Boston Society of Landscape Architects Fund
A Refocus of Giving Efforts
BSLA ’ s Scholarship Program has grown significantly since its introduction in 2009 . Initially funded with a gift , BSLA was able to offer three $ 1,500 scholarships in its inaugural year . Now , BSLA ’ s Scholarship Program has more than doubled , thanks to funding from the Chapter ’ s on-going efforts including Fieldbook and earmarked firm donations . Each month BSLA transfers an amount which is 1 / 12 the total of planned giving for the coming year ' s awards , thus ensuring a steady growth of the principal .
In the past seven years , the BSLA Scholarship Program has grown to become one of the largest scholarship programs for landscape architecture students in the country . In 2016 , nearly $ 20,000 was provided to students in the form of scholarships and grants – more than quadruple the amount of the first year ' s awards .
While we are proud of that accomplishment , we all know there is so much more that needs to be done . That is why the Chapter ’ s Executive Committee created Boston Society of Landscape Architects Fund – the charitable sister organization of BSLA .
The mission of BSLA Fund ’ s is to “ support charitable initiatives including research and scholarships in the field of landscape architecture ”. BSLA Fund will administer the traditional BSLA Scholarship Program while also expanding it and running other programs such as the Lynn Wolff Fund .
Online Donations
bit . ly / BSLAFund bit . ly / LynnWolffFund
Contributions to BSLA Fund will be tax deductible . By setting up the BSLA Fund under a different tax code , it will be significantly more attractive for larger donations . This is a preferred as donations to the former BSLA Scholarship program were not tax-deductible .
In two weeks ’ time , BSLA Fund went from a promising idea to a fully incorporated , non-profit organization recognized as a 501 ( c )( 3 ) by the IRS . BSLA Fund ’ s board members are a mix of BSLA Executive Committee members and others , and BSLA will provide in-kind administrative support to BSLA Fund such as bookkeeping services , web site management , and general organizational assistance .
There is also a website , www . BSLAFund . org , to explain the purpose of the fund , the mechanism to apply for scholarships or grants , and , of course , the ability to make online donations .
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