Category ArchiveMedia
General & Recipients & Media 11 Nov 2010 10:20 am
Media Release - ASI gives back with its SMART Company Scholarship Fund
ASI gives back with its SMART Company Scholarship Fund
- Five recipients able to further their career for the benefit of their not-for-profit -
Melbourne, 11th November 2010: Advanced Solutions International (ASI) today announced the third round of the ASI SMART Company Scholarship Fund, which will provide financial support for the professional development of five dedicated people working in the not-for-profit sector.
The ASI SMART Company Scholarship Fund encourages the professional education and development of individuals working in the not-for-profit sector. Established in 2006, it provides much-needed financial assistance and education subsidies of up to $25,000 each year.
Kate Topp, Acting Coordinator - Membership and Fundraising at Carers Victoria, received her second fully funded educational scholarship. After completing the FIA Skills 1 course last year with the assistance of the Scholarship Fund, Kate will further her professional abilities through FIA Skills 2.
Kate recognised the benefits the fund provided not only for her own professional development but also for Carers Victoria. “The Scholarship Fund has given me the opportunity to build my knowledge, learn new skills and bring a fresh approach to our fundraising department,” Kate said. “I’m really passionate about Carers Victoria, and the further education that helps me to do my job better is only going to benefit the work that we do and the people we help.”
The ASI SMART Company Scholarship Fund has assisted more than 100 people from the not-for-profit sector since its inception. Paul Ramsbottom, managing director of ASI Asia-Pacific and chairman of the fund, recognised the difficulty many not-for-profits faced in budgeting for professional development . He established the fund not only to grow the careers of people working in not-for-profit organisations, but to ensure that this professional education contributed to the ongoing advancement of the sector.
“I’m continually inspired by the passion and commitment of those working in the not-for-profit sector,” Paul Ramsbottom said. “Professional education and development is a vital part of organisational growth, and we think it particularly important when that advancement has a direct effect on the sector and those people who rely on the excellent work done by not-for-profits.”
Jodie Martin and Sandra Cavanagh of Guide Dogs Queensland also received fully funded educational scholarships from the ASI SMART Company Scholarship Fund, which they will use for FIA Skills courses.
Jonathan La Nauze at Friends of the Earth received an education subsidy to assist in his Graduate Certificate in Business Philanthropy and Non Profit Studies at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and Rebecca Thomas of Local Government Managers Australia used her education grant to attend the NiUG Asia Pacific 2010 Discovery Conference.
The next round of funding closes on 10 December 2010 and further information can be found at www.advsol.com/ap/scholarship.
ASI’s flagship software product iMIS is used by more than 280 not-for-profit organisations in the Asia Pacific region including Cancer Council Victoria, National Breast Cancer Foundation, The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, The Royal Australian College Of General Practitioners, Surf Life Saving Foundation and The Tax Practitioners Board.
Ends
For more information or to organise an interview with Advanced Solutions International, please contact:
Jocelyn Hunter
Bench PR
Phone: +61 03 9531 6782
Email: Jocelyn@benchpr.com.au
About ASI
Advanced Solutions International (ASI) is the largest, privately owned global provider of software for member and donor-based non-for-profit organisations and has served nearly 3000 customers and millions of users worldwide since 1991.
ASI is the developer of iMIS, an upgradeable software solution for managing associations, membership, non-profits, and fundraising. iMIS 15, the latest evolution of iMIS, leverages Microsoft’s .NET development platform to provide a flexible and open web-based solution.
General & Recipients & Media 03 Aug 2010 09:35 am
Media Release - Madison Down Under prompts largest round of ASI’s SMART Company Scholarship Fund
August 3, 2010
Madison Down Under prompts largest round of ASI’s SMART Company Scholarship Fund
- Eight recipients and over $9000 awarded in June 2010 -
Advanced Solutions International (ASI) today announced that the latest round of the ASI SMART Company Scholarship Fund has committed over $9,000 to the professional development of eight recipients working in the not-for-profit sector.
