The New SCBWI-MI Members For Members Scholarship Fund: Now Accepting Applications

This January we marked our one-year anniversary of KAST (Kalamazoo Area Shop Talk). In this position I’ve had wonderful conversations with college students from diverse backgrounds who expressed interest in joining our organization, but said they could not afford the membership fee. One, a young mother, hoped she could join once she graduated and found a job. Writing for children was her dream. Like many of you, I’ve been there and I’ve been fortunate to have received help from SCBWI-MI. I did not get here on my own and I’m grateful for all the support and guidance that has come my way. If you feel the same way and want to "give back," here's a great opportunity.

After conversations with the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee and our Regional Advisors we established the Members for Members Scholarship Fund to support new and continuing memberships. The guidelines for submitting an application are included in this post.  We invite all in our community to consider making a contribution to this worthwhile project. You can be creative and contribute as a group!

Give a little love and help change the world!

Isabel O'Hagin
DEI Committee Chair
KAST Co-Coordinator

Members for Members Scholarship Fund

This scholarship will be awarded to writers and/or illustrators who are Michigan residents and who wish to become members of SCBWI, or to current SCBWI-Michigan members who fit the scholarship guidelines.

Awardees will have an interest in and are actively working toward creating children's books that resonate with diverse readers. The scholarship will offset the cost of an annual membership in SCBWI (which includes membership in SCBWI-Michigan) and is currently $80.00 for full membership and $65.00 for student membership.

This grant is sponsored by donations from current SCBWI-Michigan members. The number of awards will be determined by donations to this scholarship fund.
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Deadline: Applications are accepted February 14 through March 14, 2020. The winner(s) of the scholarships will be announced on or about April 1 annually.

Award: Scholarship winners will receive a year’s membership to SCBWI beginning April 1 if the winner is a new member. If the winner is a current member, his/her membership will be extended for a year.

SCBWI and SCBWI-Michigan membership benefits include but are not limited to reduced conference registration rates for members, access to members-only opportunities and awards offered by SCBWI and SCBWI-Michigan, access to our quarterly publication, The SCBWI Bulletin, and ongoing free access to local Shop Talks in Michigan, etc. In addition, winners will receive a follow-up phone conversation with a current member.

Guidelines:

This award is open to persons who live in Michigan.

Please collect the following information for the body of an email:

1.)  Full name and contact information: mailing address, email address, social media handles, and phone number. Indicate if you are a current SCBWI member.

2.)  Provide a brief description about works-in-progress or projects in the planning stages. Name some recent educational experiences that have supported your interests in writing/illustrating for children.

3.)  Include a statement about why you want to become a member of SCBWI. What in kidlit captures your motivation and commitment? Indicate your school or college and program if applying as a student member.

4.) Include a brief statement of financial need. Please do not provide any personal income information.

• Address the email to our SCBWI-MI Regional Advisors: Carrie Pearson (michigan-ra2@scbwi.org) and Jodi McKay (michigan-ra@scbwi.org). 
• Fill in the subject line with: Members for Members Scholarship Application. 
• Provide the requested information in the body of the email letter and send.

Questions?
Please email Isabel O'Hagen at ohaginib@gmail.com 
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee Chair

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Interested in making a donation to support our Members For Members Scholarship Fund?

You can send your donation via PayPay or by check.

By PayPal: donations made through our SCBWI MI PayPal account should read, “M4M Scholarship” email address is michigan-ra@scbwi.org

By check: make your check payable to SCBWI-MI with a note to read, "M4M Scholarship." Checks should be sent to Carrie Pearson, 3204 Island Beach Road, Marquette, MI 49855 c/o SCBWI-MI