Educational Foundation

The AAUW EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION is the largest source of funding in the world exclusively for graduate women. Each year it distributes more than $3 million in fellowships, grants and awards. It supports scholars pursuing a vast spectrum of academic research; community activists helping to improve the lives of women and girls through education; and through its Eleanor Roosevelt Fund it supports public school teachers promoting girls’ achievement in math, science and technology.

   
 

The Cornerstones of the Foundation Story

   
 
  • Proud:  During the 2002-03 academic year we awarded nearly 300 fellowships, grants and special awards totaling $4 million. In 2001-02 approximately half of these awards were in the amount of $15,000 each or more, making them competitive with the most prestigious awards programs. In addition, two University Scholars-in-Residence were awarded more than $150,000.Together we have contributed to finally achieving equity in one area – College Admissions.
 
  • Partner:  The AAUW Educational Foundation works with AAUW and the AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund to achieve a common vision – Equity for All Women and Girls. It achieves its goals through your generosity.
 
  •  Pillars:  The three basic pillars of the Educational Foundation’s work are
   
  • fellowships to individuals
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  • community action grants to both individuals and organizations such as branches
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  • cutting edge research to define and communicate significant education issues affecting girls and women.
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    •  Impact:  In September 2001, the symposium “Beyond the Gender Wars” drew researchers on girls’ and boys’ experiences in school to propose strategies that will work for all children. In November 2001 the Educational Foundation’s first international symposium highlighted “International Perspectives: The Political, Social, and Economic Impact of Education for Women and Girls.” In January 2002 the Educational Foundation prepared a research report on AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund’s roundtable to examine MIT’s success at eliminating sex discrimination on campus – without the need for litigation.
     
    • Need:  Only 10% of the qualified applicants are funded each year. What if we could fund more?
      The Foundation's strength has always been the remarkable energy and commitment of AAUW members, other individuals, corporations, and foundations that make contributions and help raise money for the Foundation's work.
       
      Foundation Mission and Diversity Statements
       
      The AAUW Educational Foundation provides funds to advance education, research, and self-development for women and to foster equity and positive societal change.
       
      In principle and practice, the AAUW Educational Foundation values and seeks diversity. There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or class.
     

    How You Can Help

    Your contributions to the AAUW Educational Foundation will promote educational equity for women and girls throughout the nation and the world. The AAUW Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. Contributions are tax deductible for federal income tax purposes.

    • Be recognized as a Century Club member with a $100 donation
    • Be honored as a Chocolate Club member with a $200 donation

    You can contribute through our local branch by clicking on Contributions on the menu bar or by contacting our Finance Officer .

     

    Fellowship/Grant Application Form

    Applications may be downloaded from the AAUW website at www.aauw.org under fellowships and grants.

    To request an application in print format, write to AAUW Educational Foundation, c/o Customer Service Center, 2201 N. Dodge St., Dept 177, Iowa City, IA 52243-4030 or call (319) 337-1716, ext. 177 no later than 4:30 p.m. Central Time on the last day that applications are available for each program.

    Applicants are not required to be members of AAUW or contributors to the AAUW Educational Foundation.

     

    Named Gift Honoree

    Each year one or more individuals may be honored for meritorious service to the branch. A gift of at least $500 is given to the Educational Foundation in that person’s name. From 1976 through 2006 sixty-four individuals have been so honored by the Rancho Bernardo Branch.

     
    Named Gift Honoree 2006:
    Valerie Schmitt
    		 
     


    2006 Honoree

    Valerie Schmitt has been honored for her various contributions to our branch. She has served as co-President, Corresponding Secretary, Directory Editor and Nominating Committee member. She obtained substantial funding for our Women's Conference on Identity Theft, was co-hostess twice for Friendship Luncheons, for three years volunteered her home as venue for successful garage sales, and has been originator/supporter of many other fundraising efforts over the years.

     
    Named Gift Honoree 2005: Wendy Wallen
    		 
     

    2005 Honoree

    Wendy Wallen has been honored for her various contributions to our branch.  As Public Information Chair, she increased our visibility in the community through the Library Wish List, provided publicity in local newspapers and an e-news bulletin, as well as co-sponsored a quarterly RB Community Lecture Series with CEC. For the past three years she has designed all branch flyers, new branch brochures, new membership directory covers, scholarship luncheon programs, and a logo for our Women's Conference on Identity Theft.  She has collaborated in developing, editing, and maintaining the branch web site, including preparing and installing all of the photographs. She proofreads our monthly newsletter. Finally, Wendy's suggestion resulted in our very successful Friendship Luncheons.

     
    Named Gift Honoree 2004: Valerie Benya
    		 
     

    2004 Honoree

    Valerie Benya has served as LAF Chair and Education Chair and was a particularly effective Membership VP.  She held highly successful Prospective Member Coffees, the format of which continues to be used as a tool for recruiting new members.  Valerie conducted a retreat for our branch, a seed from which germinated into our first women's conference. 

     

    2003 Honoree

    Frances North has served on our board for 5 years as Recording Secretary, Treasurer, President, and Newsletter Editor. As President last year her supportive leadership style, consensus building, and openness to new ideas resulted in a Three-Year Strategic Plan, successful new fund-raising approaches, participation in RB Alive, and the use of e-mail as an effective communication tool. In the 2002-2003 year she has served as Chair of the Nominating Committee and branch auditor as well as editor of The Rancho Bernardo Spokeswoman.

     
    Named Gift Honoree 2003: Fran North
     

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