July 22, 2008                        
FAO: social affairs, technology, philanthropy

Second Birthday Celebrated With Gift Giving Spree
Biggest round yet for ASI SMART Company Scholarship Fund

The ASI SMART Company Scholarship Fund has celebrated its second birthday by awarding nine more non profit professionals from across the not for profit sector and across the country grants worth $11,000. This round of funding was one of the most competitive on record with $40,000 worth of funding requested, resulting in some tough decisions for the review panel. 
 
“Demand is increasing so we must be doing something right,” says Paul Ramsbottom, managing director ASI Asia Pacific and instigator of the scholarship fund that aims to strengthen non profit sector professionals. “More not for profit professionals are seeking ongoing professional development than ever before and that’s good news.”

Recipients of the July round of scholarships include staff at: The Wilderness Society, Asthma Foundation of SA, Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia, Australian Red Cross, Hutt St Centre, Anglicord, Time for Kids, Caritas Australia, Australian Institute of Management – Vic/Tas. They hail from West Australia, South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria.

“Four states, nine organisations, recent graduates to the more experienced, household name organisations to smaller groups and they all have one thing in common – they want a smarter not for profit sector.”  
 
Applications are now open for the next round of grants which feature one full and up to five part scholarships to the highly coveted Fundraising Institute of Australia’s Fundraising Leadership Program. The intensive residential program for senior and executive fundraisers covers critical issues in fundraising and philanthropy, transformational leadership, marketing charitable causes and social marketing. It is delivered in conjunction with the Melbourne School of Business and Centre for Social Impact at the University of NSW.
 
The September funding round closes Wednesday September 10.  The ASI SMART Company Scholarship Fund supports individuals to undertake study directly relevant to their work in the non profit sector across Australia and New Zealand. Details: www.advsol.com/ap/scholarship

The Fund received applications requesting more than $40,000 in funding in the June round.  We are pleased to confirm nine Scholarships were awarded with a total value of more than $11,000.  Approximately $9,000 will now be made available for the final two rounds of funding for 2008.

Congratulations to the following Scholarship recipients:

Part A – Fully Funded Education Scholarships

Claire Black - The Wilderness Society
FIA Madison Down Under

Tarnya Van Driel - Asthma Foundation of SA
FIA Madison Down Under

Elaine Young - Australian Red Cross
Diploma of Business (Volunteer Management)

Nicci Gow - Norfoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia
FIA Skills 2 (NSW)

Part B – Education Subsidies for ASI Customers

Salli Bice - Caritas Australia
FIA Skills 1 (NSW)

Angelia Lee - Anglicord
FIA Madison Down Under

Danielle Bayard - Hutt Street Centre
FIA Madison Down Under

Tracey Brown - Time for Kids
FIA Madison Down Under

Part C – Education Grants for ASI Customers

Lucy Callander - Australian Institute of Management (Vic/Tas)
Associations Forum National Conference
 

We thank all the applicants for taking the time to prepare their applications.  Applicants - successful in this round or not - are encouraged to consider applying again in future funding rounds (annually in September, December, March and June).