Supporting our Members.
Investing in Our Future.
Clan MacKinnon Society provides financial support for members who bring our heritage to life at Highland games, through Scottish and MacKinnon-related projects, and through education.
Gerald McKinnon Memorial Academic Scholarship
Honoring a life of learning.
Inspiring the NExt Generation.
Program Overview
​Clan MacKinnon Society is committed to supporting the next generation of scholars, leaders, and community builders through the Gerald McKinnon Memorial Academic Scholarship Program. Rooted in the values of heritage, service, and learning, the Gerald McKinnon Memorial Academic Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to outstanding high school students pursuing post-secondary education. This program recognizes young people who demonstrate integrity, personal growth, and a commitment to positively contributing to their communities.
Program Mission
Gerald McKinnon LRHSC, FSA Scot (1951-2021) was an insightful historian, tireless researcher, prolific author, and Canadian Army Veteran. As an armiger and representative of the Chief of Clan MacKinnon, Gerry embodied the mission of the Clan MacKinnon Society and held education in the highest esteem; his passion for all things MacKinnon touched everyone he met. He is still missed by his many friends and family.
Through this scholarship, the Clan MacKinnon Society honors Gerald McKinnon and our heritage by empowering young people to reach their full potential—encouraging them to learn deeply, lead with integrity, and uplift others through education and service.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
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Be a current high school senior or recently graduated student planning to enroll in a two- or four-year accredited college, university, trade or vocational program.
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Demonstrate academic dedication, leadership qualities, and involvement in school or community activities.
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Be a child or grandchild of a household containing a member in good standing of the Clan MacKinnon Society.
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Submit a completed application, transcript, and essay.
Award Amount
The Clan MacKinnon Society will award one or more scholarships annually. Award amounts may vary based on available funds and applicant strength. For the 2026-2027 academic year, each award amount is US$500.
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Application Components
1. Application Form – Basic student information, educational goals, extracurricular involvement, college/program acceptance, and community service. Personal references are recommended. The current academic year deadline is September 15th, 2026.
2. High School Transcript – An unofficial or official copy demonstrating academic performance.
3. Essay Response – 500–750 words addressing:​
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Why are you interested in receiving the Clan MacKinnon Society Scholarship?
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How will this scholarship support your education or career aspirations?
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How do you hope to use your education to benefit others or your community?
4. Recommendation Letter (optional) – Insight into the applicant’s character and achievements.
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Evaluation Criteria
The Scholarship Committee evaluates applicants based on:
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Alignment with the Society’s values
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Quality and insight demonstrated in the essay
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Community involvement and leadership
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Academic effort and promise
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Completeness and professionalism of the application
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Selection and Notification
Recipients will be notified by email and announced at the Clan MacKinnon Society’s General Meeting or Clan Gathering. Scholarship funds will be sent directly to the institution to support tuition, books, or related expenses.​
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Questions? Email scholarship@themackinnon.org
Clan Tent Stipend
Bring Clan MacKinnon
to the Games
Background
$100 will be given annually to up to ten Society members who host a clan tent at a Highland games in their area. The money awarded may be used to defray tent registration costs, to purchase necessary clan tent supplies, etc. The Board of Directors reserves the right to award more than $100 depending on various factors: event registration cost, number of events/tents being hosted by the member in a season, travel costs, funding remaining in the budget, etc.
Eligibility Requirements
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Any Society member who has hosted a clan tent within the current calendar year is eligible to receive the stipend.
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The stipend is given when proof of hosting has been submitted. Proof can include a photo or social media post of yourself at your tent, an article you submit about the experience to our Shank Bone enewsletter, a copy of your clan tent registration receipt, etc.
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Additional applications from the same individual within the same calendar year will be considered on a case-by-case basis and as remaining available funds allow.
Deadline
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis year-round but are only awarded to recipients in the calendar year in which they hosted their clan tent.
Cultural Grant
Explore your heritage
Grant Amount
​Clan MacKinnon Society offers three grants awarded annually (applications are accepted between April 1 and 30 each year). Each grant applicant can apply for up to $400 in funds. The funds awarded are based on strength and merit of the application, and cost of the endeavor for which the applicant is seeking funds.
What could your grant support?
Learn
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Gaelic lessons
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Scottish history workshops
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Bagpipe lessons
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Highland dance lessons​​​
Discover
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Genealogy research
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DNA testing
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Professional genealogy
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Heraldry ​​​
Gather
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Burns Suppers
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Scottish social events
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Whisky tastings
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Local gatherings
Give Back
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Service projects
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Trail clean-ups
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Refurbishment of historic signs
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Cemetery clean-ups ​​​
Grant Amount
​Clan MacKinnon Society offers three grants awarded annually (applications are accepted between April 1 and 30 each year). Each grant applicant can apply for up to $400 in funds. The funds awarded are based on strength and merit of the application, and cost of the endeavor for which the applicant is seeking funds.
Eligibility Requirements
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All Society members are eligible to apply.
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If awarded, you should plan to use the funds by December of the year in which you are awarded.
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Awardees will be required to write about how they used their grant for an article to be published in the winter edition of the Shank Bone (Clan MacKinnon Society's quarterly e-newsletter).
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Recipients will return, in full, any grant received if they do not utilize it for which it was intended or have not used it by December of the year in which it was awarded. In case of injury or illness, an exception may be made upon petition to the Grants Committee with full explanation of the circumstances.
Deadline
The deadline for applications is now closed and will reopen here in April 2027.​​​