YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL (YAC) OFFERING GRANTS
The YAC committee is soliciting applications to fund projects benefitting youth in the Pine Bluff Area. Grants are likely to be about $500 each, and a limited number are available.

We fund programs and projects that will positively affect the lives of children and young people. We are interested in projects through which a modest amount of grant money can create a significant result.  For example, a grant that can serve as leverage to attract other funds or a grant that completes the dollars needed for the project would be of particular interest.  We look for proposals from organizations with a well-planned approach to a public problem or issue related to children and youth, with a base of other support, and with a committed leadership that has the skills and training necessary to successfully carry out the work.  We encourage organizations to work together to fulfill objectives held in common, rather than compete for scarce grant dollars.

YAC considers the following factors, not exclusively, in reviewing applications: 

• Potential benefit to youth to be served and to the community as a whole
• Capacity of the organization to achieve the desired results
• Adequacy of the objectives, methods, budget, time frame, and personnel to be successful
• Evidence of appropriate cooperation or coordination with other organizations working in the same field
• Likelihood of future support
• Quality of the plan for evaluating the results and
• Usefulness of the project as a model for other organizations.

Please review and download the application by clicking on the link below. Read and follow the instructions. Deadline for receipt is 5PM April 16th, 2010.

DOWNLOAD YAC APPLICATION HERE



SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

The Pine Bluff Area Community Foundation will again be accepting scholarship applications for a number of different awards from endowments and distribution funds established by donors. All of these scholarships have differing requirements for eligibility, so please read this overview and the instructions on the scholarship application form before submitting an application. Students who qualify may submit applications for any or all of the scholarships offered, although it is rare that one student will be awarded two or more different scholarships. Amounts awarded will vary and indications of past awrds are included for purposes of illustration only. The scholarships, applications for which will be available after January 1, 2010 are:

Abbott Scholarship Endowment: Recipients will attend SEARK College as an enrolled full time student in the next fall semester. Preference will be given to residents of Pine Bluff or nearby communities.  Recipient will have a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or above. Financial need, community leadership, and potential to succeed are the primary factors considered, although none shall be a determining factor. Last year's award: 1 award was made for $1,000. DOWNLOAD APPLICATION.

AMPI/JRMC Scholarship Endowment: Graduating seniors of any high school in the Pine Bluff Area are eligible. Financial need, community leadership and potential to succeed are the primary factors considered, although none are a determining factor. This is a new scholarship, expected to be $1,000 to $1,500 this year. DOWNLOAD APPLICATION.

Bridge Fund Scholarship Endowment:  Eligible students will be be a graduating H.S. senior of Jefferson County. a resident of the state of Arkansas, have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, and an ACT score of 24 or above, or an equivalent SAT score. Special note: Priority will be given students from middle-income families who plan on attending a private college or university and whose families have planned and saved for college and can contribute to their child’s education, but who could use help to afford an expensive institution. Last year, one $10,000 and two $5,000 awards were made. DOWNLOAD APPLICATION.

Ed Brown Memorial Scholarship Endowment: Pine Bluff Senior High School seniors who will attend an accredited college or university, who have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or more, and have been involved in baseball or softball a minimum of five years are eligible to apply. It is hoped that the winner of this scholarship will continue with their athletics in College. Financial need, academic achievement, leadership, character, community service, school baseball or softball participation, and ability to succeed are the primary factors considered, although none are a determining factor. Last year, one award was made for $2,500. DOWNLOAD APPLICATION.

Ed and Charleen Copeland Scholarship Endowment: To be eligible for this scholarship a student must be:  a child or stepchild who is a legal dependant of a Central Moloney employee and a graduating high school senior or a full-time college student enrolled at an accredited two or four year college/university. Academic performance, demonstration of good community leadership/involvement, potential to succeed in college, good character,  extracurricular activities and ability to succeed are the primary factors considered, although none are a determining factor.  The scholarship winner must remain a full-time student throughout the year of the scholarship or the scholarship will be forfeited. Last year, 2 awards of $1,000 each were made. DOWNLOAD APPLICATION.

Casey Crowder Scholarship Fund: High school seniors or entering college freshmen who are actively participating in Pine Bluff American Eastern Little League Softball are eligible to apply. Financial need, community service or school participation, and ability to succeed are the primary factors considered, although none are a determining factor. Last year, one award was made for $1,000. DOWNLOAD APPLICATION.

Dorothy Ezell DuPree Scholarship Endowment: You may apply if you are a Jefferson County high school senior who will attend a four-year accredited college or university, and major in one of the following fields: English, library science or history. Financial need, academic achievement, community service or school participation, and ability to succeed are the primary factors considered, although none are a determining factor. Last year, 2 awards of $2,300 each were made. DOWNLOAD APPLICATION.

Gene Lyon Memorial Scholarship Endowment: Recipients will be Dollarway High School seniors who are from the Altheimer area and who will attend an institution of higher learning as an enrolled full time student. Recipient will have a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or above and have an ACT composite score of 20 or above or equivalent SAT score. Financial need, community leadership, and potential to succeed are the primary factors considered, although none shall be a determining factor. This scholarship is renewable, and last year a $2,000 award was made to a continuing college student. DOWNLOAD APPLICATION.

