THE ASPSF TOOLBOX - SECTION 10
Useful resources for Affiliates of the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Back to top
Q: What is an appropriate number of board members?
A: At least 8, ideally 12 or more, but not more than 21. For more information about forming a board of directors, see Section 4.
Back to top
Q: What committees should our board have?
A: Recommended committees are Fundraising, Finance, Board Development (Nominating), Executive (President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer), and Scholarship (can be the entire board but someone needs to take on a leadership role).
Back to top
Q: How do we determine who serves on committees?
A: Committee membership is determined by recruiting members for specific jobs, asking board members with specific skills to lead a committee, asking for volunteers, and providing appropriate training for them through the bi-annual ASPSF Leadership Development Conference.
Back to top
Q: Can board members serve on more than one committee?
A: Members may serve on more than one committee, but care should be taken to make sure that no single volunteer takes on too much and gets burned out.
Back to top
Q: How often should our board of directors meet?
A: A working board of directors with a full agenda should meet no fewer than eight times each year.
Back to top
Q: What are the ASPSF eligibility requirements for scholarship recipients?
A: Applicants must be residents of the county in which they are applying. They must be single parents with custodial care of one or more minor children. Applicants must be at or near the poverty level. They must be enrolled in an undergraduate course of study, with the exception of candidates for the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree. For more information on the scholarship selection process, see Section 5.
Back to top
Q: How large should our scholarships be?
A: There is no policy setting the value of scholarships, and there is not a standard scholarship value among affiliate SPSFs. The average scholarship awarded is $650.
Back to top
Q: How often should we award scholarships?
A: They must be awarded at least annually, preferably twice per year. Some affiliates award scholarships up to three times per year, as well as award bonus or merit scholarships to reward student success.
Back to top
Q: When are Scholarship Award Reports due?
A: Scholarship Award reports are due immediately following the semester for which they were awarded.
Back to top
Q: What are are Follow-up Reports and when are they due?
A: Follow-up reports are a requirement of affiliation with the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund. This is a 1 to 2 page questionnaire used to collect statistical and performance information from the previous year for each affiliate. ASPSF uses this information to assess the quality of SPSF programs and to share progress with potential and current funding sources. This information is especially useful to all affiliate SPSFs in their communication, marketing and fundraising efforts. The deadline for submission of the report is May 1st annually. Affiliates can download and complete this form from the Affiliates section of this website.
Back to top
Q: What happens if we do not submit reports?
A: If reports are not submitted in a timely manner, it is possible that matching grant dollars will be withheld until all reports are submitted.
Back to top
Q: How do we get report forms?
A: Report forms may be downloaded from Section 6 or by contacting Pat Schram.
Back to top
Q: Who provides funds to ASPSF so ASPSF can make matching grants?
A: ASPSF is funded through:
Back to top
Q: What is the maximum matching grant amount?
A: The maximum matching grant is $7,000 for counties outside of the Delta region and $8,000 for Delta counties. For a list of Delta counties, see Section 1.
Back to top
Q: Does my affiliate have to raise the maximum amount of dollars eligible for matching before we can request matching funds?
A: No. You can apply for matching funds after raising any amount of money earmarked for scholarships. We want to encourage you to award scholarships whenever you have obtained local funds to do so.
Back to top
Q: How do I apply for matching funds?
A: To apply for matching funds, complete a Matching Funds Request form (PDF). Attach to the form documentation that verifies the fundraising proceeds were received. Click here to learn more about the matching grant policy.
Mail or fax the completed, signed Matching Funds Request form and documentation to:
AR Single Parent Scholarship Fund
614 East Emma Avenue, Suite 119
Springdale, AR 72764
Fax: 479.927.0755
Attn: Ralph Nesson or Pat Schram
Back to top
Q: What is the most successful fundraiser?
A: Many factors affect how successful a fundraiser will be. There is not one "most successful" fundraiser. Many SPSF affiliates have demonstrated their creativity and attention to planning and detail in the variety of fundraisers launched throughout the state. There are many fundraising models to follow. Attending the annual ASPSF Leadership Development Conference is a good way to get new ideas for your affiliate SPSF. For more information about fundraising, see Section 7.
Back to top
Q: How do I nominate someone for the ASPSF Board of Directors?
A: Contact Ralph Nesson, ASPSF Executive Director, at 479.927.1402 or at rnesson@aspsf.org.
Back to top
Back to top
Q: What are the evergreen folders I've been hearing about?
A: Wal-Mart Foundation donated the design and printing of 25,000 professional bi-fold, pocketed folders. These have been distributed to affiliates for use as marketing tools at fundraising and award events, for grant submissions, educational fairs and other public functions.
We encourage affiliates to place flyers, brochures, or other publicity materials inside the folder pockets to create a professionally-tailored packet of information.
NOTE: While affiliates are encouraged to use the folders while our supply lasts, we also encourage affiliates to use them sparingly or for special events.
To order a free supply of folders, contact Pat Schram at (479)927-1402 or pschram@aspsf.org.
Back to top
Q: What is the Communication CD?
A: The Communication CD was a special project implemented during the first year of a three-year ASPSF Business Plan. The purpose of the project is to improve communication between Single Parent Scholarship Funds and the public. Funded in part by a grant from the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, the Communication CD project was a direct response to the stated need of affiliates to increase public awareness of their efforts at the local level.
ASPSF staff and Board worked with a professional consultant to develop new public awareness tools for affiliates. The resulting CD-ROM contains several adaptable advertising templates: SPSF logo, stationery, brochure, poster, public service announcements for radio and television, and two power-point presentations.
ASPSF sent each affiliate a free Communication CD in late 2004. To order a replacement copy, contact Pat Schram at (479)927-1402 or pschram@aspsf.org.
Back to top
Q: How do I get a copy of the SPSF radio ad or television ad?
A: The SPSF radio ad can be printed or copied from the Communication CD-ROM. A demo version of the television PSA can be viewed from the CD-ROM.
To get a usable version of the television PSA, contact Christina Womack at (479)927-1402 or cwomack@aspsf.org. In your request, include the format type needed by the television station (Beta-S, DVC, DVD or mini-DV). Also indicate if you need the PSA tagged (customized with your contact information) or tagless (not customized). NOTE: television stations can often tag the PSAs for nominal or no fees.
A tagged version of the PSA costs $100 plus shipping. An untagged version of the PSA costs $25 plus shipping. We can order and pay for the PSA to be sent directly to your office, but ASPSF requires reimbursement for the cost of production and shipping.
Back to top
|
