AAUW has a long & distinguished history of advancing educational & professional opportunities for women in the U.S. & around the globe.
Since 1888, AAUW has been one of the largest funders of women’s graduate education, investing in women who go on to change the world. Each year AAUW provides millions of dollars in fellowships, grants, and awards for outstanding women around the globe and for community action projects. AAUW also funds pioneering research on women, girls, and education.
AAUW offers a number of fellowship programs which provide grant monies to women pursuing doctoral and postdoctoral studies. One such fellowship is was founded in 1997 and named in honor of AAUW-Walla Walla member Dina Baker, who passed away in 2021. Our branch, with help from other branches, saw that $100,000 fellowship fully funded in 2004. Women scholars who receive grants from this ongoing fellowship fund have our branch to thank.
Neighbors
2026 Community Project Grants
AAUW-Walla Walla raises funds for scholarships, STEM summer camp, and leadership conferences for women and girls. In addition, we allocate funds for project-based community grants to registered charitable nonprofit organizations or initiatives fiscally sponsored by a charitable nonprofit organization under Section 501(3)(c) of the Internal Revenue Code.
APPLICATIONS FOR 2026 ARE NOW OPEN!
To be considered for a grant, projects must align with the mission of AAUW-WW and take place within Walla Walla County or Milton-Freewater, Oregon.
The deadline is 5:00pm on April 15, 2026. All levels of funding will be considered up to $5000.
Last year, our branch distributed $13K to six organizations to support community projects, programs and services. The six recipient organizations were as follows::
Communities in Schools of the Blue Mountain Region (CISBM)
Hope Street
The Health Center
Walla Walla Immigrant Rights Coalition
Walla Walla Public Schools Foundation
YMCA - The Learning Center
Pictured here: Judi Krein (second from left), AAUW Community Project Grants Committee member delivering the grant check to Karen Carman, Hope Street executive director (left) and Hope Street residents.
Scholars
AAUW College Scholarships
Three types of AAUW scholarships support local women in reaching their educational goals while reducing the burden of student debt.
Women RISE (Resilient, Independent, Self-Sufficient) scholarships are for women returning to school after a break in their education, either to complete an undergraduate degree or a post-graduate degree.
STEM Horizon scholarships are awarded to women in their junior or senior year of college who are pursuing a degree in a science, technology, engineering, or math field or a STEM-adjacent field such as nursing.
Women in Trades scholarships are for women seeking professional qualifications in a trade or craft where women are underrepresented.
Our press release below highlights our 2025 scholarship recipients and their schools/majors. Our branch extends hearty congratulations to each student who was awarded a scholarship and is continuing her education!
2026 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS OPEN JAN 1, 2026!
Tech Trek 2026
Tech Trek is an annual summer camp offering STEM education in Washington State. Each year, young women who are in 7th grade are nominated by their teachers to participate in an application and selection process.
The goal of Tech Trek is to provide an environment in which young women can learn, be creative, and begin to see the opportunities that are open to them in the STEM educational and professional arenas.
The nearly week-long camp in July includes a field-trip experience with STEM learning, an inspiring movie night, and many chances to team build with fellow campers and high school student counselors.
Expenses — airfare and camp cost — for this July event on the Pacific Lutheran Campus in Tacoma, WA, will be paid for by AAUW (a $1600 value). There is a $50 registration fee applicable per camper. Help is available if this is a financial burden for parents/guardians.
2026 Tech Trek Summer Camp:
Future Leaders
National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL)
Each year, AAUW brings together college women from around the country for three days of leadership training, inspiration, and networking. Our AAUW-Walla Walla Branch offers NCCWSL scholarships that pays for tuition, travel, and lodging for the conference. Applicants must either graduate from a Walla Walla area high school and be attending college, or be a student attending a Whitman College, Walla Walla Community College or Walla Walla University.
Our 2025 NCCWSL student leaders from Walla Walla were:
Kena Debebe, Whitman College sophomore
Irma Widyawati, Whitman College sophomore
Josie Fletcher, Walla Walla Community College freshman
Make a tax-deductible donation.
Your generous contribution — in any amount — to the AAUW-Walla Walla Scholarship Fund will be used to fund scholarships for local women and girls pursuing higher education.
We appreciate your support!