The Thomas J. Sweeney Scholarship Fund at the East Bay Community Foundation was established to honor the memory and contributions of a great labor leader of the IBEW Local 595. Tom Sweeney was the Business Manager/Financial Secretary of Local 595 for 28 years, and under his leadership, Local 595 established pension programs and health and welfare benefit programs that are the model for many Labor Unions today. Tom’s lifelong work for the IBEW and Local 595 left a legacy of accomplishment that is deeply appreciated by all who knew him.
IMPORTANT UPDATES
- As of 2025, apprentices are no longer eligible to apply. Please review our updated eligibility criteria before submitting your application.
- For 2026, there will be 30 awards granted to successful applicants. Up to fifteen awards for $2,000 each will be for graduating high school students who have been accepted at a college or university. Up to an additional fifteen awards of $1,000 each will be for post-secondary students accepted and/or are enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program.
ELIGIBILITY
- An active member or, someone whose parent/legal guardian is an active member, of IBEW Local 595 who have been accepted and/or are enrolled in a post-secondary undergraduate or graduate program
- Possess a cumulative, unweighted GPA of 3.5 or higher
CRITERIA FOR SELECTION
- School administrator or teacher recommendation
- Acceptance to a college or university; or current enrollment in a post-secondary educational institution
- An active member or, someone whose parent/legal guardian is an active member, of IBEW Local 595
- Scholarships will go to applicants with the highest cumulative academic reports
This application and the required attachments must be submitted by May 1 at 5:00 PM. A selection committee will review the applications. The East Bay Community Foundation will notify applicants on or before July 10.
Application Requirements
- Completed Thomas J. Sweeney Scholarship Application Form
- Letter of recommendation from a school administrator or teacher
- Letter of acceptance from college or university; or proof of current enrollment in a post-secondary educational institution
- Copy of current IBEW Local 595 Dues Receipt, paid through April 2026
- Official or unofficial High School transcript
- Post-secondary educational official or unofficial transcript
For application information contact the EBCF Scholarship Administration Team at scholarships@eastbaycf.org.
Thomas J. Sweeney Scholarship
The Thomas J. Sweeney Scholarship Fund at the East Bay Community Foundation was established to honor the memory and contributions of a great labor leader of the IBEW Local 595. Tom Sweeney was the Business Manager/Financial Secretary of Local 595 for 28 years, and under his leadership, Local 595 established pension programs and health and welfare benefit programs that are the model for many Labor Unions today. Tom’s lifelong work for the IBEW and Local 595 left a legacy of accomplishment that is deeply appreciated by all who knew him.
IMPORTANT UPDATES
- As of 2025, apprentices are no longer eligible to apply. Please review our updated eligibility criteria before submitting your application.
- For 2026, there will be 30 awards granted to successful applicants. Up to fifteen awards for $2,000 each will be for graduating high school students who have been accepted at a college or university. Up to an additional fifteen awards of $1,000 each will be for post-secondary students accepted and/or are enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program.
ELIGIBILITY
- An active member or, someone whose parent/legal guardian is an active member, of IBEW Local 595 who have been accepted and/or are enrolled in a post-secondary undergraduate or graduate program
- Possess a cumulative, unweighted GPA of 3.5 or higher
CRITERIA FOR SELECTION
- School administrator or teacher recommendation
- Acceptance to a college or university; or current enrollment in a post-secondary educational institution
- An active member or, someone whose parent/legal guardian is an active member, of IBEW Local 595
- Scholarships will go to applicants with the highest cumulative academic reports
This application and the required attachments must be submitted by May 1 at 5:00 PM. A selection committee will review the applications. The East Bay Community Foundation will notify applicants on or before July 10.
Application Requirements
- Completed Thomas J. Sweeney Scholarship Application Form
- Letter of recommendation from a school administrator or teacher
- Letter of acceptance from college or university; or proof of current enrollment in a post-secondary educational institution
- Copy of current IBEW Local 595 Dues Receipt, paid through April 2026
- Official or unofficial High School transcript
- Post-secondary educational official or unofficial transcript
For application information contact the EBCF Scholarship Administration Team at scholarships@eastbaycf.org.