Oliver L. Johnson and William A. Lester Families Fund

The Oliver L. Johnson & William A. Lester Families Fund of the Pittsburgh Foundation was created to provide educational opportunities for deserving students with financial need with a preference for students who have been disproportionately affected by systemic barriers to educational achievement, who are committed to pursuing formal education beyond the twelfth grade in high school. The donors, themselves African-American, seek to encourage and support students who have already displayed academic ability and leadership skills and who recognize that a solid educational foundation is a necessary prerequisite to making a positive contribution to society.

Average Award: $20,000 over 4 Years
Award Type: Multi-Year (up to 4 years).
Application Period Opens: 1/05/2026
Application Period Closes: 2/17/2026

Apply at Scholarship America

You are now leaving The Pittsburgh Foundation website and entering Scholarship America’s website where the specific fund you are applying to will be included within a combined application offering additional scholarship opportunities.

Continue to Scholarship America

Criteria

  • Attend high school in Allegheny County, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Washington, or Westmoreland Counties as a graduating senior.
  • Demonstrate financial need.
  • Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
  • Plan to attend an accredited vocational or technical trade school OR 2- or 4-year college or university.
  • Preference will be given to applicants who have been disproportionately affected by systemic barriers to educational achievement.

How to Apply

  • Click the button on this page and follow the instructions from Scholarship America. (This page will show the button when the application period is open.)

Contact