Eastern Bergen County, NJ -- The Community Chest of Eastern Bergen County is accepting applications for its eighth annual High School Young Women's Leadership Awards. In 2025, three awards will be given to outstanding students identifying as female, enrolled in either their junior or senior years in high school, and residing and/or attending a public or private a high school in eastern Bergen County, New Jersey.

Applicants living in and/or attending a high school in any of these towns may apply: Alpine, Bergenfield, Closter, Cresskill, Demarest, Dumont, Englewood, Englewood Cliffs, Harrington Park, Haworth, Northvale, Norwood, Old Tappan, Rockleigh and Tenafly. The deadline to apply is February 18, 2025.

The Community Chest encourages young women to be active leaders in their communities. The organization invites young women, who have demonstrated strong leadership skills and are involved in their communities, to apply. They are required to complete an online application and present two recommendations. Finalists will be notified and asked to participate in an interview with the application review committee.

The Community Chest's High School Senior Young Women's Leadership Awards program provides a $5,000 award to one first place winner. High school seniors, who identify as female, may complete an online application available at https://forms.gle/ZXRr3HM2dBDotgWL9 .

The Community Chest is also presenting two Junior Young Woman's Leadership Awards. Two winners will each be presented $1,000 and an opportunity to participate in an internship with a local nonprofit during the school year or summer. Applicants must complete and submit an online application available at https://forms.gle/DPa8VYXZhqV8rHAF9 .

Through a highly competitive process, applications will be reviewed by an esteemed group of women leaders, who have volunteered to judge the applications. The winners receive a certificate memorializing their award to include in their college admissions packet. They are also invited to attend a celebration and meet local women leaders from the public and private sectors. 

The Legacy of the Elizabeths

The leadership awards honor the legacy of the three Elizabeths -- Elizabeth Cutter Morrow, Elizabeth Morrow Morgan, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. During the Great Depression, Elizabeth Cutter Morrow, an Englewood resident, became the founding board chair of The Community Chest. Elisabeth Morrow Morgan, the founder of The Elisabeth Morrow School, grew up in Englewood. Tenafly resident Elizabeth Cady Stanton was a leader in the suffragist movement.

Support

The Community Chest welcomes donations from the public to recognize the work of these young women. Contributions of any amount to support the awards may be sent by check with payment made out to The Community Chest, located at 122 South Van Brunt Street, Englewood, New Jersey 07631. Visit The Chest's website, www.thecommunitychestebc.org, for more information about the Young Woman's Leadership program, the program’s Award and the organization's mission and work.

For further information about the Young Woman's Leadership Award, contact Executive Director Dr. Shelly Wimpfheimer at (201) 568-7474.

About the Community Chest

Founded in 1933, The Community Chest, a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization headquartered in Englewood, New Jersey, has supported local not-for-profit agencies for 91 years. The Chest leads initiatives and supports nonprofits that make our communities stronger and benefit people in need in eastern Bergen County. Each year, The Chest raises funds and allocates them to agencies demonstrating the capacity to provide services to local citizens. The organization also provides coordinating and planning services in its communities, serving as a bridge between agencies and organizations and investing in the stability and quality of the service network.

The Community Chest's Board of Managers is comprised of community leaders dedicated to improving the lives of neighbors in need. People interested in volunteering with the organization may contact Executive Director Dr. Shelly Wimpfheimer at (201) 568-7474. For further information about The Chest, visit www.thecommunitychestebc.org/ or contact (201) 568-7474.