Foundation Grants & Scholarships

BG Class of 1978 Endowed Scholarship

Eligible students must be (1) members in good standing of a Blair County Catholic parish, and (2) shall be starting their first year in the Bishop Guilfoyle system (pre-K through 12). Students shall exemplify Christian spirituality and service, academic proficiency, and personal accountability. Priority consideration will be given to students who are actively involved in parish activities and ministries beyond participation in Sacramental Preparation and Mass attendance.  Please give your pastor or parish administrator ample time to sign the application.

To be considered for this scholarship, families must submit one application (below) per student no later than Thursday, November 6, 2025.

2025-26 IMPACT GRANT Program [CLOSED]

For the fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2025, our Impact Grant program will make available $50,043 in matching grants to Catholic parishes and schools (K-12) within the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown for Student Retreats, Parish Renewal/Missions, Adult Catechesis/Encounter, Youth Ministry, and Leadership Training initiatives. The application deadline is 4:00 PM Thursday, May 8, 2025. Impact Grants will be announced prior to July 1, 2025 and must be spent no later than June 30, 2026.  Please download the Impact Grant Application and optional Resource Guide to begin.

In just seven grant cycles, our Impact Grant Program has awarded $297,109 in matching grants for student retreats, youth ministry, parish renewal, and many other initiatives. The “fuel” for this initiative is a million-dollar bequest from a Johnstown estate we received in 2017. The value of the bequest has grown 15% even though 30% of the original value of the gift has been awarded.

2025-26 Welge Scholarship for Blair County College Juniors and Seniors [CLOSED]
Established in 1995 by Adelaide (Heverly) Welge’s niece and nephew-in-law to celebrate her commitment to higher education, the Welge (WELL-ghee) Scholarship Endowment Fund awards financial assistance to college juniors or seniors registered at a Blair County Catholic Parish (other than Saint Matthew Parish, Tyrone, which has its own robust endowed scholarship program wiht us).

The Welge Endowment has grown sufficiently for our selection committee to grant four $500 awards this summer. Awards will be mailed to schools as a credit on each student’s account.

Welge Scholarship applicants are: (1) members of a Blair County Catholic Parish (excluding St. Matthew); (2) junior or senior undergraduate students enrolled at any accredited college or university; and, (3) in need of financial assistance. The application deadline is 4:00 PM, Wednesday, July 2, 2025.  We will notify scholarship winners shortly thereafter.