2025 Lipsky/Whittaker Scholarship Supports LGBTQ+ Youth Activism in Rhode Island

Youth Pride, Inc. (YPI) is proud to announce that applications for the 2025 Lipsky/Whittaker Scholarship will be accepted now through April 25, 2025!

20 years ago, the Lipsky/Whittaker Scholarship fund was established through the estate of John Lipsky and George Whittaker, life partners for more than 50 years. The two gentlemen passed away in 2005, just eight weeks apart. Their dream was to see young LGBTQ+ people “grow up without the fear of rejection, violence, discrimination or exposure to HIV/AIDS.” The mission of the Lipsky/Whittaker Scholarship is to support youth activism in the area of LGBTQ+ rights.

 If you have a history of supporting and advocating for the LGBTQ+ community, you could be eligible for our scholarship! YPI has established a scholarship committee of community members who will determine the scholarship recipients.

 

About the scholarship

  • For 20 years, the Lipsky/Whittaker Scholarship has supported youth activism in Rhode Island for LGBTQ+ rights.

  • The Lipsky/ Whittaker Scholarship supports Rhode Island residents who are pursuing an educational program beyond high school graduation. Students who are enrolling or are enrolled full-time in a post-secondary program resulting in either a certificate of completion or an Associate or Bachelor’s degree are eligible to apply for the scholarship.

  • The Scholarship gives out $5,000 per year; amounts per student may vary. Renewal scholarships will be considered for students in good standing in their chosen educational program.

Eligibility

Applicants must be:

  • A Rhode Island high school graduate (or a high school student graduating in the summer of 2025), under the age of twenty-four, and

  • Enrolled (or planning to enroll) full-time in a post-secondary technical training program, two or four year college; and either

    • Identify as LGBTQ+, or

    • Be raised in an LGBTQ+ household, and

    • Have a substantial history of activism in support of the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals and families.

Apply

Deadline for application submissions is Friday, April 25, 2025!

Please direct questions to info@youthprideri.org

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