A Flagship Initiative of The Still Here Fund
The Ida B. Wells Educational Scholarship Fund
Empowering Dreams. Honoring Resilience. Investing in the Future.
Supporting students whose educational journey has been impacted by chronic illness, dialysis, organ transplantation, disability, or caregiving responsibilities.
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About the Fund
Your Future Still Matters
The Ida B. Wells Educational Scholarship Fund was established to support students whose educational journey has been interrupted, delayed, or challenged by chronic illness, dialysis treatment, organ transplantation, disability, cancer recovery, or significant caregiving responsibilities.
Too often, talented and determined individuals find their educational dreams placed on hold because of circumstances beyond their control.
This scholarship fund exists to recognize resilience, perseverance, determination, and hope.
Inspired by the legacy of Ida B. Wells — educator, advocate, and trailblazer — this initiative seeks to create educational opportunities for those who continue moving forward despite life's greatest challenges.
At Nicole Washington Ministries, we believe:
Your diagnosis does not determine your destiny.
Your setback does not determine your future.
Your story is not over.
Your future still matters.
Why This Scholarship Matters
A Vision Born From Experience
The Ida B. Wells Educational Scholarship Fund was not created from theory.
It was created from experience.
While attending the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Pastor Nicole Washington experienced firsthand how caregiving responsibilities can interrupt educational goals.
As a college student, she often found herself balancing her academic responsibilities while caring for her mother during periods of serious illness. There were semesters when she was forced to withdraw from classes and accept multiple incompletes because her mother's health needs demanded her time, attention, and care.
She understands what it feels like when life interrupts your plans.
She understands the frustration of watching educational goals delayed by circumstances beyond your control.
She understands the emotional weight of trying to care for someone you love while still pursuing your own future.
Years later, that journey would continue.
Pastor Nicole would become a caregiver for her husband following his stroke. She would care for her aging mother as dementia progressed. She would eventually face her own battle with kidney disease, dialysis treatments, hospitalizations, and the challenges that accompany chronic illness.
Through every season, one truth remained:
Adversity may interrupt a journey.
It does not have to define it.
The Ida B. Wells Educational Scholarship Fund exists because there are countless students whose educational dreams have been delayed, interrupted, or challenged by illness, caregiving responsibilities, disability, family crises, and life circumstances beyond their control.
We believe those students deserve to be seen.
We believe their perseverance deserves to be recognized.
We believe their future deserves to be invested in.
We believe a setback should never be allowed to become a permanent limitation.
This scholarship exists for students who continue moving forward despite extraordinary challenges.
Because a diagnosis does not determine a destiny.
Because caregiving is an act of courage.
Because resilience deserves recognition.
Because dreams still matter.
And because your future still matters.
— Pastor Nicole Washington
Founder, Nicole Washington Ministries
The Still Here Fund
Our Mission
Empowering Dreams
To provide educational scholarships, leadership development, encouragement, and empowerment opportunities for individuals whose educational path has been impacted by illness, disability, caregiving responsibilities, or extraordinary life challenges.
Eligibility
Who May Apply
Applicants May Include
Special Consideration May Be Given To
Opportunities
Scholarship Opportunities
I'm Still Here
Scholarship
Awarded to students who have demonstrated extraordinary perseverance through adversity and continue pursuing their goals despite life's challenges.
The Courage to Continue
Scholarship
Created for individuals living with chronic illness, kidney disease, dialysis treatment, or organ transplantation.
The Caregiver's Heart
Scholarship
Supporting students who balance educational goals while caring for parents, spouses, children, siblings, or loved ones.
Nothing Happens by Chance
Scholarship
Awarded to individuals who have transformed hardship into purpose, growth, leadership, and determination.
Our Vision
A Future Where Every Dream Has a Chance
We envision a future where no person's educational dreams are abandoned because of illness, disability, caregiving responsibilities, or unexpected hardship.
Through scholarships, mentorship, encouragement, and community support, we seek to create opportunities for individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary perseverance.
Resilience
Deserves recognition.
Courage
Deserves support.
Purpose
Deserves a chance.
"Your circumstances may have interrupted your journey, but they do not have the final word on your future."
Pastor Nicole Washington
Coming Soon
Future Scholar Spotlight
This section will feature scholarship recipients, their stories, testimonials, and photos — celebrating the students whose resilience inspires us all.
Student Stories
Available Soon
Graduate Testimonials
Available Soon
Impact Photos
Available Soon
Our Impact
Making a Difference
Every scholarship changes a life. Every gift opens a door. Every act of support reminds someone that their future matters.
Students Supported
Opening Doors to Education
Scholarships Awarded
Investing in Futures
Communities Served
Reaching Across the Nation
Lives Impacted
Transforming Through Hope
Impact numbers will be updated as the scholarship fund grows. Check back soon.
Ways to Give
Partner With Purpose
Choose the giving level that fits your heart. Every gift — no matter the size — helps open doors for students whose education has been interrupted by life's challenges.
Support a Scholar
Make a one-time or recurring gift directly supporting a scholarship recipient.
Give NowSponsor a Scholarship
Underwrite a named scholarship and become a recognized partner.
Become a SponsorMore Ways to Connect
Explore The Still Here Fund
The Ida B. Wells Educational Scholarship Fund is part of a larger ecosystem of hope, advocacy, and community support. Explore our other programs.
The Still Here Fund
Our charitable umbrella providing hope, advocacy, and practical support.
Learn MoreStill Here Support Group
A faith-based community meeting weekly for encouragement and prayer.
Join the CommunityMake a Difference
Change a Life Today
Every contribution helps provide scholarships, educational opportunities, encouragement, advocacy, and hope to individuals facing extraordinary challenges. Together, we can invest in futures, restore hope, and remind someone that their story is not over.
Because Your Future Still Matters
If your educational journey has been impacted by chronic illness, dialysis, organ transplantation, disability, or caregiving responsibilities, we want you to know:
Your dreams still matter.
Your goals still matter.
Your purpose still matters.
And your future still matters.