UPDATE: High School Grant Increased to $1,000.00

      The East Bay Community Foundation – Thomas J. Sweeney Scholarship Fund was established to honor the memory and contributions of a great labor leader of IBEW Local 595. Tom Sweeney was the Business Manager and Financial Secretary of Local 595 for 28 years, and under his leadership Local 595 established pension programs and health and welfare benefit plans that are the model for many Labor Unions today. Tom's lifelong work for the IBEW and Local 595 left a legacy of accomplishment that is deeply appreciated by all who knew him.

      For 2010, there will be 20 grants awarded to successful applicants. Ten grants of $1,000.00 each will be for graduating high school students who have been accepted at a college or university. Ten grants of $500.00 will be for students currently enrolled in a secondary educational institution, including a California state–approved apprenticeship program.

ELIGIBILITY

1. Member or dependent of a member of IBEW Local 595 accepted and/or enrolled in a post-secondary educational institution, including a state–approved apprenticeship program.
2. Possess a 3.5 GPA or an academic average of 95% or higher.
3. If enrolled in an apprenticeship program, a cumulative on-the-job evaluation of 90% or higher in addition to an academic average of 95% or higher.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION

1. School administrator or teacher recommendation.
2. Acceptance to a college or university; or current enrollment in a post-secondary educational institution.
3. Membership or dependent status of the IBEW Local 595.
4. The 2010 financial grants will go to applicants with the highest cumulative academic reports.

      This application and the required attachments must be complete and postmarked on or before May 29, 2010. A selection committee will review the applications. The East Bay Community Foundation will notify the recipients on or before July 1, 2010.

      Application packages can be obtained from Local 595's Hall at 6250 Village Parkway in Dublin, the electrical apprenticeship programs or downloaded below: