About the Scholarship Fund


Casper Gorner 2009 Scholar

The Inverness Garden Club Scholarship Fund (IGCSF) is a standing committee of the Inverness Garden Club (IGC), a non-profit public benefit corporation organized for charitable and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3). The purpose of the IGCSF is to award scholarships to students living in coastal West Marin by engaging in fundraising activities in cooperation with the Inverness Garden Club, and by establishing and applying eligibility standards for scholarship applicants.

History and Background

The IGC was founded in 1934 by nineteen women who shared a general interest in gardening. Today, IGC’s 160 members are people of all ages and both genders who learn about and appreciate gardening. It is the mission of the IGC to work together to protect and preserve native plants and habitats, promote the beautification of our community, and provide college scholarships to qualified coastal West Marin students. The members of the IGC believe individuals are enriched when they are exposed to the diversity of information, opinions and people which a college experience offers. The IGC’s Scholarship Fund was formed in 1960. That year it awarded one scholarship of $250. Follow-up data on past IGCSF scholars who have graduated from college indicates that higher education offers wider career choices, enriches scholars’ lives and encourages them to be informed and active citizens.

As members of the IGCSF, we are committed to serving our community by providing financial assistance to qualified residents of coastal West Marin who seek a college education. To do so, we work year-round to raise funds for our scholars by making and selling home-made jams and other culinary offerings at the Holiday Craft Fair, organizing and running the flea market at the Inverness Fair, applying for grants and soliciting members and friends. In May 2009, the IGCSF awarded $80,000 in scholarships to 30 deserving students with financial need from coastal West Marin.

Brenda Gomez 2009 Scholar
Alessa Lopez 2009 Scholar
Lucas Guilkey 2008 Scholar