Irene Nolan Memorial Scholarship Fund celebrates a milestone in 2023, but help is needed to keep the fund going strong

The Irene Nolan Memorial Scholarship Fund has had waves of community support since it was established in December 2021 with the help of the Outer Banks Community Foundation, and 2023 marked a milestone for the fund, which was launched in honor of Island Free Press’ (IFP) co-founder and original editor, Irene.

The Irene Nolan Memorial Scholarship Fund has been a dream for everyone at the IFP since Irene passed away in 2017, 10 years after she established Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands’ first online newspaper.

Irene was many things to her Hatteras Island community. She was a mentor, a friend, and an icon, and she was considered the voice of the islands during her decades of work as a local journalist and editor. As such, it was only fitting to start a scholarship in her name for Hatteras and Ocracoke Island students pursuing English-related degrees.

In May 2023, the IFP awarded the first-ever Irene Nolan Memorial Scholarship to Grace Shoemaker of Buxton, who is in her first year at Pitt Community College.

The fund, like most other Community Foundation scholarship funds, will offer up to four years of scholarship funding to each student recipient. In addition, the fund is endowed, meaning that the bulk of its assets will remain invested and only 5% of its earnings will be spent each year. In this way, the fund will be a perpetual source of scholarships for Hatteras and Ocracoke Island students for years to come.

“Through the support of donors like you, we will be able to support Grace throughout her college experience,” said IFP co-founder and publisher Donna Barnett. “The Irene Nolan Memorial Scholarship Fund endowment balance is currently $25,476. Our intention is to continue growing the fund through new donations so that we can help many more students.”

Anyone may contribute to the Irene Nolan Memorial Scholarship Fund by sending a check to the Outer Banks Community Foundation, 13 Skyline Road, Southern Shores, NC 27949 with the fund name in the memo line, or by making a contribution online at obcf.org/donate-now, and selecting the fund from the searchable funds list.

“I can’t think of a better tribute to Irene’s legacy than to help the next generation of Outer Banks writers pursue a love of journalism,” said Joy Crist, current editor of the IFP. “Thanks to Donna, the Outer Banks Community Foundation, and our wonderfully generous donors, we can continue to honor an incredible journalist, editor, and friend for many years to come.”

The Outer Banks Community Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization that connects people who care with causes that matter. Based in a historic flat top cottage in Southern Shores, the Community Foundation manages more than $25 million across more than 200 charitable funds for individuals and agencies, awards grants to local nonprofits, administers 60 scholarship programs, and provides tailored services to help donors pursue their charitable interests. Since its inception in 1982, the Community Foundation has awarded more than $12 million in grants and scholarships to local nonprofits and students.