The Lipsky/Whittaker Scholarship

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!

Each year since 2005, Youth Pride, Inc. distributes $5k in scholarship funds to one or more applicants. The amounts per student vary each year depending on the number of quality applications received. YPI has established a scholarship committee of community members who will determine the scholarship recipients. Applications typically release in March, with a deadline in April, and awards given out in early May.

Apply (Online)
Apply (Print)

2026 Application:

Applications could be printed and mailed, or submitted online (sign-in to Google Account required) until April 24th, 2026.

Recipients will be notified May 15th.

Please direct questions to info@youthprideri.org.

 

Eligibility to Apply:

  • Be a Rhode Island high school graduate (or a high school student graduating in the summer of 2026) under the age of twenty-four (24); and
  • Enrolled (or planning to enroll) full-time in a post-secondary technical training program, two-year college, or four-year college; and
  • Have a substantial history of activism in support of the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals and families; and either
    • Identify as LGBTQ+, or
    • Be raised in an LGBTQ+ household

Note: Recent volunteer or service involvement with YPI is not required, but is appreciated