10th Annual Sheryl A. Blair Scholarships

Established in 2007 to honor the memory of former ADRP board member Sheryl Blair, the Sheryl A. Blair Scholarship provides up to ten stipends of $1,000 to newcomers and experienced professionals in the donor relations/stewardship field to cover ADRP International Conference expenses. Recipients are responsible for covering expenses beyond the scholarship award amount. Blair Scholars will be recognized at the 2017 ADRP Annual International Conference.

Learn more about Sheryl A. Blair.

The 2017 application deadline has now passed.
Applications for the 15th Annual International Conference will open Spring 2018. 


Eligibility Requirements

Eligible applicants must:

  1. Be an ADRP member. Not a member? Join now!
  2. Be employed at least 30 hours a week in a non-profit organization or agency;
  3. Hold a position focused mainly on donor relations or stewardship. 

To determine if you qualify for the newcomer or experienced professional award, please answer the following question: Have you been in your current position for fewer than two years and worked in a fundraising, development, or advancement capacity for fewer than four years?

If you answered yes, you are a Newcomer.
If you answered no, you are an Experienced Professional.

Note: Priority will be given to those applicants whose attendance at the 2017 ADRP International Conference is their only opportunity for professional development for the year.


Awardee Requirements

If you are selected as a scholarship recipient, you will be asked to submit the following one month prior to the conference:

A photo and quote about the challenges being faced by your organization and how you hope that attending the conference will help.

Newcomer awardees will be matched with an Experienced Professional awardee mentor to experience the conference together as much as possible (attending sessions together when appropriate, sitting together at meals, etc.) The pair will also be matched with one member of the 2017 Scholarship Committee throughout the conference to enhance your experience, provide mentorship and facilitate networking opportunities.


2017 Sheryl A. Blair Scholarship Committee

Chair
Flordelisa Dolan, Donor Relations Manager, AARP Foundation

Members
Annie Madio, Director of Donor Relations, University of New England
Carol Murphrey, Program Manager, UIC Foundation
Pam Powell, Assistant Director, Donor Relations, Oregon State University Foundation
Samantha Sanchez, Assistant Director, Donor Relations, Loyola University Chicago
Meredeth Summers, Director of Donor Relations & Stewardship, Guilford College


2017 Sheryl A. Blair Scholars

Experienced Professionals
Michael Bernhardt,
Geisinger Health System
Beth Campbell, Trillium Health Partners Foundation
Paige Eubanks-Barrow

Pamela Havens*, Hamilton College
Louise Mackay, University of Exeter

Newcomers
Kelli Fuhrman,
University of North Texas
Rachel Hull, Grand Valley State University
Maria Kruger, Southwestern University

Tauna Shoemaker, YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties
Maureen Lynne Winter, Metropolitan State University of Denver

*1157 designconcepts Award Winner

The 1157 designconcepts award recipient criteria is selected based on an individual's commitment to the field. The individual receiving this award needs to have demonstrated going above and beyond in the field of donor relations - whether it is by pursuing development opportunities, pushing for every networking opportunity possible, or guiding their organization to new levels. 

Pamela Havens, the 2017 "1157 designconcepts awardee", has demonstrated over the years a desire to rise in her profession, constantly seek new professional development opportunities and apply the ideas and information she has learned. Ms. Havens has been an ADRP Charter member since 2003 and co-chaired the first ADRP International Conference in 2004. Needless to say, she has been with ADRP since the beginning and continues to remain engaged serving as ADRP Vice President, Conference presenter, attendee and committee member. Having the fortunate opportunity to attend the ADRP Conference every year, Ms. Havens shares the following about the benefits of attending a conference,

"There is something about connecting in person that allows for not only a more robust exchange of information and ideas, but also an infusion of empathy, enthusiasm and energy that cannot be gained in any other way. With the varied group of organizations represented at this conference, I have discovered differing approaches to similar challenges that I have been able to adapt to everything our office does from acknowledgments to reporting. Additionally, I have been able to take information back to others in my division that have benefited fundraising and stewardship efforts more broadly. I always leave this conference feeling rejuvenated and reinvigorated, ready to meet the next challenge and exceed expectations."


Questions? Please contact us at [email protected] or 1-800-341-0014.