The largest round in the history of the Fund had applications requesting more than $80,000 of funding. Over half of the requests were to attend the Fundraising Institute of Australia’s (FIA) intensive fundraising educational program, Madison Down Under, which starts on August 13th in the Barossa Valley.
The ASI SMART Company Scholarship Fund was established in 2006 to encourage the professional education of all individuals working in the not-for-profit sector. It provides financial assistance and education subsidies of up to $25,000 a year and has benefited more than 100 individuals since its inception.
Heiko Plange of Brightwater Care Group and Anthea Jackson of the Make-A-Wish Foundation will receive fully funded educational scholarships to attend the four-day residential education program, Madison Down Under 2010, giving them access to the newest strategies and tips from experts in the not-for-profit field from Australia and throughout the world.
Paul Ramsbottom, ASI Asia Pacific managing director, established the Fund after attending Madison Down Under and being inspired by the dedication of people working in the not-for-profit sector, many of whom funded their attendance personally.
“ASI is consistently in awe that so many outstanding people work in the not-for-profit sector, proven yet again by the high quality applications for this round of the Scholarship Fund”, Ramsbottom said. “We believe in education, but understand that not-for-profit organisations often struggle to find even limited funding for staff development. The SMART Company Scholarship Fund is dedicated to furthering professional development and making a real long term difference to the sector”.
ASI SMART Company Scholarship Fund recipients include Meranda Palmer of Coeliac the Research Fund, Janyne Parsonage of Starlight Children’s Foundation and Sian Lambert of Kids Camps Inc.
Bren Arkinstall of the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Queensland will receive an education subsidy to assist him in undertaking the Graduate Certificate in Business Philanthropy and Non Profit Studies at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). Kay Powell of Karuna Hospice Service Ltd will receive an educational grant toward a CSA Certificate in Governance Practice and Administration, while Shellee Duncan of the National Breast Cancer Foundation will use her scholarship to attend the Australasian Fundraising Forum 2010.
The next round of funding closes on 10 September 2010 and further information can be found at www.advsol.com/ap/scholarship.
ASI’s flagship software product iMIS is used by more than 280 not-for-profit organisations in the Asia Pacific region including Cancer Council Victoria, National Breast Cancer Foundation, The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, The Royal Australian College Of General Practitioners, Surf Life Saving Foundation and The Tax Practitioners Board.
Ends
For more information or to organise an interview with Advanced Solutions International, please contact:
Jocelyn Hunter
Director, Bench PR
Phone: +61 03 95316782
Email: jocelyn@benchpr.com.au
About ASI
Advanced Solutions International (ASI) is the largest, privately owned global provider of software for member and donor-based non-for-profit organisations and has served nearly 3000 customers and millions of users worldwide since 1991.
ASI is the developer of iMIS, an upgradeable software solution for managing associations, membership, non-profits, and fundraising. iMIS 15, the latest evolution of iMIS, leverages Microsoft’s .NET development platform to provide a flexible and open web-based solution.
General & Media 22 Jan 2009 11:05 am
Media Release - 25,000 Reasons for Non Profit Professionals to be Happy in 2009
January 22, 2009
25,000 Reasons for Non Profit Professionals to be Happy in 2009
This is shaping up as a very happy new year indeed for the latest five recipients of Advanced Solutions International’s ASI SMART Company Scholarships.
The December round recipients will attend a major conference, undertake training in fundraising and develop their skills in training and assessment courtesy of the scholarships.
“The December 2008 round was one of the most competitive in the fund’s three-year history, so these recipients can be particularly proud,” says Paul Ramsbottom, ASI Asia Pacific managing director and fund chair. “With a fresh $25,000 of funding available in 2009 we are looking to more scholarships, more smarts and more smiles.”
The December round received applications for $15,000 worth of scholarships, making a total of $70,000 worth of scholarships applied for in 2008. Twenty-eight people were successful over the year. Of course, it’s not just individuals who benefit but the non-profit organisations for which they work, in this case:
• Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists;
• Asthma Foundation NSW;
• The Infants’ Home;
• Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia; and
• Earthwatch Australia.
