Scholarships

Scholarships

Fueling Progress in the Association Community

Welcome to the Association Forum Foundation’s Scholarships and Grants Hub—where opportunity meets impact.
Our mission is to advance the association profession by investing in its people. Through a variety of scholarships, grants, and recognition programs, we help remove barriers, elevate leadership, and support lifelong learning across the association community.
Whether you're pursuing a credential, attending a career-shaping event, or launching a bold new initiative, we’re here to help you take the next step.
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📂Open Scholarships & Grants

AFF Member Support Fund

Empowering Association Professionals to Rise, Rebuild, and Renew

When life or work shifts, your career journey doesn’t have to pause.

The Association Forum Foundation’s Member Support Fund helps association professionals stay connected, reskill, and continue growing—no matter what season they’re in.

Whether you’re facing reduced hours, in between positions, or re-entering the profession, this fund ensures you can access the learning, community, and opportunities that keep your career moving forward.

This Round: Spring 2026 Learning

Focused on spring programs designed to build real skills and real connections—right now.

Learning Programs include:

  • MICROSOFT COPILOT & AI LAB: LEVEL I-FOUNDATIONS
  • MICROSOFT COPILOT & AI LAB: LEVEL II-ADVANCED
  • Associations 101
  • Associations 201

If you wish to apply for the CAE or Emerging Leaders Program scholarship, please apply here.

Signature Event funding (Man In™, Holiday Showcase, WEF 2027) opens this summer.

Who the Fund Supports

We’re here for association professionals who are:

  • Working full-time and seeking additional support for development
  • Experiencing reduced hours or temporary furlough
  • Between positions or seeking re-employment
  • Re-entering the association workforce

Our purpose: to make sure every association professional has access to the tools, networks, and programs that foster resilience and career growth.

What You Can Receive

  • Up to $1,000 in support toward membership dues, learning programs, or event participation
  • Annual membership for non-members
  • Membership extensions for current members who have lost employment (per AF Board policy)
  • Access to exclusive educational programs, signature events, and peer networks

Eligibility

To qualify, applicants must:

  • Be an association professional (Membership is not required)—or preparing to re-enter the field
  • Demonstrate financial need tied to employment changes (reduced hours, job loss, or funding cuts)
  • Show a commitment to continued professional development and engagement

How Awards Are Determined

Applications are reviewed using a transparent scoring rubric based on:

  • Engagement and membership tenure
  • Financial need
  • Self-investment and initiative
  • Employer partnership or support
  • Community contribution and potential impact

Funds are awarded to the highest-scoring applicants until allocations are complete.

Member Support Fund Application

📆Important Dates:

Application Deadline
April 23, 2026

Award Notification
April 30, 2026

Apply Now

🖊️ How to Apply

    1. Complete the Application Form – Provide your contact information and employment status.
    2. Share Your Story – Tell us about your connection to Association Forum (events, volunteering, or learning experiences).
    3. Select the Support You Need – Membership, learning programs, or signature events.
    4. Describe Your Goals – Explain how this opportunity will help you stay engaged and advance your career.
    5. Provide Financial Context – Share brief details about your current financial circumstances and development plans.

All applications are handled with care and confidentiality.

Association Forum CAE Scholarship

Designed to help aspiring CAEs at Chicago associations cover the costs associated with acquiring a Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential. Candidates from underrepresented populations in the association management industry are encouraged to apply. Candidates must complete and submit an application and provide a letter of support from their immediate supervisor. All candidates will automatically be considered for both scholarships. 

About the Scholarship

  • Scholarship Award up to $1,000.
  • Covers the costs of:
    • The CAE application fee ($500 for ASAE members; $750 for non-ASAE members)
    • Association Forum CAE Study Group registration
    • Standard CAE study materials ($0–$350)
  • One scholarship is available per fiscal year.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a CAE scholarship, you must:

  1. Be a current Association Forum member.
  2. Appear to meet the eligibility requirements to apply for the CAE designation.
  3. Demonstrate financial need based on your organizational, not personal finances.
  4. Association Forum officers, directors, staff, and current members of the Awards & Scholarship Committee are not eligible.

    Apply Now

Scholarship Application

📆Important Dates:

Application Deadline
April 23, 2026

Award Notification
May 14, 2026

Apply Now

Emerging Leaders Program Scholarship

The Association Forum Foundation is pleased to offer scholarships to cover the full tuition of program enrollment in the Emerging Leaders Program. Travel and other associated expenses are not covered by the scholarship.

About the Scholarship

  • Scholarship Awards up to $1,425.
  • Covers the costs of the Emerging Leaders Program (July-October 2026).

Eligibility

  1. Applicants must be current Association Forum members.
  2. Current Association Forum officers, directors, staff, and members of the Awards & Scholarship Committee are not eligible.
  3. Previous recipients of the Emerging Leaders Scholarship are not eligible.

    Apply Now

Bree Anne Sutherland Scholarship

The scholarship will grant a young professional (30 years of age or less) unlimited access to Association Forum's education offerings for one year. At the conclusion of the "field" study, the scholar will be responsible for detailing his or her learning experience.

About the Scholarship


Eligibility

  1. The scholar must be local to the Chicago association community.
  2. Applicants must be active and engaged Association Forum members with a commitment to advancing the professional practice of association management.
  3. Association Forum officers, directors, staff, and current members of the Awards & Recognition Committee are not eligible.

Apply Now