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 low-income 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 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 Arkansas' racial, economic, and geographic diversity, the ASPSF headquarters in Springdale has a three member staff in Northwest Arkansas, and three staff members living and working in the Delta and Central/West-Central region.

Currently, affiliate organizations representing 70 counties in Arkansas administer Single Parent Scholarships to deserving single parents. As of December 2, 2011, these affiliates awarded a combined total of 28,900 scholarships worth $16,048,435 since 1990. A comprehensive recipient follow-up study completed in 2010 revealed an 85% retention and graduation rate and a 43% employment rate at above poverty-level income among working graduates. The report also found that another 31% of students who graduated from post-secondary programs were continuing 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 November 1, 2011, Delta-region affiliates awarded a combined total of 6,276 scholarships worth $2,658,711 since 1990. Funding of this initiative 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 enthusiastically supported this opportunity to help these single mothers and fathers attain self-sufficiency that they have brought hundreds of volunteers into service on governing boards of directors. These volunteers administer the local scholarship program, recruit applicants and select awardees, raise awareness and support of the program, and raised money in match of ASPSF grants. About 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 in 2002 that now exceeds $1.5 million dollars.

Nearly one in five Arkansas families are led by single parents, of which 80% are single mothers. An estimated 43% of single-parent families were officially below the poverty line (2008-2010 American Community Survey) in 2010. We believe single-parent families that are led by skilled and educated mothers and fathers have a much greater opportunity to achieve self sufficiency and a better quality of life, generation after generation. A skilled workforce also helps the economic condition of our communities and boosts our state's ability to compete in the global market.

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