Sapphire Fund / Independence Business Alliance Scholarship Program

The Sapphire Fund, in collaboration with the Independence Business Alliance (IBA), are proud to announce their first annual Business Scholarship Award. Sapphire Fund, in continuing its long standing history of championing the multifaceted needs of Philadelphia area LGBTQ and HIV/AIDS organizations, has partnered with the IBA to create a scholarship to benefit a local, undergraduate student currently enrolled in a

The Sapphire Fund was established in 2002 to support the efforts of organizations contributing to the health and well-being of Philadelphia's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) community and those who support them. Sapphire supplies resources to local organizations providing HIV/AIDS research, education, prevention and treatment as well as promoting the overall health and wellbeing

The Independence Business Alliance (IBA) is the new LGBT Chamber of Commerce for the Greater Philadelphia region. The IBA is a membership-based business advocacy organization, dedicated to making the Philadelphia region an influential and diverse LGBT business community with an impact on economic development, equal rights and policy issues. The IBA's mission is to enhance financial opportunities, foster diversity, develop leadership and collaboration and advocate for positive change. In addition, the IBA is an official affiliate of the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC).

Applications will be reviewed and selected by a small committee of Sapphire Fund and IBA Board members, as well as representatives of the IBA member business community. Both Sapphire Fund and the Independence Business Alliance view this collaboration as a tremendous opportunity to work together, enabling a community minded and business focused student to take one step closer to their goals. For more information on either organization, visit www.sapphirefund.organd www.independencebusinessalliance.com.

On behalf of both organizations, we wish you the best of luck in the application process!

Please call (215) 557-0190 with any questions.

• Scholarship Amount: This will be a $1,000.00 scholarship, awarded for educational expenses to include tuition, books & supplies, and/or room & board. Where possible, the awarded funds will be payable directly to the school on the student's behalf. The scholarship will be awarded annually. Previous award recipients are eligible to receive the scholarship again, provided a complete application is submitted for the new award
• Dates to Remember:
  - Application Deadline: July 15, 2011 by 5:00 pm
  - Announcement/Presentation: September 2011
• Award Criteria/Guidelines:
  - Award criteria are based on a review of the applicant's academic credentials and business concentration, letters of recommendation, their answers to the application questions, community service involvement, leadership roles, financial need and future career goals; and when applicable, an individual interview.
• Applicants must send:
  - A completed application form.
  - Two (2) letters of recommendation from professional, academic, and/or extracurricular sources. Whenever possible, primary letters of recommendation should be obtained from an instructor in the applicant's respective area of study to better illustrate their aptitude and commitment to education.
  - Personal narratives to the questions stated below. Take this opportunity to tell us who you are.
• All applications must be complete for consideration. Any application packet that is
• Eligible Recipient: To be eligible for receiving this award, an applicant must be (1) a selfidentified LGBTQ student, OR an allied student supportive of the LGBTQ community; (2) who is currently enrolled full-time at an accredited college or university in Philadelphia; (3) is working toward an undergraduate degree in a business program/major and demonstrates leadership roles. For purposes of this award, a business program includes but may not be limited to: Business Management, Finance, Leadership, Organizational Development, Organizational Dynamics, Entrepreneurship, Economics, and/or Accounting, plus any combination of major/minor encompassing these subject areas.
• Community Service: Applicants involved in LGBTQ organizations and/or seeking to improve the Philadelphia region through community service are especially encouraged to apply and significant consideration will be given to such service.

Scholarship Application

Click to download the 2011 Application
Deadline: July 15, 2011