About Us

HISTORY
In 1976, the Pauline Memorial AME Zion Church was nearly destroyed by arson. Because of this event, Dorothy Patch, long time school teacher and community activist and Rev. Nellie Thompson, founder of the Pauline Memorial AME Zion Church, began to work together to find ways to change Salem’s racial climate. These two pioneers in racial diversity have lifted a strong voice for racial justice and equality in Salem.

Motivated by their courage and leadership, the Nellie Thompson-Dorothy Patch Scholarship Fund was established in 1993 to help students of racial and/or ethnic origin in Salem achieve their dreams.

ABOUT
The Nellie Thompson-Dorothy Patch Scholarship is a private, non-profit fund located in Salem, Oregon. Our Fund is named after two champions for scholarship justice and equity in our community.

To honor their legacy, the Thompson-Patch Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance to underrepresented students of color in the Salem-area to support their pursuit of college or trade school. Since 1995, the Fund has assisted more than 250 students who have faced obstacles in their lives and who have shown promise and resilience by overcoming adversity.

Rev. Nellie Thompson

Dorothy Patch

Contact Us

Thompson-Patch Scholarship Fund,
PO Box 13584,
Salem, OR 97309

Tel: 503-779-5414
Email: ThompsonPatchFund@gmail.com