Pine Bluff High School Class of 1962 Scholarship Endowment (Not yet funded): Seniors attending Pine Bluff High School who will attend a four-year accredited college or university are eligible. Financial need, academic achievement, community service or school participation, and ability to succeed are the primary factors considered, although none are a determining factor. Last year, no award was made. If funding is achieved this year the award will likely be $500.

Jack Robey Scholarship Endowment: Graduating seniors of Pine Bluff High School and Watson Chapel High School are eligible. Applicants must be in the top third of their graduating class. Academic standing, community service, school participation, and ability to succeed are the primary factors considered, although none are a determining factor. This award is normally split equally between students, one at each eligible school. Last year two awards of $2,275 were made. DOWNLOAD APPLICATION. O.C Hauber/ Rotary Scholarship: Graduating seniors of any Jefferson County high school who have at least a 3.0 (4.0 basis) G.P.A, and a minimum ACT score of 20 (or equivalent S.A.T). Preference will be given to students of middle-income families. Community service, school participation, and ability to succeed are the primary factors considered, although none are a determining factor. This is a $10,000 scholarship awarded at the rate of $2,500 each year to the student. For renewal, students must be enrolled in an accredited college for at least 12 hours of course work and have a cumulative G.P.A of 2.5 (4.0 basis). DOWNLOAD APPLICATION.

Strickland Scholarship Endowment: Pine Bluff Senior High School seniors who will attend an accredited college or university, who have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or more, and intend to pursue a career in teaching are eligible to apply. Financial need, academic achievement, community service or school participation, and ability to succeed are the primary factors considered, although none are a determining factor. Last year one scholarship worth $2,830 was awarded. DOWNLOAD APPLICATION.

William A. and Genevieve H. Strong Scholarship Endowment: This scholarship helps support a math major at UAPB. Graduating high school seniors who will attend the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff (UAPB), and enrolling or current students at UAPB are eligible to apply. If you are an entering freshman or a sophomore you should show evidence in your essay and in your course selections of your intent to major in mathematics. Third-year or higher students must have a declared major in mathematics. Financial need, academic achievement, and community leadership are the primary factors considered, although none are a determining factor. Students who make their permanent home in the Pine Bluff, Arkansas area or have graduated from a high school in the Pine Bluff, Arkansas area will be given priority. This award is renewable each year up to three times and is typically $500 per year. DOWNLOAD APPLICATION.

A UNIQUE SCHOLARSHIP: The Robert P. Atkinson Hospital Leadership and Scholarship fund was established late in 2009 by Jefferson Regional Medical Center in honor of their former CEO, Bob Atkinson, who recently retired. The fund is managed by the Arkansas Community Office and will be administered as a joint effort by the Pine Bluff Area Community Foundation.
The purpose of the fund is rather unique: to provide scholarships to students pursuing a masters level or above degree with an emphasis in administration within the healthcare field.  Eligible students may be from Southeast Arkansas and/or interested in returning to Southeast Arkansas upon completion of their education.
Since UAMS has the only accredited degree program in Arkansas for Health Services Administration, we will be working closely with that institution to identify and encourage candidates who meet the qualifications to apply. However, we will consider applications from students who are enrolled (or plan to enroll in) a suitable degree program outside the State, as long as the candidate intends to seek employment in Southeast Arkansas after graduation. DOWNLOAD APPLICATION.

JRMC COMMUNITY GIFT GRANTS AVAILABLE

There are two distinct funds from which grants will be provided: The JRMC Healthy Lifestyles Fund and the JRMC Community Health Endowment. These two funds sound similar but are created to meet different objectives. They differ in several significant ways in application and in administration.

The JRMC Community Health grants,  intended to fund health fairs and similar projects, will be open again in the summer of 2010.

The JRMC Healthy Lifestyles Fund: Applications will be accepted on an on-going basis (no deadline), but will be reviewed and awards made quarterly. Approximately $110,000 of the original gift of $200,000 remains to be distributed between now and the spring of 2012. Proposals will be accepted from businesses, churches, and other community groups and organizations that seek to develop programs and incentives for healthy lifestyle changes.  Examples include programs that will address nutrition education, weight loss, smoking cessation, exercise and fitness as well as programs that will increase public awareness of and participation in activities that improve individual and community health. 
DOWNLOAD HEALTHY LIFESTYLES APPLICATION HERE

Applicant organizations for both the JRMC HEALTHY LIFESTYLES Fund and the JRMC COMMUNIY HEALTH grants are those that serve residents of Jefferson County and surrounding counties, including Arkansas, Ashley, Bradley, Chicot, Cleveland, Dallas, Desha, Drew, Grant, and Lincoln.  Grants will not be awarded directly to individuals but rather to groups that will, in turn, provide these programs for individuals.  An applicant organization need not be tax exempt or a public charity to be eligible for the grant program.  As a condition of the grant, the recipient agrees to supply the PBACF a report on results and outcomes, and further agrees to permit PBACF and /or its affiliated organizations to use the grantee’s information for publicity purposes.

More information may be obtained by calling our Executive Director, Chris Castoro, at 870-850-7934 or e-mail at pbacf@pbreynoldscenter.org. If you use e-mail please put "JRMC Community Gift" in the subject line.