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 business related discipline within the Philadelphia region.

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 well-being of the community through education, events, and advocacy.

The Independence Business Alliance 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.org and www.independencebusinessalliance.com

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

• Scholarship application available at: www.sapphirefund.org or www.independencebusinessalliance.com
• Scholarship Amount: $1,000 scholarship awarded for educational expenses to include tuition, books and supplies, and/or room and board. Where possible, the scholarship funds will be payable on the student’s behalf directly to the school.
• Important Dates:
  - Application Deadline: June 25, 2010
  - Announcement/Presentation: September 2010
• This scholarship is available to: 1) A self-identified LGBTQ student, or student supportive of the LGBTQ community; (2) currently enrolled full-time at an accredited college or university in Philadelphia; (3) seeking a degree in a business program/major; and (4) 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.
• Geographic Limitations: Available to a student attending an accredited university or college in the City of Philadelphia.
• Sapphire Fund and IBA employees, board members and their immediate family are not eligible to apply for the scholarship.

Scholarship Application

Click to download the 2010 Application
Deadline: June 25, 2010