Membership Scholarship Policy
Date Approved: April 10, 2009

Overview:

The Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater Dayton Region Chapter (AFP) offers Membership Scholarships to local professionals who will benefit from an increased knowledge of fundraising but are unable to afford the full cost of annual membership dues. AFP Membership Scholarships cover one hundred percent (100%) of the cost of national membership dues for one full year:

• First-Year Introductory Member: Scholarship covers national dues of $100.
• Second-Year Introductory Member: Scholarship covers national dues of $150.
• Active Member: Scholarship covers national dues of $250.
• Associate Member: Scholarship covers national dues of $250.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria:

• Applicants must be currently employed as a full-time fundraising professional, spend at least fifty percent (50%) of their work schedule dedicated towards fundraising for his or her employer, or serve as a board member / leadership volunteer for a local nonprofit organization dedicating at least fifty percent (50%) of his or her services towards fundraising for said organization.
• Applicants must be employed within the Greater Dayton Region and/or perform at least fifty percent (50%) of their fundraising services for nonprofit organizations located within the Greater Dayton Region.
• Applicants must agree to volunteer for an AFP Committee for one full year if awarded a Membership Scholarship.
• Applicants must not have received any other local AFP scholarships in the past year.
• Preference will be given to nonprofit organizations with limited resources and individuals new to the field of fundraising.

Scholarship Timelines:

First Trimester Awards:

• January 1 - March 31: Individuals may submit applications for First Trimester Membership Scholarships. Individuals will receive confirmation of their application upon receipt by phone call and/or email. 
• April: Applications are reviewed and processed by the AFP Scholarship Committee. Awards and rejections are sent to First Trimester applicants no later than April 30.

Second Trimester Awards:

• May 1 - July 31: Individuals may submit applications for Second Trimester Membership Scholarships. Individuals will receive confirmation of their application upon receipt by phone call and/or email.
• August: Applications are reviewed and processed by the AFP Scholarship Committee. Awards and rejections are sent to Second Trimester applicants no later than August 31.

Third Trimester Awards:

• September 1 - November 30: Individuals may submit applications for Third Trimester Membership Scholarships. Individuals will receive confirmation of their application upon receipt by phone call and/or email. 
• December: Applications are reviewed and processed by the AFP Scholarship Committee. Awards and rejections are sent to Third Trimester applicants no later than December 31.

Awards and Rejections: 

• Applicants who are selected to receive a Membership Scholarship will receive both a phone call and a letter informing them that they have won the award. Award recipients will also be given a list of AFP committees from which to select for their volunteer service. Membership Scholarship recipients agree to contact the chair of their chosen AFP committee(s) and inform them of their decision to volunteer within thirty days of receiving said award notifications.
• Membership Scholarship recipients agree to submit payment of local membership dues ($25) payable to "Association of Fundraising Professionals" within thirty days of receiving their award notifications to AFP's Vice President, Membership. Recipients will receive a notification by both email and postal mail when their membership information has been processed and activated.
• Individuals whose applications were rejected will be contacted by phone call, letter and/or email with an offer to have their applications automatically resubmitted into the next trimester's awards procedure.

How to Apply:

Submit a completed Membership Scholarship Application and a one-page letter detailing how this award will benefit you and your organization to:

Anne Merrill, Chapter Administrator
AFP, Greater Dayton Region Chapter
PO Box 3515
Dayton, OH  45401-3515
Phone: (937) 789-4132
Email: admin@afpdayton.org