First Sergeant Leonard Funk 
Memorial Education Fund Program

Washington, D.C. Chapter
82nd Airborne Division Association
First Sergeant Leonard Funk Education Fund Award Plan
(March 31, 2005)
(Revised by Change 1 dated June 15^th, 2006 – as shown in RED font)

PURPOSE:  To establish a program to financially assist current members of the Washington, D.C. Chapter and their immediate family members to pursue academic endeavors in higher education.  The First Sergeant Leonard Funk Education Fund (hereby known as “Education Fund) shall be used for tuition supplement, room and board, books, lab fees, and other incidental expenses at a college or university of the student's choice.  The recipient(s) will be selected thru a formal process with the best-qualified chosen to receive an award.  There may be multiple awards of not less than $250.00. 

AUTHORIZATION AND APPROVAL:  Authorization for the First Sergeant Leonard Funk Education Fund is contained in the current bylaws of the Washington, D.C. Chapter of the 82^nd Airborne Division Association.  Approval of the Education Award Plan dated March 31^st, 2005 was granted by the general membership on April 2^nd, 2005.

CHAPTER EDUCATION FUND COMMITTEE: The Committee shall be composed of the Washington, D.C. Chapter Board of Directors.  The Chapter Chairperson will appoint the Education Fund Committee Chair from these members. 

FUNDING:  The Education Fund, beyond the initial donation from the 1st Allied Airborne Army Association in honor of First Sergeant Leonard Funk, Medal of Honor recipient, is supported by the donations and bequests from Chapter members, their family, and outside donations from friends of the Airborne Community.  The Education Fund is a charitable organization exempt from federal income taxes ensuring contributions are tax deductible under the provisions of Section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code. 

AWARD ELIGIBILITY:  Applicants may be selected from the following categories: 

• a Chapter member in good standing,

• an immediate family member of a Chapter member in good standing;

• an immediate family member of a recently deceased Chapter member in good standing;

• or an active duty Chapter member (E6 or below) of the Washington, D.C. Chapter, 82nd Airborne Division Association. 

A “Chapter member in good standing” is defined as “Association/Chapter membership dues paid in full” at time of application, or in the case of a deceased member whose family member is applying, that members dues must be current at time of death.  Additionally, applicants must be either a high school senior accepted by an institution of higher learning or a student currently enrolled in an accredited undergraduate college degree program.  

AWARD CRITERIA:  Nominees must demonstrate the following:

• excellent academic achievement;

• active in school, community and/or service organizations,

• display high moral character, and

• be accepted by, or currently enrolled. as an undergraduate in an accredited institution of higher learning. 

All selections are final upon approval by the Washington, D.C. Chapter Chairperson.

SUBMISSION PROCEDURE FOR APPLICATIONS:

• Education Fund Grants will be made only for the semester (or quarter) starting in January of the academic year.  Applications for such grants must be received by the Washington, D.C. Chapter Secretary not later than (NLT) November 1st, of the academic year for consideration.  No exceptions are authorized.    Contact the D.C. Chapter Secretary for an application.   Applications may be downloaded from the Washington, D.C. Chapter Web page :

• Previous Education Fund Awardees and former applicants must resubmit a complete application for each academic year by the closing deadline to be eligible for selection. Incomplete applications will be returned to applicant without action. 

APPLICATION, NOMINATION AND AWARD PROCESS:   

• Education Fund applications must be received by the Chapter Secretary NLT November 1st.  After applications are received, the Chapter Chairperson will convene the Education Fund Award Committee NLT the 15th day of the same month (November) for the purpose of reviewing the submitted applications to select the best nominee(s). 

• Applicant interviews, if and when conducted, shall be completed NLT November 25th of the current year.  The awardee(s) shall be identified NLT December 1st to enable the Chapter to announce the winner at the DC Chapter Christmas/Holiday Banquet.  This event is normally scheduled to occur sometime in the first two weeks of December.

• The Chapter Chairperson, based on scheduled Chapter activities, functions and the availability of the recipient, will determine the appropriate place and time for a formal presentation of the Education Fund Award and will notify the general membership of the event.  If possible, the Chapter should make the presentation at the Christmas/Holiday Banquet. 

• The award will be sent to the Bursar’s Office of the college or university the recipient will attend and is to be credited to in the student’s financial account.  

COSTS FOR ADMINISTERING THE EDUCATION FUND AWARD

•  Each year, during the period between September 1st and September 15th, the Secretary of the Washington, D.C. Chapter will send a notice to all current Chapter members reminding them of the upcoming Education Fund Award and the deadline date for submitting an application for such award.

• The Chapter Treasurer is authorized to make a one-time payment of not more than $100 each year to the Chapter Secretary for reimbursements of expenses incurred as the result of such notification and subsequent administration. Such expenses are to be validated with receipts and/or authenticated vouchers and the Chapter Treasurer shall debit the Education Fund in the amount of such expenses..