In partnership with the Mount Washington Avalanche Center Foundation, John Donnellan has generously funded two scholarships for our backcountry community. One scholarship is designed for recreational users and can be applied towards an Avalanche Awareness, Avalanche Rescue, or Avalanche Recreation Level 1 or 2 course, up to the full tuition. The other scholarship is intended for professional avalanche courses and may be used for a Pro 1, Pro 2, ProAvSAR, ITC, or CLT course, with an award of up to the full tuition. It is possible that partial scholarships may be awarded.

I discovered Mt Washington while on Boy Scouts hiking trips in the 80s and later returned to hike and ski Tuckerman Ravine. On my first Tuckerman trip, I skied way to close to the entrance of a crevasse but was able to avoid it by climbing up for 10 minutes. I learned a relatively easy lesson that day. I moved to CO and worked for a ski resort and took Avy Level 1 and 2 while there. When I returned to the East Coast, I was very eager to share Tuckerman with friends and family and have led over 20 springtime trips. I now have the tools to be safer and really want to do anything I can to share those tools with others.  – John Donnellan

The goal of these scholarships are to help reduce barriers to entry in avalanche education for both recreational and professional participants in our local community. Please read over the application prerequisites before completing the application. 

Applicant Prerequisites:

Residency and Recreation: Applicants must demonstrate that they are members of the local community and frequently recreate in the Mount Washington area or surrounding states.

Financial Need: Applicants should provide a brief statement explaining their financial need and how the cost of avalanche education is a barrier to entry for them. This can include information on current employment, income level, or other financial obligations.

Commitment to Avalanche Awareness: Applicants should express a strong commitment to improving avalanche awareness within their community. This can be demonstrated through previous volunteer work, involvement in community activities related to outdoor recreation, or a clear plan on how they intend to use the education to benefit others.

Inclusivity and Diversity: While the scholarship is open to all who meet the criteria, preference will be given to applicants who belong to underrepresented groups in formal avalanche training, including but not limited to, BIPOC individuals, women, non-binary individuals, and those identifying as LGBTQIA+.

Selection Criteria:

Financial Need: The primary criterion will be the applicant’s demonstrated financial need. The scholarship is intended to lower barriers to entry, so applicants who can clearly show how the cost of the course is a barrier to their participation will be prioritized.

Commitment to Community Impact: Applicants who demonstrate a strong commitment to using their avalanche education to benefit their community will receive higher consideration. This might include plans to share knowledge, lead group outings, or engage in community education efforts.

Connection to the Local Area: Priority will be given to applicants who live, work, or frequently recreate in the Mount Washington area or surrounding regions. Applicants should describe their connection to the area and how the training will impact their activities there. 

Diversity and Inclusion: Preference will be given to applicants from underrepresented groups in avalanche education, as well as those who can bring diverse perspectives to the community.

Application Timeline:

Applications Open: September 21st – October 5th, 2026

Selection and Notification: Awardees will be notified by October 31st, 2026

 

In 2025, the Mount Washington Avalanche Center Foundation delivered 7 different avalanche education scholarships to 7 community members.  

In 2025, John Donnellan and the MWACF generously provided $5,266 dollars towards avalanche education. Three scholarships were allocated to recreational users with three full Avalanche Recreation Level 1 courses funded. Four partial scholarships were awarded to professional users, with partial funding for 2 Pro 1s and 2 ProAvSAR. All courses were offered by local providers and hosted in New Hampshire.

In 2024, the Mount Washington Avalanche Center Foundation delivered 4 different avalanche education scholarships to 4 community members.  

John Donnellan Scholarship:
In 2024, John Donnellan generously funded 3 scholarships for our backcountry community. Two scholarships were designed for recreational users and could be applied towards an Avalanche Awareness, Avalanche Rescue, or Avalanche Recreation Level 1 or 2 course, up to $800. The other scholarship was intended for professional avalanche courses and may be used for a Pro 1, Pro 2, ProAvSAR, ITC, or CLT course, with an award of up to $1,700.

MWACF / East Coast Avalanche Education Professional Scholarship:
In 2024, East Coast Avalanche Education generously donated 1 scholarship for a Professional Level 1 avalanche course from February 17th – February 21st. This course is a professional-level training designed for avalanche workers early in their careers or for experienced workers looking to stay current with industry standards.

2025-2026 Rec 1 Winner

Being awarded the John Donnellan Education Scholarship through the Mount Washington Avalanche Center has been a game changer for building my confidence in the backcountry around Mount Washington Valley.

I didn’t grow up skiing or spending much time in the mountains. As an adult learner from a community often underrepresented in winter sports, my journey into ski touring, mountaineering, and ice climbing has been just as much about gaining access to safe learning spaces as it has been about gathering equipment and gear. I chose to apply for the Donnellan Avalanche Education Scholarship because the cost of avalanche training was the single greatest barrier to taking the next step into the backcountry, even as my ability has grown over consecutive seasons. Beyond learning terrain, rescue, and snow science, the most impactful part of the experience was understanding the value of good planning and decision-making as part of a team.

I am deeply grateful for the Donnellan family’s generosity and hope to inspire others to seek the skills, knowledge, and community needed to recreate in the backcountry safely and with confidence.

2024-2025 Rec 1 Winner

Coming from a low-income family, avalanche education was honestly something I never thought I’d be able to afford on my own, even though I knew how important it was. Before taking the course, I had already worked seasonally in Colorado and spent time in mountain environments where having that knowledge could make a real difference. Receiving the scholarship gave me access to an experience and education that otherwise would not have been possible for me.

The course had a huge impact on me, not just in terms of technical knowledge, but also in the way I approach decision-making and safety in the outdoors. Since taking it, I’ve been in situations where I’ve actively used what I learned from the avalanche course, and I’m incredibly grateful to have had that training and awareness with me in those moments.

More than anything, the scholarship made me feel like these opportunities were accessible to people like me too. Outdoor education, especially avalanche education, can be so financially out of reach, and having support like this truly changes who gets to participate safely in these spaces. I think it’s amazing that John is continuing to support the scholarship, and I know it will make a meaningful difference for future students the same way it did for me.