Established in 1995 as a fund of The Dunkirk Foundation through the Will of Miss Ella Cunningham, a long time teacher in the Dunkirk schools.  The fund is to provide scholarships to students of the Dunkirk area, later defined to be applicants living within the city limits of Dunkirk.  Preference is given to students seeking higher education in either business or education.  Further preference is given to female applicants.  The fund was transferred to The Portland Foundation in 2023 when The Dunkirk Foundation merged with The Portland Foundation.