Coordinator for all past and present Scholars.

The Review Committee met and reviewed all of the applications. After the initial application review, each candidate was personally interviewed, attended a group forum and enjoyed a dinner together. Once chosen as a finalist, the candidates attended another group forum, enjoyed a casual dinner with the Review Committee, made a presentation in front of the committee and had the opportunity for another personal, more formal interview.

Each applicant has varied and unique qualities. The Nantucket Scholar can be anyone with the determination and drive to succeed academically, be socially conscientious and a leader among their peers.