Scholarships are once again on offer in 2009, with another $25,000 worth of funding available to individuals working in not-for-profits. Applicants must be Australian or New Zealand citizens, or have permanent residency, and be either full-time or permanent part-time employees at an NFP. A maximum of $2000 per individual for studies directly relevant to the applicant’s professional development in the sector is available. More about ASI SMART Company Scholarships at: www.advsol.com/ap/scholarship.
About ASI: Advanced Solutions International (Asia-Pacific) – ASI – has more than 35 staff and over 300 clients from the not-for-profit, charity and association sectors including: Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Cancer Council Victoria and the Australian Medical Association. They use ASI’s flagship software solution iMIS to manage membership communications, fundraising, events, payments and website content.
Media: Paul Ramsbottom is available to talk about the ASI SMART Company Scholarship Fund, associations, charities and not-for-profits and their use of technology, association management, Australia’s IT industry and more. Contact ASI media advisor, Brett de Hoedt of Hootville Communications, on +61 3 9017 1062 or brett@hootville.com
General & Media 25 Jul 2008 06:51 pm
Media Release - Second Birthday Celebrated With Gift Giving Spree
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
General & Media 06 Dec 2007 09:59 am
Media Release - Merry Christmases Available – Apply Now
4 December 2007
FAO: COS, social affairs, philanthropy, technology
Merry Christmases Available – Apply Now
ASI SMART Company Scholarship Fund December Round Closing Soon
Give yourself a reason to feel festive this Christmas by applying for the December round of the ASI SMART Company Scholarship Fund.
The fund is aimed at non profit professionals wanting to undertake study directly relevant to their work in the non profit sector across Australia and New Zealand. Applicants choose from a range of options including diploma and certificate level qualifications in fundraising, leadership and volunteer management.
Educations providers include the Fundraising Industry Association, CPA Australia, School of Volunteer Management, Associations Forum and Queensland University of Technology.
Around $7000 worth of scholarships are available in the December 2007 round. Already this year $18,000 of scholarships have been funded with another $25,000 available in 2008.
“We’re going to create some very happy new years for non-profit professionals,” says Yuletide philanthropist, ASI managing director and fund chair Paul Ramsbottom.
“The opportunities we’re funding will mean that organisations can finish 2008 smarter than they started. That’s a worthwhile new year’s resolution. Be quick - t’is the season to put in a scholarship application.”
Winners of the September round of funding included professionals from Diabetes WA, Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia, St Hilda’s College, The Gliding Federation of Australia and The Heart Research Institute.
The ASI SMART Company Scholarship Fund is now in its second year. Winners of the December round will be announced in mid January. Applications close December 10. Details at: www.advsol.com/ap/scholarship
About ASI: Advanced Solutions International (Asia-Pacific) - ASI - has more than 35 staff and over 400 clients from the not-for-profit, charity and association sectors including: Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, The Cancer Council Victoria and the Australian Medical Association. They use ASI’s flagship software solution iMIS to manage membership communications, fundraising, events, payments and website content.
Media: Paul Ramsbottom is available to talk about the ASI SMART Company Scholarship Fund; associations, charities and not for profits and their use of technology, association management, Australia’s IT industry and more. Contact ASI media adviser, Brett de Hoedt of Hootville Communications on 03 9510 0848 / brett@hootville.com
General & Media 16 Jul 2007 02:37 pm
Media Release - ASI Honoured with Prime Minister’s Community Business Partnership Award Nomination
July 16, 2007
FAO: COS, social affairs, technology, philanthropy
Advanced Solutions International Honoured with Prime Minister’s Community Business Partnership Award Nomination
Advanced Solutions International (Asia Pacific) has been honoured with a nomination for a 2007 Prime Minister’s Community Business Partnership Award by the Fundraising Institute Australia.
