Supporting the next generation of water professionals

PNWS // AWWA Next Wave Education Fund logo

Why we’re here

The PNWS Next Wave Education Fund exists to strengthen the future of the drinking water industry by investing in education, professional development, and workforce readiness. Through member and community contributions, the fund supports scholarships, training, and certification programs that prepare skilled professionals to deliver safe, reliable, and sustainable water services across the Pacific Northwest.

Formed by the PNWS in 1985, the Next Wave Education Fund is an endowment fund that has grown to over $2.5 million. Earnings from the fund are used to award scholarships. So, when you donate to Next Wave, your investment funds scholarships in perpetuity. It’s vital to continue to grow the fund through donations in order to keep pace with the rising costs of education.

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$896,216

Total Amount
Awarded

$2.5 million

Current Size of
the Fund

$60,000

Amount Given
Out in 2025

Each year, the PNWS Scholarship Committee awards six to twelve scholarships annually to students taking courses that will lead to or improve their careers in the drinking water industry. To date, scholarships have been awarded totaling over $896,216.

In 2025, PNWS provided $60,000 in scholarship funds to twelve students. The program is designed for the second year of community college work, the second and/or third year of undergraduate work, or graduate work. Get more information on scholarships.

Make a difference in the Pacific Northwest drinking water industry. Give today.

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PNWS is a 501(c)3 non-profit educational organization under US IRS statutes and, as such, all donations to the Next Wave Education Fund are tax deductible to the extent of the law.

Make a big impact

When $10,000 or more is donated in someone’s name, a scholarship of at least 10% of the donated funds is awarded in that person’s name each year. Currently, there are nine named scholarships:

Alan Jones
Archie Rice
Cynthia Driscoll
Petty/Stiles
Doane Family
Wubbena Family
RH2 Engineering
Southern Oregon Subsection
Northwest Washington Subsection

The fund allowed me to have more freedom. As a grad student, you often have to do a teaching assistantship. Since I didn’t have to, I had the time to do more research.”

- JENNIFER HOOPER, PhD student and consultant

Because of the Next Wave Fund, I was able to go to school full-time, so it helped me graduate that much faster. If I hadn’t gotten the scholarship, I’d still be working on my associate’s degree, not my bachelor’s.”

- LUIS CAMPOS, Assistant Public Works Director, City of Boardman

I’m coming out of school with less student debt, and that means a lot.”

- CONNOR BERG, Senior studying Civil Engineering at OIT in Klamath Falls

Receiving money from the fund has made me more eager to participate in networking and educational programming with AWWA. It is amazing to know that there is an entire community of professionals who are invested in the future of the industry.”

- TRACY GERHARDT, Senior, Associate of Science in Water and Environmental Technology at Clackamas Community College

The funds allowed me to stay in school much longer than I had planned, which is a big benefit because I learned so much more and was able to pass my operator tests the first time through and in under an hour!”

- CODY SEELYE, Wastewater Management, City of Mololla