2024 Application: Membership Scholarship

ELIGIBILITY

Scholarship Recipients must:
· be responsible for fundraising for a 501(c)(3) organization
· be from an organization that meets the criteria for the scholarship to which they are applying

APPLICATION PROCESS

Once eligible, submit the completed application by June 30, 2024. You will be notified by August 15, 2024 regarding the scholarship committee's decision.

SCHOLARSHIP BENEFITS

Winning scholarship recipients must submit their application for AFP membership in the appropriate membership category directly to AFP International. AFP NWA will reimburse recipients or recipient organization.

Your Contact Information

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Address Line 1 *

Address Line 2

Phone *

City *

State *

Zip *

Member Scholarship Descriptions

Chapter Membership Scholarship | AFP of Northwest Arkansas awards three types of membership scholarships to defray the costs of joining the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Approximately 4 to 5 scholarship will be awarded.

Allison A. McElroy Membership Scholarship | Supported by AFP NWA Chapter co-founder, Allison A. McElroy, one of the following three types of membership scholarships to defray the costs of joining or continuing an AFP membership. Only one scholarship will be awarded from this category.

Diverse Communities Scholarship | Intended for fundraising professional who self identifies as coming from an eligible diverse community as defined by AFP (African-American/Black, Asian, Disabled, Faith-based, LGBTQ+, Hispanic, Jewish or Rural) OR fundraising professional/fundraising executive director employed by an eligible AFP diverse community where 50% or more staff members are from that diverse community OR work for a nonprofit organization that serves a 50% or more eligible AFP diverse community client base. One scholarship will be awarded in this category.

Jill Wagar Diversity Membership Scholarship | Supported by AFP Chapter member, Jill Wagar to increase participation of underrepresented groups in the fundraising profession in northwest Arkansas so our fundraising community better reflects the individuals we serve. The individual will self-identify as a member of an underrepresented group in one of the following categories: race, ethnicity, age, sexuality, or ability/disability. Preference given to individuals who identify as black, Indigenous or a person of color. One scholarship is available in this category.

Cyndi Bilyeu Memorial Leadership Scholarship | Named in memory of Cyndi Bilyeu, who was a long-time member of our Northwest Arkansas Chapter as an Executive Director and CEO of local nonprofits in our region. She was a committed member of AFP and encouraged and inspired leadership, continued professional development, mentorship and relationships in fundraising. This scholarship is open for Executive Directors/CEOs of organizations with responsibilities over fundraising. One scholarship is available in this category.

Organization Name * The field Organization Name is required.

Current Title * The field Current Title is required.

I am a current member of AFP NWA * The field I am a current member of AFP NWA is required.

Organization's Annual Budget * The field Organization's Annual Budget is required.

Organizations Annual Development Budget * The field Organizations Annual Development Budget is required.

Organization's Professional Development Budget * The field Organization's Professional Development Budget is required.

Percentage of time fundraising in current position * The field Percentage of time fundraising in current position is required.

Length of time fundraising for current org * The field Length of time fundraising for current org is required.

Total years in fundraising. Note full vs part time * The field Total years in fundraising. Note full vs part time is required.

Need Statement - Please provide a brief statement describing why you and/or your organization would benefit from an AFP NWA Chapter Scholarship. * The field Need Statement - Please provide a brief statement describing why you and/or your organization would benefit from an AFP NWA Chapter Scholarship. is required.

I am a full-time fundraising professional or spend at least 50% of my time fundraising on behalf of a non-profit. I understand I am expected to attend AFP education sessions.

Supervisor’s Authorization - I verify that my supervisor approves my application for scholarship. Additionally, my supervisor gives me permission to attend AFP education sessions.

Which AFP membership scholarship are you applying for? (Please select all scholarships you are eligible to receive. A recipient can only receive one scholarship.)

Membership Application Type (definitions below)

Membership Descriptions

Small Nonprofit Organizational Membership

Open to nonprofit organizations who can answer yes to all the following criteria:
- Must be a nonprofit organization – individuals, consultants and for-profit entities may apply for a different category
- An operating budget of less than $2,000,000
- A fundraising department with less than two (2) Full time equivalent (FTE) staff
- Individually incorporated or otherwise organized as a separate entity in the laws of the specific country; and
- Not affiliated with a larger institution supporting their operations.
The organization will designate one fundraising professional to receive the benefits offered in this membership category. The membership will be transferred to another individual if the member leaves the organization. AFP of NWA will reimburse the organization $185 as the scholarship recipient.

Young Professionals Scholarship

Open to persons who hold some degree of responsibility directly for fundraising, work within the U.S. and Canada and are compensated for their services, and are 30 years old or younger, must subscribe to the AFP Code of Ethical Standards and promote the Donor Bill of Rights and be employed, or have been employed by an organization that provides benefits to society. Individuals 26 years old or younger: $65.00 plus $30.00 chapter dues; 27 to 30 years old: $120.00 plus $55.00 chapter dues).
AFP of NWA will reimburse the member (or organization sponsoring membership) $95 or $175 as recipient.

Professional Membership

AFP of NWA will award one professional membership a year. Priority will be given to individuals who have never been a member of AFP, but consideration will also be given to individuals whose membership may have lapsed due to budget shortfalls, or other unforeseen circumstances. Full membership in the Association shall be open to individuals (a) who, among other responsibilities, hold some degree of accountability for income-generation within the fundraising process; (b) who must hold some degree of responsibility directly for fundraising; (c) who are compensated for their services; and (d) who subscribe to the AFP Code of Ethical Standards and promote the Donor Bill of Rights. $290.00 plus selected chapter dues.
APF of NWA will reimburse the member or organization $290. Professional membership scholarships will still be responsible for Chapter dues ($35).