The nomination recognises the fruitful relationship between ASI, which provides software to the non-profit sector and the FIA, which represents the sector’s fundraisers. At the heart of the partnership is the innovative ASI SMART Company Scholarship Fund which funds training courses, conference attendance and professional development for individuals working in the non-profit sector.
“ASI’s SMART Company Scholarship Fund stands out as a prime example of a practical, focused and powerful community business partnership,” says FIA CEO Dr Sue-Ann Wallace. “This partnerships strengthens us both but more so the non-profit sector which we serve.” State and territory winners will be announced late August.
The nomination has ASI managing director Paul Ramsbottom ecstatic. “I’m actually quite emotional about it,” he says. “But my staff would say I’m always emotional about something. It’s especially rewarding because we’ve worked hard with the FIA to build a genuine partnership – not just swapping money for some logo exposure. We’ve evolved from sponsor to partner. It feels good.”
General & Media 16 Jul 2007 02:32 pm
Media Release - Winter Suddenly a Little Warmer for ASI SMART Company Scholarship Winners
July 16, 2007
FAO: COS, social affairs, technology, philanthropy
Winter Suddenly a Little Warmer for
ASI SMART Company Scholarship WinnersSeven more winners announced
ASI SMART Company Scholarship WinnersSeven more winners announced
Seven non profit professionals have reason to feel a little warmer this winter courtesy of the latest round of the ASI SMART Company Scholarships. The winners, who come from New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria will share in more than $6000 of funding to develop their professional skills and strengthen the non profit organisations for which they work.
The latest round attracted more than $20,000 of funding applications from Australian and New Zealand non profit professionals. The magnificent seven who most impressed the selection panel are professionals from Monash University Medical Foundation, The Mary Potter Foundation, Bush Heritage Australia, Australian College of Health Service Executives, YHA Victoria and two individuals from Diabetes Australia - Victoria.
Now in its second year, 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. This round’s winners will build on their skills with training in fundraising, workplace training and assessment and attending national conferences for the non profit sector.
General & Media 31 May 2007 05:11 pm
“A few well-placed dollars nail results” - Fund Chair Paul Ramsbottom writes in The Age
“THERE’S a lot of talk about the need for corporate Australia to pick up the slack and give more support to the not-for-profit sector…”
- read the article by Paul Ramsbottom, ASI SMART Company Scholarship Fund Chair and ASI Managing Director in The Age newspaper. Read the full article here.
General & Media 08 May 2007 11:52 am
ASI’s Paul Ramsbottom on ABC Radio National
ASI’s Managing Director (and Chair of the ASI SMART Company Scholarship Fund) recently featured on ABC Radio National’s Perspective Program discussing Corporate Social Responsibility and the success of the ASI SMART Company Scholarship Fund.
To listen to the program or read the transcript ‘For Want of a Nail’ go to http://www.abc.net.au/rn/perspective/stories/2007/1909783.htm
General & Media 20 Apr 2007 01:43 pm
Media Release - Saints, White Lions and Kiwis Among Scholarship Winners
April 16, 2007
FAO: COS, news desks, social affairs, technology, philanthropy reporters
Saints, White Lions and Kiwis Among Scholarship Winners
ASI SMART Company Scholarship Fund
Interest in the ASI SMART Company Scholarship Fund continues to grow with 26 individuals applying for $30,000 of funding in the March round.
Interest in the continues to grow with 26 individuals applying for $30,000 of funding in the March round.
Recipients from this round of funding include individuals from: Wellington Free Ambulance, youth services provider Whitelion, Orana Family Services, AIDS Council of New South Wales, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and St John Ambulance. They will share $7000 in funding for training in fundraising, project management and university study.
Now in its second year the ASI SMART Company Scholarship Fund supports individuals to undertake study directly relevant to their work in the NFP sector across Australia and New Zealand. ASI works with more than 400 Australasian fundraising organisations and associations providing software solutions and support via its leading product iMIS.