The Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne has announced the five recipients of the 2026 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Allen County.
Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are recognized for their exceptional community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership. To be eligible, Allen County students must demonstrate academic performance, community engagement, financial need, and the ability to overcome obstacles, along with submitting a personal statement outlining their goals.
The students chosen as the 2026 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars for Allen County are:
• Adrianna Burrows, from North Side High School
• Alexzandra Beason, Woodlan Jr./Sr. High School
• Kai Vaughn, Snider High School
• Biruk Shaw, Northrop High School
• Deanna May-Perez, Wayne High School
“These scholars exemplify resilience, leadership, and a deep commitment to their communities,” said Brad Little, Chief Executive Officer of the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne. “Their achievements reflect both academic excellence and personal determination, and we are honored to support their educational journeys. Each year, this program reminds us of the powerful impact education has on individuals, families, and our community as a whole.”
Each Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides full tuition, required fees, and a special allocation of up to $900 per year for required books and equipment for four years. The scholarship supports full-time undergraduate studies leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university.
Recipients also have the opportunity to participate in the Lilly Scholars Network (LSN), which connects scholars and alumni with leadership development opportunities and resources to encourage engagement on campus and in their communities. Both the scholarship program and LSN are supported by grants from Lilly Endowment Inc. to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) and Indiana Humanities.
In selecting the recipients, the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program Nominating Committee evaluated applicants based on program criteria. Final nominations were submitted to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI), the program’s statewide administrator, which approved the final selections.
Since its inception during the 1997-98 school year, the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program has awarded over $505 million to support more than 5,400 Indiana students.
The primary purposes of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program are to:
1. Help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana.
2. Increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations can play in their communities.
3. Encourage and support the efforts of current and past Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to engage with each other and with Indiana business, governmental, educational, nonprofit, and civic leaders to improve the quality of life in Indiana generally and in local communities throughout the state.
To see photos and video of the 2026 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars, visit our Facebook page.
About the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne
The Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne helps people make their charitable giving more impactful, connects resources to nonprofits through grantmaking and education, and provides leadership to address community needs. The organization connects people and resources daily to build a more vibrant community. As of December 31, 2024, the Community Foundation held charitable assets of approximately $247 million and awarded more than $11 million in charitable grants and scholarships throughout the same year. Since its formation in 1922, the Community Foundation has awarded more than $195 million in charitable grants. For more information, access the website for the Community Foundation.
About Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr., through gifts of stock in Eli Lilly and Company. The Endowment supports community development, education, and religion, with a special commitment to Indianapolis and Indiana.
About Independent Colleges of Indiana
Founded in 1948, ICI serves as the collective voice for the state’s 29 private, nonprofit colleges and universities. ICI institutions employ over 22,000 Hoosiers and generate a total local economic impact of over $5 billion annually. Students at ICI colleges have Indiana’s highest four-year graduation rates, and produce 30 percent of Indiana’s bachelor’s degrees while enrolling 20 percent of its undergraduates. Learn more about Independent Colleges of Indiana.