What is the Nevada Women's Fund?
The Nevada Women's Fund is a community foundation dedicated to strengthening our community by empowering women to improve their lives and the lives of their families. We identify critical social needs and address those needs through educational initiatives and community grant making. Our vision is to be the compass guiding the community toward nationally recognized solutions that improve the lives of women and families.

To achieve our mission, the NWF allocates scholarships to individual women and grants to organizations that share the NWF vision for a healthy community.

Who may apply for an NWF scholarship?
NWF scholarships are designated for northern Nevada women pursuing a course of study at a northern Nevada educational institution. Because of the availability of the Millennium Scholarship and other financial support for traditional college freshmen, applications from high school seniors are not encouraged. However, those high school seniors with extraordinary or challenging circumstances are invited to apply.

If an eligible applicant wishes to pursue a course of study that is not offered at a northern Nevada (or Nevada) institution, the NWF will consider allocating a scholarship for pursuit of study at an out of region or out of state institution. The NWF allocations committee reserves the right to make these decisions on a case by case basis. Scholarships may be used for undergraduate, graduate studies or vocational study. The Nevada Women's Fund considers each qualified application equally and encourages diversity in the applicant pool.

Eligible candidates will take a minimum of 6-8 credits per semester. Students must be enrolled in an accredited two or four year degree program. Limited extended study courses are not considered applicable.

How are the NWF scholarship amounts determined?
The NWF allocates both restricted and endowed scholarships. The restricted scholarship amounts are determined by the amount of the scholarship gift given to the NWF by the scholarship donor. Annual endowed scholarship amounts are determined by the NWF investment policy and may vary from year to year. Generally, NWF scholarships are a minimum of $500. If a scholarship exceeds $ 2,000, the scholarship will be split into two allocations — one to be distributed in August and the second in January.

Please note: if a scholarship check is not picked up in a timely manner (as identified in the scholarship notification letter) the NWF reserves the right to re-allocate that scholarship to another eligible applicant.

How are scholarship applications reviewed?
NWF scholarship applications are reviewed by the NWF allocations committee, which is made up of NWF Board and community members. Each allocations committee member reads each application and rates the applications based on the eligibility requirements. Please note: individuals with a blood or marriage relationship to NWF board members, allocations committee members or NWF staff are ineligible for NWF scholarships.

How can I thank my scholarship donor?
The NWF will ask successful applicants to write a personal letter of thanks to each scholarship donor which is indicated in the scholarship notification letter. In addition the NWF has an expectation that successful applicants will attend the annual NWF scholarship reception to personally thank the scholarship donor(s). Also, scholarship recipients are asked to participate as volunteers for NWF as needed and based upon availability.

Questions?
Please contact the NWF office at 786-2335