Horizon Community Funds of Northern Kentucky recognizes the power of education and the transformational impact it can have on individuals and families. Transformational change is also part of our community’s DNA.

In Northern Kentucky, CVG Airport has transformed over the last decade into a hub of employment activity and a catalyst for community growth, supporting more than 49,000 jobs in the region as of 2022. With this growth comes a world of career opportunities.

Careers in the aviation field continue to take off but demand a well-educated workforce. Studies show career opportunities in aviation are projected to grow—from pilots and air traffic controllers to aviation maintenance professionals, crew schedulers, and even attorneys and accountants. It takes millions of people to keep air cargo and passengers on the move. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for airline and commercial pilots continues to grow at four percent per year to keep pace with demand. Some studies expect around 650,000 jobs in the sector in the coming decade. And, at CVG, a recent study showed the need for 1,500 aviation maintenance professionals in the next five years alone.

Aviation careers vary widely in terms of training and qualifications. Aerospace engineers may have masters-level requirements, but some careers, like aviation maintenance professionals, only require an 18-month program that leads to an FAA licensure. Starting salaries for such careers begin in the $60,000/year range. While education for aviation careers is not inexpensive, it leads to strong potential lifetime earnings over the course of a career. It enables people to reach new heights in achieving self-sufficiency and supporting a family. And growing a talent pipeline here in the region will enable CVG’s future growth, which leads to a virtuous cycle of additional job growth and regional sector specialization that puts Northern Kentucky on the map.

To support this growth at CVG, to better prepare people for exciting careers, and to honor the impact and legacy of CVG CEO Candace McGraw, Horizon Community Funds has established the Candace McGraw SOAR Scholars Fund, an endowed scholarship fund. Scholarships and tuition assistance distributed from this fund will support those individuals in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area who are pursuing educational opportunities in an aviation-related field. The McGraw SOAR Scholarship will create a lasting impact, just as Candace has had at CVG and in the Northern Kentucky region during her 14-year tenure as CEO of CVG. But, her career has spanned three decades in law and aviation, and she knows how education to prepare people for careers in aviation can be life-changing.

“I often tell young people that one of the hallmarks of my success has been to ‘study and lean into your craft.’ I chose a career in the airport industry, and it opened up a world of possibilities for me. Access to education enables you to fully lean into your craft, and you then believe in yourself, allowing you to achieve anything.”

Horizon Community Funds is soliciting leadership gifts to endow the scholarship fund, which begin at $25,000. This endowed fund will help local students, elevate our region’s aviation industry, and celebrate Candace’s legacy at CVG, across the airport industry, and in the community she has served with pride.

If you would like to make a gift or pledge, please contact Nancy Grayson or submit your contribution below. This fund is expected to be publicly announced in 2025, at which time donors may choose to be identified or remain anonymous. Thank you for your consideration and support.