Brill Scholarship

In 1981, Helen and Bob Brill co-founded PFLAG Hartford and served as presidents for eight years. The Brills donated funds to support a scholarship for students who exemplify the mission of PFLAG Hartford. Years later, fundraisers and the generosity of donors have enabled PFLAG Hartford to maintain this important scholarship.

PFLAG believes that through support, education, and advocacy, we are helping to make our community a healthier, more informed, safer, fairer and happier place for LGBTQ+ people, their families, and their loved ones.

Through the Brill Scholarship, PFLAG Hartford can recognize Connecticut students entering their freshman year of college who are involved in support, education and/or advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community. The Brill Scholarship is awarded annually to individuals attending or accepted to attend a technical program, community college or 4-year college or university.

This award is made possible through generous donations from local businesses, large companies and their team members, and individuals who support PFLAG’s mission. Since its inception, we have awarded over $30,300 in scholarships and helped many individuals defray the cost of higher education.

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Our 2026 Recipients

Kinnick C.

Kinnick graduated from Norwich Free Academy and will be studying business and hospitality at the University of Connecticut this fall with the goal of continuing his activism and embodying the values of acceptance, empathy, and inclusion by opening a cafe or wellness space. He served as President of the Connecticut Association of Student Councils, where he helped create more inclusive environments across schools.

Kinnick also wrote and published a memoir focused on mental health, identity, and self-acceptance, titled, Three Years of Learning to Be Enough. He said that by sharing his personal experiences, he hopes to connect with and support others as they navigate similar challenges so that they may feel less alone.

He described his intentions for the future well when he shared the following in his essay: “For me, it will never be about food or business. I want to create a space where people, especially LGBTQ+ individuals, feel safe, welcomed, and valued without question. A place where someone can walk in exactly as they are and feel like they belong.”

Percy Fiedler

Percy graduated from Farmington High School and will be studying at Central Connecticut State University this fall with the intention of continuing his activism through his work in the field of human services and, as he put it, “helping others feel seen.”

His application highlighted his leadership in advocating for the LGBTQ+ community at his school, as president of its GSA and organizer for its annual Social Justice Week.

He helped develop and present workshops focused on LGBTQ+ issues and fostering meaningful dialogue within the school community. It is through this work, he says, that he learned the power of education, when “understanding replaces assumption, [and] when a conversation opens instead of shutting down.” Percy is “led by encouragement, collaboration, and compassion, taking the initiative to support their peers and ensure everyone has a safe space to be themselves.”, as per his peers.

Percy said that his experiences as an LGBTQ+ activist made him realize “that education isn’t just about information: it’s about empathy.” He said that whether he becomes a counselor, a social worker, or takes another path within human services, he wants to “continue creating those moments of connection and understanding.”

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2025: June Carpenter

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