FAQ for Girls and their Adult Nominators
WHAT DOES THE FELLOWSHIP FUND?
Fellowships are intended to fund opportunities for girls they otherwise could not afford that would uniquely support that individual girl. The Foundation specifically is interested in funding activities that directly benefit specific individuals; that help girls extend their own and society’s beliefs about their role and abilities; that engender creativity and artistic excellence; that enable girls to exhibit leadership skills; and that amplify girls’ abilities to be independent thinkers in an interdependent world.
WHAT DOES THE FELLOWSHIP NOT FUND?
The Foundation will not fund tuition at parochial or independent schools or new, experimental programs. Grants will not be awarded to allow girls to participate in the sponsoring agency’s programs.
WHAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF A SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION?
We started this fellowship program so that adults could listen to girls’ needs and support them in unique, individualized, empowering ways.
For example, say you work at an after school program and know that a girl could benefit from going to some amazing overnight theater camp. You would love to send this girl to that theater camp, but you know that your organization does not have the funds to do so, nor does this girl’s family have the resources to pay for it. If you’ve been in this kind of situation, the Eva Foundation can support you!
WHAT ARE EXAMPLES OF PAST FELLOWSHIPS?
Our Fellows have done some amazing work! Here are a few examples of past projects:
- A 16-year-old girl participated in Project Amigo, where she developed her skills as a photojournalist. She documented the struggles of poor children in a Nicaraguan hospital, and said this trip reinforced her passion for international service.
- A 17-year-old girl received tutoring in physics, nutrition counseling, and a membership at a gym because she wanted to have a deeper understanding of physical health.
- A 12-year-old girl participated in EJ’s “Cookin’ w/ Class” summer day camp program, where she developed her interest in cooking.
As you can see, our fellows have done quite a variety of projects, ranging from participation in specific programs to individualized plans of services they would like to receive in order to develop their interests.
HOW DO GIRLS GET NOMINATED FOR THIS FELLOWSHIP AND WHAT DO THEIR SPONSORING ORGANIZATIONS HAVE TO DO IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE FUNDING?
Grants will be awarded to an institution in whose program the candidate is participating or which has agreed to sponsor the individual and monitor the expenditure of grant funds. In order to be considered for an award, individuals must be nominated by a third party and seconded by a staff member of the institution who will be sponsoring and monitoring the use of the grant funds. Nominators must be adults in a role of advising, teaching or mentoring the candidates and know them well. Nomination letters should be in form of a standard business letter, not to exceed two pages in length. Seconding letters can be short, needing simply to affirm that the girl has been admitted and will participate in the program in question, and that the ultimate recipient of the funds is a (c)3.
For more information regarding what qualities to highlight in the letters, as well as criteria for the fellowships, please read our Application Guidelines.
WHAT DO GIRLS HAVE TO DO IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE FUNDING?
Nothing in order to request funds. Their adult mentor nominates her.
But once the nominator receives an acceptance letter, the Fellow needs to write two letters:
- 1 letter after she receives the acceptance letter, letting the foundation know something about herself and what she plans to do with the grant. The check is sent after the Foundation receives this letter. This letter does not need to be longer than 1 page, double spaced, with 12 point font. She can answer questions such as the following:
- What activity do you want to explore?
- Why are you interested in this program?
- What do you think you’ll gain from the experience?
- 1 letter, which acts as a final report, needs to be sent within 90 days of completion of the activity for which the award was used in order to describe how things are going and what her plans are for the future. This letter can be 2-4 pages, double spaced, with 12 point font. She can answer questions such as the following or just give us a general sense of what she gained from the experience and how she thinks it will impact her future:
- What did you get out of this experience?
- Did it help you in any way?
- Has it changed what you think you would like to do in the future?
For more information regarding criteria for which kinds of girls can apply for a fellowship grant, please read our Application Guidelines.
WHEN ARE APPLICATIONS DUE AND HOW LONG SHOULD I EXPECT TO WAIT FOR MY APPLICATION TO PROCESS?
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year, which means that you can apply at any time! Expect a wait time of approximately 2-3 weeks.We suggest that adults send their nominations at least 2 months before the start of the girl’s activity, in case there are questions from the Foundation’s Grants Committee.
HOW DOES THE FOUNDATION DETERMINE WHO IS AWARDED FELLOWSHIP GRANTS?
A Fellowship Grants Committee that is comprised of experienced nonprofit professionals from the Eva Gunther Board of Directors reviews all fellowship grants. Considerations include ability to satisfy the application guidelines and determination of available resources.
HOW WILL I BE NOTIFIED IF MY APPLICATION WAS ACCEPTED OR DENIED?
Your organization will receive an acceptance or rejection letter via mail and email.