Student Grant Fund 2026

Student Grant Fund 2026

The Empire Runners Club of Sonoma County will award a minimum of two student grants in the amount of

$750 each to graduating high school seniors in the year 2026, with additional grants being awarded as our

funds permit and based on the number of applicants.

In the past 12 years Empire Runners has awarded over $60,000 to 75 graduating seniors .

To be eligible for one of these grants you must meet all the following requirements:

1.     Be a graduate of any Sonoma County senior high school in the year 2026.

2.     Have participated for a minimum of one season on a track and/or cross country team for a Sonoma

County high school.

3.     Be planning to attend college and run on a track or cross country team or club team.

4.     Complete the application. (Use additional sheets as required)

Application: .DOCX or .PDF

5.     Submit one copy of your most recent high school transcripts with application.

6.     Submit a letter of recommendation, from either a teacher or a coach.

Please complete the application and submit it with a 500-750 word essay describing your running

experience and your college goals.

Applications should be mailed to ER Student Grant Fund, c/o Paul Berg, PO Box 829 Sebastopol CA

95473.

Applications must be postmarked by Tuesday April 28, 2026. If you have questions concerning this

application, contact Paul Berg (707) 953-5575.

The Empire Runners Club is an IRS Section 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. Donations

made to the Student Grant Fund may be tax deductible.

Previous Winners:

2025 Recipients
Kaeden Anderson – Healdsburg High → Westmont College
Janelle Wanliss – Santa Rosa High → Westmont College
Amrie Lacefield – Montgomery High → Colorado State University
Brooke Szczekocki – Maria Carrillo High → Loyola Marymount University

The Student Grant Fund is fueled by club dues and donations. Applicants must excel academically and athletically, submit personal essays, and earn recommendation letters from coaches and teachers.

We are incredibly proud of these athletes — their dedication, resilience, and leadership inspire us all.

Help us keep this tradition alive! By contributing to the Student Grant Fund, you can ensure next year’s seniors have the same opportunity to pursue their dreams. Every donation, no matter the size, makes a difference.

Together we’re building a stronger, healthier running community — one student at a time.