GROSSMAN SCHOLARSHIP
REWARDING OUTDOOR STEWARDSHIP
The Grossman Scholarship Program helps make educational dreams possible for those who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources.*
We are committed to programmatic offerings that celebrate diversity and embody inclusivity. We encourage and desire applicants from all backgrounds, ethnicities, and walks of life to apply and help grow a more inclusive outdoor stewardship community that engages all people.
Applications for the 2025-2026 scholarships are now closed, and all applicants have been notified. Please check back in December 2025 for our 2026-2027 school year applications.
Annual Scholarships
Grossman Scholarships and My Outdoor Colorado (MOC) Coalition Scholarships are awarded to Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry-related education program in Colorado.
Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) will award up to a total of $50,000 of scholarships** in 2025 for the 2025-2026 school year, thanks to the generosity of former VOC Board Member Rick Grossman and Susie Grossman, and funds from Great Outdoors Colorado through the MOC Coalition.
SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED
FOR THOSE GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL
WHAT: Scholarships of $5,000 and $10,000 are available to be awarded.
WHO: Graduating high school seniors pursuing post-secondary education.
FOR THOSE PURSUING UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES AFTER A POSTPONEMENT OR AS A CONTINUATION
WHAT: Scholarships of $5,000 and $10,000 are available to be awarded.
WHO: Anyone who is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree or who will be continuing their pursuit of an undergraduate degree after postponement of studies.
Postponement of studies includes but is not limited to individuals who postponed or were unable to complete their post-secondary education degree fully due to financial or familial circumstances, individuals taking a gap year between their final year of high school and first year of undergraduate studies, and those seeking a new career path requiring post-secondary education.
FOR THOSE CONNECTED TO THE COLE OR WESTWOOD NEIGHBORHOODS OR ARE INVOLVED WITH THE MY OUTDOOR COLORADO COALITION
WHAT: An opportunity to receive scholarship funds of at least $5,000.
WHO: 1) Meets the requirements of either scholarship ('Graduating High School' or 'Pursuing Undergraduate Studies') and the 'Eligibility Requirements'
and
2) Has or currently lives, works, or attends school in or is otherwise connected to the Cole and/or Westwood neighborhoods of Denver, OR anyone who has been or is currently involved with any of the MOC Coalition partner organizations (see full list of participating MOC organizations here).
HOW: Fill out the appropriate online application (High School or Undergraduate). There will be space on each online application form to indicate your eligibility for these MOC Coalition funds.
Photo by Phil Demosthenes
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
An eligible candidate:
- Is a Colorado resident;
- Has demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources* within their personal, educational, and/or professional time. Students should be able to share three examples;
- Must provide a Letter of Recommendation that highlights the applicant's commitment to caring for natural resources;
- Is pursuing a degree program with an environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry emphasis at an accredited 4-year college/university, 2-year community college, or a certificate program offered by an accredited college/university within the state of Colorado; and
- Is enrolled (or will be enrolled) in upcoming programs; the candidate cannot be in the last semester of a program as funds cannot be applied retroactively.
POST REQUIREMENTS
FOR SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS IN 2025
Before funds are awarded, the scholarship recipient will be required to:
- Provide VOC with formal enrollment documentation and write a short blog post for VOC, including a photo of you.
After funds are awarded, the scholarship recipient will be required to:
- Attend one VOC volunteer project during the April-October 2025 project season OR table at one outreach event on your school campus on behalf of VOC (supplies and guidance will be provided) during the 2025-2026 academic year.
- Act as a VOC ambassador on your school campus by 1) being available to post flyers provided to you by VOC in appropriate places across campus and/or 2) being a connector between VOC and potential campus partners interested in environmental stewardship during the 2025-2026 academic year.
Photo by James Tsui
Applications for the 2025-2026 scholarships are now closed, and all applicants have been notified. Please check back in December 2025 for our 2026-2027 school year applications.
Questions? Please email scholarships@voc.org
*A demonstrated commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources may be shown in many ways;
- Volunteerism: Volunteering may include but is not limited to trail construction and maintenance, invasive species management, habitat restoration, gardening and planting, forestry management, flood and fire restoration, recreational improvement, historic preservation, citizen science, or river/trash clean-ups. Volunteer efforts may occur within an environmental/outdoor organization (e.g. VOC, Wildland Restoration Volunteers, Environmental Learning for Kids, Groundwork Denver, Latino Outdoors) or with a Land Agency (e.g. United States Forest Service, National Parks Service, Bureau of Land Management, State Parks, or with local city park agencies).
- Professional Experience: Applicants who are currently in employment positions within a natural resources field can reference professional experience to demonstrate a long-term commitment to environmental stewardship work.
- Educational Experience: Applicants may also reference personal experiences and school programs that demonstrate their continuous commitment to environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry work.
**Scholarship funds will be sent directly to the awardee’s academic institution for tuition and fee costs. If the award is greater than that amount, the remaining balance may be held for the next semester or distributed directly to the student for other school-related uses such as room and board or textbooks if this is their final term.
Applicants can visit this link to check that their program is at an eligible, accredited institution:https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home.
†Current VOC employees, their partners, children, or relatives are not eligible to apply. Former VOC employees, as well as their partners, children, or relatives are eligible to apply after one full year of post-employment. VOC board members, their partners, children, or relatives are eligible to apply as long as that member does not sit on the scholarship grading committee. Grading committee members must wait two years after serving on the committee to apply, if they choose to do so.
A Letter of Recommendation may be written by a member of VOC staff.
