Chelsea Piers Scholarship Fund
Connecticut

Mission

The Chelsea Piers Scholarship Fund ("CPSF") is committed to providing Fairfield County children in need with the opportunity to experience the enormous benefits and enjoyment of participation in athletics. We believe structured sports help children gain self-confidence and self-esteem, develop social skills, learn sportsmanship and teamwork, set and achieve goals, and learn from positive role models. We believe that all children, regardless of their family's financial situation, should be given this opportunity to learn and grow through sports.

The Chelsea Piers Scholarship Fund is a not-for-profit fund established and administered by an independent group of volunteers. The Scholarship Fund is tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and all donations are tax deductible in the manner prescribed by law. The Chelsea Piers Scholarship Fund was established in 1996 and was expanded to Connecticut in 2018.

Over the past 5 years, Chelsea Piers Connecticut has provided over $400,000 in tuition assistance to competitive team players in financial need.  With the launch of the CPSF in Connecticut, the goal is to offer scholarships to as many qualified applicants as possible.

Grants/Scholarships

Monies raised through the Chelsea Piers Scholarship Fund are used to provide partial and full scholarships to the Chelsea Piers Connecticut Summer Sports Camp and Competitive Teams.

Scholarships Recipients

The CPSF Board of Directors identifies deserving scholarship recipients in two ways:

1. CPSF works with local community-based organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club, Starfish Connection and other local social service organizations to identify children in Fairfield County who will benefit from participation in sports programs and camps at Chelsea Piers Connecticut.
2. CPSF accepts individual applications from families for camp and competitive team scholarships throughout the year.

Awards are based on financial need. Each applicant must complete an application, which includes a written statement, financial documentation and school report cards. The CPSF Grant Committee reviews each application and makes all final grant decisions.

Fundraising

All funding for the Chelsea Piers Scholarship Fund is made through voluntary contributions. To launch the fund, Chelsea Piers Connecticut has pledged to match all donations made on Fairfield County’s Community Fund’s Giving Day up to $50,000 and is committed to donating a total of $250,000 over 5 years to the fund (2018 –2022, $50,000 per year). In addition, Chelsea Piers Connecticut Management provides a 20% discount on all CPSF sponsored programs and provides critical administrative assistance free of charge. Ninety-five percent (95%) of the money raised for the Scholarship Fund goes directly to families in need.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications may be requested by emailing Marti Etter, Director of Scholarships at EtterM@chelseapiersCT.com

ROLLING ADMISSION DATES

*Once maximum number of completed applications is reached, additional applications will be placed on a waiting list.

The Chelsea Piers Scholarship Fund is committed to granting scholarships to as many qualified applicants as possible.