Stevens Trust

What is commonly referred to as the “Stevens Trust” was established as the “Raymond, Jessie and Rae Stevens Trust” by the will of Rae Stevens Hoops on July 19, 1993.  It stipulated the interest generated on the initial trust corpus was to be distributed in scholarships each year, half of which is administered by Mt. Juneau-Gastineaux Lodge No. 21.  New scholarships are restricted to those currently graduating from Juneau high schools to “further their education or training in a university, college, business school, trade school or other institution of higher learning."

Raymond and Jessie Stevens moved to Juneau in the 1910s and lived here until their deaths in the 1960s.  

New awards are made each year, customarily at the annual high school award ceremonies in May, with the number and amounts determined by the funds earned that year through investment of the trust funds.  Scholarships are awarded to those determined by the Scholarship Committee to be “qualified for such further education” and who are “most deserving," though scholastic standing and/or financial need are not the sole award criteria.  

The Lodge Scholarship committee develops the specific award criteria and selection method. Reapplications are accepted from current award recipients for a normal maximum of four years, although extensions have been granted for special degree programs structured to last for five years.

A full-time course of work while attending an institution of higher learning is normally expected, but under special circumstances a lighter course load of at least half-time may be approved.

Since 1995, the Raymond, Jesse, and Rae Stevens Scholarship Trust Fund has generated over $1 million of investment returns for student scholarship awards to Juneau high school graduates.

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Goldstein Trust

Juneau entrepreneurs Charles Goldstein and James Cooper, owners of the Goldstein Improvement Company, established the Goldstein Trust in 1945 to provide financial assistance to young men and women of the Juneau area for higher educational purposes.

It set aside a portion of the annual earnings from the Goldstein Improvement Co. into a separate account to be used as the principal for the scholarship. Interest and investment earnings above a minimum required value are distributed each year to scholarship recipients to assist in their higher educational expenses.

From its formation, the Goldstein Trust has been administered by the Scottish Rite Bodies of Juneau. It is awarded to those students, male or female, who have financial need, have graduated from a Juneau area school (including homeschool and GED programs), and who plan to attend a vocational and/or technical school.

The personal essay written by the applicant is given significant weight in the selection process.  Race, color, creed, and fraternal affiliations are not considered in the selection of scholarship recipients. Students receiving Goldstein Trust Scholarship funds are under no obligation to repay any of the assistance awarded to them by this Trust.