Discover Funding Opportunities

Jim Cristy Swimming Scholarship

Established in 1990, the Jim Cristy Swimming Scholarship offers financial assistance to K-12 students who desire to participate in Kalamazoo County competitive swimming or learn-to-swim programs. This one-time, non-renewable award provides up to $1,000 to help elementary, middle, or high school students who are residents of Kalamazoo County and demonstrate financial need. The scholarship is specifically designed for students enrolling or enrolled in competitive swimming or learn-to-swim programs at the YMCA within Kalamazoo County. Recipients must submit a recommendation from a swimming coach or instructor and verification of income. Award recipients are notified in early spring and receive funds upon return of a letter of acceptance.

Bob Block Memorial Scholarship

The Bob Block Memorial Scholarship was established to support students from Kalamazoo County who have demonstrated dedication and commitment to competitive swimming or diving. This one-time, non-renewable scholarship honors the memory of Bob Block, an award-winning diver from Loy Norrix who became an NCAA Division III champion at Alma College and returned to Kalamazoo to become a premier coach for swimmers and divers before his untimely death in an auto accident in the 1990s. The scholarship is remembered for honoring Block's competitive yet caring nature when working with young people. Recipients must be high school seniors enrolling full-time in an associates or bachelor's degree program, demonstrate financial need, maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, and show dedication to competitive swimming or diving. The scholarship is administered through the Kalamazoo Community Foundation's all-in-one scholarship application process.