WSSAF Foundation Scholarship

We do not believe so. Oregon SAF has successfully dealt with this question for 17 years. Their fundraising efforts include both the national foresters’ fund and the OSAF Foundation. For example, at their annual meeting they have raffles and auctions for the national foresters’ fund the same way as WSSAF currently does. They also have a specific raffle or auction item for the OSAF Foundation. Neither Oregon nor the National SAF office has observed conflicts between the two funds. The sources of funds for the Foundation are in the nature of long-term annuities as well as annual cash contributions.

As per the charter, the Foundation will be used to support scholarships for students attending forestry schools and to provide funding for other educational projects.

Scholarships will be provided to students attending forestry schools accredited under SAF guidelines. The focus will be on schools in Washington State. However, the Charter is broad enough to allow the Trustees to recognize and support students from Washington State who may be attending non-Washington schools, for example, for an advanced degree not available within Washington state. All SAF-accredited Washington state institutions of forestry education will be invited to make this opportunity known to their students, including those offering bachelor degrees, forest technician certification, and advanced degrees.

The Foundation Charter places the responsibility with the Board of Trustees to make equalized distributions of scholarships between grade levels and types of schools. No scholarships will be awarded until the fund balance has reached $20,000. The scholarships will be paid from the earnings or revenue from the Foundation assets; the principal may not be used for scholarships. Scholarship payments will, in most instances, be made directly to the schools at the time tuition payments are due. The Charter and draft by-laws give the Board of Trustees latitude to make payments to students when that is the more effective or efficient form of payment.

Educational grants will be provided to WSSAF chapters, the Executive Committee, or other entities for educational projects. The WSSAF Fair Display is one example of a project that could apply for a grant. Assistance with expenses for Chapter student field days or other such projects would also be eligible grant types. The Board of Trustees will have the responsibility to set the criteria for grants. The WSSAF Executive Committee believes that scholarships should have the priority over educational grants. Therefore, educational grants will not be offered until the fund reaches $30,000.00 The grants would be paid from the earning or revenue from the Foundation assets; the principal may not be used for grants.