The Step Forward Scholarship Fund (SFSF), a non-profit, independent, volunteer organization dedicated to supporting the education and career goals of Governors Club employees and children of employees, has received 28 applications for financial support for the 2025-26 academic year. The SFSF will announce its scholarship recipients at a special dinner event on September 5, 2025, at Governors Club.

The total includes 25 applications to subsidize tuition, room and board costs and application and testing fees, as well as three to support students who secured non-paying or low-paying internships. The requests total $142,000. Last year, the organization awarded 27 scholarships totaling $161,000.

“This is the third year in a row that we have received more than 25 applications for support,” said David Hopkins, head of the SFSF Scholarship Committee. “It speaks to how the program has become embedded among GC employees. More than half of the applicants are applying for another year of aid, indicating SFSF’s continued role in their education journey.”

Of this year’s academic applicants, 16 have received scholarships in prior years, and 12 applicants are new to the program; 21 are children of employees, and seven are employees. The program received sibling applications from three families.

Applications have come from students enrolled at the University of North Carolina campuses at Chapel Hill, Asheville, Charlotte and Wilmington, as well as from Appalachian State, Duke University, NC State, Winston-Salem State University, the University of South Carolina and Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College.

Since the beginning of the year, members of the SFSF Scholarship Committee have been meeting with employees of various GC departments to explain the program and encourage submissions for aid. The sessions have also stressed that the SFSF has a mentoring program that can help with application and financial aid submissions.

Over the past months, members of the scholarship committee have been holding face-to-face interviews with applicants to review their submissions.

“Thanks to our dedicated supporters, we’ve awarded more than 100 scholarships in just five years – each one a step forward in a student’s life,” said SFSF President Nancy Broaddus. “Chances are, you already know one of our scholars or their parents. We have seen them get their college degrees and enter the workforce, take internships that provided them with vital work experience and complete courses to move their careers forward or help them with a career change. While we are proud of our past success, we are hoping even more GC members join this growing community and help the employees who make our lives at GC so special.”

Since its establishment in 2019, SFSF has awarded 105 scholarships totaling $541,000. Yearly academic grants range from $500 to $7,000. Internship support to provide a “living wage” to students can reach up to $4,000. One $12,000 Governors Scholarship is awarded each year. Grants have been awarded to employees in every GC department.

Full-time and part-time employees of Governors Club and their dependents can apply for scholarships. Eligibility requires employment at Governors Club for nine or more months and an average work week of 20 hours.

                 SFSF RAISES MORE THAN $9,000 AT SPRING LUNCHEON

​Nearly 120 GC members attended a special spring luncheon in April featuring Susan Gravely, the owner of Vietri Outlet in Hillsborough, NC. The store features handcrafted Italian dinnerware, glassware, and flatware. The event raised more than $9,000 to benefit the scholarship program. Gravely shared family recipes from her new cookbook, “Italy on a Plate,” which Chef Ben and his staff prepared, including such delightful dishes as tomato mozzarella salad, chicken piccata and tiramisu. In between courses,

Gravely recounted how she started her business and expanded it while fostering relationships with some of Italian’s best artisans. Gravely also donated a number of pieces that were raffled off to luncheon participants.

President Nancy Broaddus briefly addressed the luncheon, explaining how the scholarship program works and thanking the attendees for their continued support of SFSF.

​“We are overwhelmed how the GC community came out for this event,” said Jane Mayberry, a member of the SFSF Board of Directors and chair of the Fundraising and Events Committee. “It was the perfect afternoon – a great speaker, fantastic food and people determined to help GC employees and children of employees reach their education and career goals, whatever they may be.”