UNCF – the United Negro College Fund - and the Irving Schools Foundation are pleased to announce a new fundraising partnership to create college scholarships for financially disadvantaged Irving Independent School District (IISD) students. Primarily developed as a workplace giving campaign to run on all IISD campuses, local businesses, individuals, churches and civic organizations are also encouraged to donate to the scholarship program at www.irvingisd.net/foundation.
The Irving ISD / UNCF scholarship will be open to Spring 2012 IISD graduating seniors who will attend a UNCF member institution or any other 4-year fully accredited U.S. college or university. Scholarships of $1,000 each will be awarded to students who demonstrate financial need and academic potential. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher. Additional requirements will be detailed on the Irving Schools Foundation website early next year.
“This is a partnership that we are proud to support because it helps ensure deserving students have the resources needed to attend college when they demonstrate the interest and commitment to academic performance,” said IISD Superintendent Dr. Dana Bedden. “It’s an opportunity for us to show students we are sincere about wanting them to succeed, and we are willing to continue investing in their future. I’m grateful to our employees for their generous participation and support of our students pursuing education beyond high school.”
“In our 26 years of awarding scholarships, we are honored to add this prestigious opportunity for our students,” said Irving Schools Foundation Executive Director Mandy Hamilton. “We are also proud of our Irving ISD familywho have made their own personal contributions to this scholarship and we encourage our community to join us as we have set a goal to raise a minimum of $5,000 for this first year UNCF scholarship.”
UNCF’s Area Development Director Diane Stephenson said, “We are excited about this new partnership with Irving ISD as it has the potential to help many families pursue dreams of a college education for their youth. UNCF continues to play a critical role in the future of our North Texas and national communities by helping students attend college so they can acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in today’s competitive workforce. We could not do this without the generosity of our donors and are grateful to Irving ISD employees and other donors who will invest in educating their youth.”
To contribute to the scholarship program visit: www.irvingisd.net/foundation or send checks to UNCF – Attn: Irving ISD Scholarship Program, 501 Elm Street, Suite 700, Dallas, TX 75202. For more information, call UNCF at (972) 234-1007 or the Irving Schools Foundation at (972) 600-5018
About UNCF
UNCF—the United Negro College Fund—is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at over 900 colleges and universities across the country. UNCF supports education through scholarships and other programs, by supporting its 39 member colleges and universities, and by advocating for the importance of minority education. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 21 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. The UNCF logo features the torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized motto, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste."® Learn more at www.UNCF.org. Please send donations to: UNCF – 501 Elm Street – Suite 700, Dallas, TX 75202.
About Irving Schools Foundation
The mission of the Irving Schools Foundation was established in May 1985 when the Foundation was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization under the leadership of founder, Anne Pfaff and Executive Director, Elaine Free. The Irving Schools Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that seeks to maximize educational opportunities for teachers and students by funding projects and activities that are not within the budgetary guidelines of the Irving Independent School District and for which tax dollars may not be expended. Today, in 2011, the Board of Directors remain committed to the mission established almost 26 years ago.
For information about Irving ISD and the Irving Schools Foundation, please visit www.irvingisd.net and www.irvingisd.net/foundation
