Association Workforce Diversity Program

The Association Forum of Chicagoland Foundation offers up to six scholarships per year to aid the career advancement of underrepresented populations in association/nonprofit management. Recipients are mentored by experienced executives in their career development and receive scholarships for continuing education programs.

About the Diversity Program

The Association Forum Foundation's goal in offering these scholarships is to advance a new, diverse group of professionals who are committed to the development of their careers, and to help them meet career challenges in association/nonprofit management. Candidates must be of a minority ethnic/racial group (i.e., American Indian/Native Alaskan; Asian/Pacific Islander; Black, African-American, West Indian; Hispanic), or persons with disabilities and have a minimum of three years of experience in the association/nonprofit field. The scholarships will enable the candidates to attend various seminars and educational training programs, network with peers and experienced association professionals, and be paired with mentors who can assist in career planning.

If you are not eligible for this scholarship, please forward this information to a member of your staff who may be eligible and would benefit from this program. We are also accepting mentor applications.

Mentor/Scholar Expectations

• It is important for both the mentor and scholar to share experiences and observations. It is with this joint effort that the mentor can efficiently share his or her expertise.
  
  
• This program's success is predicated on a joint communication effort.
  
  
• The mentor and scholar must make themselves available a minimum of a quarterly basis for a face to face meeting.  Mentors and scholars are also expected to maintain contact through phone and/or e-mail between meetings.
  
  
• Determine in the initial orientation your mutual goals.  Mentors and scholars will meet to establish written goals to be submitted to the Workforce Diversity Committee Sub-group.
  
  
• The Diversity and Workforce Development Committee will be monitoring the program. Any questions, concerns or comments you may have (mentor or scholar) should be directed to the Forum staff liaison. At various times members of the committee may call and ask for feedback.
  
  
• The Diversity and Workforce Development Committee also encourages periodic meetings between the mentor and the scholar at Forum educational programs and social events.
  
  
• April and May meetings requirements; mentor and scholar are expected to attend orientation (dates TBD).
  
  
• June meetings requirement; scholars are expected to attend Forum's Annual Meeting and Gala Event (dates TBD).

Become a Mentor

For an application to become a Diversity Mentor, click here or call Susana Sandoval  at (312) 924-7043.

For More Information

Click here for more information about the Association Workforce Diversity Scholarships or call Susana Sandoval  at (312) 924-7043.