The Lipsky/Whittaker Scholarship

The 2025 Lipsky/Whittaker Scholarship Fund applications closed April 25th — recipients will be notified May 15th!

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.

Eligibility to Apply:

• Rhode Island high school graduate under the age of 24
• Enrolled in a 2024-25 full-time, post-secondary technical training program or at a two/four year college
• Identify as LGBTQ+, or be raised in an LGBTQ+ household
• Have a substantial history of LGBTQ+ activism