Click here to download application: Black Rock Community Council's David Grimshaw Scholarship 2026.pdf

Black Rock Community Council
David Grant Grimshaw Scholarship

Founded in 1976, the Black Rock Community Council (BRCC) is the oldest and largest community membership organization in the area.  The Council’s mission is to promote projects that will enhance the quality of life of Black Rock’s residents and businesses, including recreational, educational, and business development initiatives.

The BRCC is proud to present the 2026 David Grant Grimshaw Scholarship.

David Grant Grimshaw (1956-2001) was not a native Black Rocker but was drawn to the beautiful coastline and sense of community one finds in Black Rock.  A self-taught oil painter, Grimshaw founded the Westport Gallery and joined the Black Rock Community Council soon after relocating to Black Rock in 1988.  He was elected BRCC president, a position he held for many years, and was instrumental in raising funds for the newly formed Burroughs Community Center and the preservation of the Fayerweather Lighthouse, among other local causes.  Known equally for his community activism and his oil paintings, Grimshaw lost his battle to ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) in 2001.  His spirit lives on in the volunteers who make our area a better place.

This year, there will be two David Grant Grimshaw Scholarships - $1,500 & $500. They will be awarded to two Black Rock high school seniors who have gained acceptance to accredited universities with plans to attend in the fall of 2026.  The scholarship recipients will exemplify David Grant Grimshaw’s commitment to the local community through their records of involvement with school, neighborhood, or citywide initiatives.  

To apply for the 2026 David Grant Grimshaw Scholarship, please submit the following:

• A completed and signed application (next page of this document).

• A 150 to 300-word essay explaining your community involvement and the impact it has had on you as well as the Black Rock or greater Bridgeport community. 

• A copy of your high school transcript.

• A copy of your acceptance letter to the college that you are planning to attend in the fall of 2026.

All application materials should be emailed to maureen.hart@gmail.com no later than Friday, June 19, 2026. 

Black Rock Community Council
David Grant Grimshaw Scholarship Application

Applicant Information:

Name:

Address:

Phone number:

Email:

Years lived in Black Rock:

High School:

College attending in the fall 2026:

Signature:

Community Participation or Involvement:

Organization	Your Role	Contact person/ phone number

Essay:

In 150 – 300 words, please explain how you as a young person have embodied David Grant Grimshaw’s commitment to the Black Rock or the Bridgeport community. Please explain the impact of your experience on the community and the impact that your experience had on you. Please include the essay along with the other application materials listed on the previous page.