MEMBER EMPOWERMENT GRANTS

OBJECTIVE

The grant enables NYWICI members of at least two consecutive years who are inspired to pursue professional development to update skills, explore new directions, or even launch or grow a business. It is designed to support career advancement or transitions or related opportunities for people who have been a member of NYWICI for 2+ years.

WHAT DOES THE GRANT COVER?

The grants [paid to an institution, not the applicant], will cover or offset the cost of conferences, continuing education courses or programs, career coaching/media training and other career-enrichment opportunities with appropriate accreditation.

ELIGIBILITY

New York Women in Communications members who have belonged to the organization for at least two consecutive years qualify.

NOTE: Grant recipients can re-apply if turned down for a grant, but grant winners can only be awarded one grant during their NYWICI membership. Grants must be used within one year of the seasons (Fall or Spring) of which they were awarded.

JUDGING

Eligible applications are reviewed by the Scholarships & Grants VPs, and winners are determined by a committee composed of the current and past presidents.

HISTORY

Recognizing dramatic shifts in the industry, NYWICI initiated this program in 2011 to support members interested in enhancing their skills and careers. NYWICI launched the first grants in 2012, awarding three women $2,000 each. The recipients were a media and web manager, an accomplished conference development consultant and an ad agency VP of creative. The grant helped them take web-development, fundraising and digital design courses. In 2013, seven members received grants in varied amounts to study for a “mini MBA” in social media marketing, a project management certificate and enhanced blogging skills, to name just a few educational pursuits. Since then, awardees have taken advantage of MEG funding to learn about integrated marketing, search engine optimization, video production, web coding and more.

For more details on our Member Empowerment Grant, please read our Requirements and Obligations page.