Will Lindahl Scholarship

The Will Lindahl Scholarship honors the extraordinary life and legacy of William E. Lindahl, an
advocate, educator, and nonprofit leader whose work transformed how injured individuals and
persons with disabilities are supported through Special Needs Trusts.
This scholarship provides full financial support for a deserving professional fiduciary or allied
professional to attend the 2026 Special Needs Planning Symposium in Napa, California.
This opportunity is designed for professionals who are committed to fiduciary service and
disability advocacy, especially those who seek to deepen their role as Special Needs Trust
trustees or to represent the interests of persons with disabilities in trust administration and
planning.

Scholarship Benefits

• Recipients of the Will Lindahl Scholarship will receive:
• Full registration to the 2026 Special Needs Planning Symposium from February 5-7,
  2026 at the Meritage Resort & Spa in Napa, California
• Hotel accommodations for the duration of the event
• A travel allowance to assist with transportation costs
• All meals and receptions are included in the Symposium program

Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:

• Be a licensed professional fiduciary, trust administrator, or trust officer working on
  behalf of beneficiaries with special needs
• Have fewer than five years of experience as a fiduciary, or be newly focused on Special
  Needs Trust administration
• Demonstrate a clear interest in serving as an SNT trustee or advocating for persons with
  disabilities
• Be available to attend the full Symposium from February 5-7, 2026

Application Instructions
To apply, please submit the following materials by November 21, 2025:
1. A resume or curriculum vitae
2. A one-page personal statement describing your interest in special needs or
conservatorship law, and why you wish to attend the Symposium

3. One letter of recommendation from a fiduciary or similar professional familiar with
your qualifications

All application materials should be submitted via email to: Kevin@Urbatsch.com

William E. Lindahl devoted his life to helping others with quiet determination, profound
humility, and unwavering purpose. As the National Executive Director of CPT Institute,
he led one of the country’s most impactful nonprofit organizations focused on Pooled
Special Needs Trusts, helping to establish more than 10,000 trusts nationwide. He was a
trusted guide for attorneys, fiduciaries, and families navigating the complex world of
public benefits and long-term planning.

Mr. Lindahl’s expertise was unparalleled. He provided education and no-cost
consultations to legal professionals across the United States. His focus included fiduciary
analysis, SSA and Medicaid regulations, spend-down strategies, agency coordination,
catastrophic injury planning, and benefit preservation. His work ensured that individuals
with disabilities could access essential services without jeopardizing critical benefits, and
that the professionals who served them had the tools to do so ethically and effectively.

But Mr. Lindahl’s impact extended far beyond his knowledge. He was a man of
unstoppable purpose. Despite being visually impaired and a cancer survivor, he never
slowed down. He never hesitated to serve but remained deeply grounded in gratitude
and joy. He prioritized family, friendships, and meaningful connections, constantly
carving out time to be present with those he loved. His mission was personal and
profound: to ensure that those he served had the education, support, and legal
protections they needed to live with dignity, independence, and a higher quality of life.
Mr. Lindahl began his career in service as a firefighter, paramedic, respiratory therapist,
neonatal flight team member, and Medicare/Medicaid fraud auditor.

Every chapter of his life was dedicated to improving care systems for others, whether through direct
emergency service or national public policy impact.

The Will Lindahl Scholarship honors this extraordinary legacy. It supports early-career
fiduciaries and professionals who, like Will, are committed to justice, access, and tireless
service to those who need it most.