Student Scholarships

The Hilda Sutton and William D. Blanton Charitable Foundation, Inc. was founded in 1993 in Lakeland, Florida.  The founders, Hilda Sutton Blanton and her husband William D. “Bill” Blanton, moved to Lakeland from North Carolina in the late 1960s.  Hilda, after visiting area churches and seeing their organs not being played, created the Blanton Foundation to fund scholarships for students pursuing careers in religious music. Since its formation, the Blanton Foundation has expanded its mission to provide scholarships to students seeking degrees in a broad variety of musical genres, including both performance and education, and to support numerous other community and arts-based charities both in Lakeland and throughout Polk County, Florida.  The Blanton Foundation embodies the Blantons’ spirit of generosity and community service and continues to demonstrate their lifelong dedication to music, education, and the betterment of their community.

Application Deadline:  April 1, 2025 for Fall 2025 scholarship awards

Minium Eligibility Requirements: 2.5 GPA or above each semester plus demonstrated acceptable standards of citizenship and character; major must be music, including both performance and education.

How to Submit: Please submit completed applications via email to info@hswdblantonfoundation.org