BACKGROUND AND HISTORY

In recognition of the severe impoverishment of single-parent families in Arkansas, the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund was established in 1990. Modeled on successful incentive scholarship funds in two northwest Arkansas counties, the goal of the ASPSF is to assist poor single parents to complete their post-secondary education in preparation for skilled employment. Our strategy is to work at the county level to organize affiliate scholarship funds operated by local residents and provide on-site assistance with all phases of affiliate development. The ASPSF offers seed grants to new affiliates and annual matching grants to existing affiliates.

The ASPSF is a private, nonprofit corporation with 501(c)3 status granted by the Internal Revenue Service. Governed by a twenty-one member board of directors representing our state's racial, economic, and geographic diversity, the ASPSF headquarters in Springdale has a three member staff in Northwest Arkansas, and two staff members living and working in the Delta region. As of December, 2006, sixty-eight (68) county affiliates participating in the Fund's activities awarded a combined total of 17,303 scholarships worth $8,707,774. A comprehensive recipient follow-up study completed in 2007 revealed a 77% retention and graduation rate and a 53% employment rate at above poverty-level income among working graduates. The report also found that another 17% of graduates were continuing their education in a Bachelor's or Master's degree program.

A Delta Scholarship Project was initiated in 2000 to spur an increase in scholarship awards available in eastern Arkansas. As of December, 2006, a combined total of 3,685 scholarships worth $1,387,434 since its inception. Funding of these efforts has been provided by private foundations, businesses, individuals, and the Arkansas Office of Community Services.

The concept of a community-based scholarship fund aimed at encouraging and supporting the educational and training aspirations of impoverished single parents has been well accepted. Local leaders have so taken hold of this opportunity to help others help themselves that they have brought hundreds of volunteers into service on governing boards of directors. These volunteers have set eligibility guidelines for scholarships, recruited applicants, generated publicity, chosen recipients, and raised money in match of ASPSF grants. Seventy-five percent (75%) of all dollars awarded through our program derives from contributions made by local businesses, civic organizations, churches, family foundations, and individuals.

In recognition of the need to create a permanent source of financial support for the organization, the Harvey and Bernice Jones Charitable Trust, through a challenge grant program, enabled the ASPSF to establish a permanent endowment exceeding one million dollars in 2002.

Twenty-three percent (23%) of all Arkansas families are led by women with no husband or father in the home. It is estimated that this figure represents over 97,000 families, of which 46% were officially below the poverty line (2000 U.S. Census reports) in 1992. If the trend of increasing impoverishment of women and children continues, there will be more need than ever for education and training opportunities for single parents. The ASPSF is in the vanguard of meeting this need.

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