SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES OF

The Educational Foundation, IOOF Home Page

 

How do you obtain an application for a Scholarship or Grant?

Applications can be obtained by mailing an Application Request form to:

R. Kenneth Babb
Educational Foundation, IOOF
P.O. Box 20455
Winston-Salem, NC 27120
 
EMAIL requests can be sent to: rkbabb1@bellsouth.net  
When using EMAIL, identify Application(s) requested & address of student applicant
Fax Requests to: (336) 724-5116
 
 
Important: Please review the eligibility requirements for the Scholarships and Grants on these pages.
Do not request any application that you do not meet the requirements for APPLICATIONS DESIRED
1.         INGSTROM TRUST REGIONAL SCHOLARSHIP - $3,000.00
2.         CHARLES J. & CHRISTINE WIRZ SCHOLARSHIP - $2,000.00
3.         CHRISTINE SMITH GRADUATE STUDIES SCHOLARSHIP - $15,000.00
4.         ODD FELLOWS & REBEKAHS VOCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY SCHOLARSHIP - $1 ,000.00
5.         EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION CONTINUING EDUCATION CAREER ENRICHMENT GRANTS - $1,000.00
6.         UNITED NATIONS PILGRIMAGE FOR YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP - $1,500.00
7.         GLENN COURSEY AGRICULTURE SCHOLARSHIP - $3,000.00

INSPIRATlONAL FOUNDERS OF THE EDUCATlONAL FOUNDATlON , IOOF

Flora Sheets

The Educational Foundation was a dream of Sister Flora Sheets who realized the importance of a continued education beyond High School, and the difficulty for not only children in orphan homes but others to have adequate funds for college. From a humble beginning in 1927 the Educational Foundation assisted 11 students for a total of $3,100.00.

Flora E. Sheets was born on September 5, 1888 and passed away on October 3, 1975 in the Odd Fellows Home in Mattoon, IL. Due to the loss of her mother and father when she was 12, Flora with three sisters and one brother entered the Odd Fellows Children's home in Lincoln, IL. At the age of seventeen, she entered Southern Illinois University and later studied at Illinois State and Lincoln College. After one year as a rural teacher, she returned to the Children's Home as a teacher for ten years. The following five years she served on the faculty of the Junior High School in Lincoln.

In 1908 she was initiated a member of Orphans Home Rebekah Lodge NO.9 in Lincoln and five years later served as Noble Grand. She served as President of the Rebekah Assembly in 1921¬1922. She was representative to the Association of Rebekah Assemblies in 1924 and was appointed chairman of the Educational Committee.

After three years of study, legislation creating the Educational Foundation was adopted by The Sovereign Grand Lodge on September 20, 1927 at its session in Hot Springs, AR. She was appointed on the first board of Trustees and

served as Executive Secretary. At the 1936 session it was voted that the Executive Secretary should not be a Board Member. She resigned from the Board and was employed as Executive Secretary until she retired in 1955.

Ernest W. Bradford

A Christian gentleman, devoted Odd Fellow and member of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia, Brother Bradford was profoundly interested in the work of the Foundation and he made valuable contributions to the work of educating young people.

His work as an Odd Fellow and citizen have been dealt with in other annals of the Order, but it is appropriate to record that Brother Bradford was the Father of the Legislation  which The Sovereign Grand Lodge enacted creating the Foundation, September 20,1927. It was his foresight and wisdom which snatched the ideas and ideals back of the Educational Foundation from what would have been ultimate death and was largely responsible for the creation of a structure for it, giving it the elements of enduring life and strength.

His appointment as the first three-year member of the Board from The Sovereign Grand Lodge was a just recognition of his service and

interest. During the seven years and seven months he served as Chairman of the Board, he made numerous trips to the office of the Secretary to help with Foundation problems, he carried on a heavy yearly correspondence in behalf of the work, gave freely of his time and unstintingly of his sound advice, encouragement and wise counsel so that the work might advance along the soundest possible lines. All this was done without a cent of remuneration and without a gesture seeking personal honor or glory.

His name should always stand at the head of the list of those who have given most to advance the work of the Educational Foundation.

 

WHAT IS THE EDUCATlONAL FOUNDATlON AND WHAT IS ITS PURPOSE?

The EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows began its operation on September 20, 1927. The purpose of the Foundation is to operate a revolving loan fund for qualified students dependent in part, or wholly, on their own efforts for an education. Since the beginning of the Foundation, donations of approximately $3,500,000 have made it possible for over 3,500 young people to receive student loans amounting to over $6,800,000.

The Foundation has expanded its educational investment in deserving students by providing the following Scholarships.
1.         INGSTROM TRUST REGIONAL SCHOLARSHIP - $3,000.00
2.         CHARLES J. & CHRISTINE WIRZ SCHOLARSHIP - $2,000.00
3.         CHRISTINE SMITH GRADUATE STUDIES SCHOLARSHIP - $15,000.00
4.         ODD FELLOWS & REBEKAHS VOCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY SCHOLARSHIP - $1 ,000.00
5.         EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION CONTINUING EDUCATION CAREER ENRICHMENT GRANTS - $1,000.00
6.         UNITED NATIONS PILGRIMAGE FOR YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP - $1,500.00
7.         GLENN COURSEY AGRICULTURE SCHOLARSHIP - $3,000.00
 
 

WHAT ARE THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SCHOLARSHIPS?

Ingstrom Scholarship
The regional scholarships are based on Financial Need, Scholarship and Leadership. $3,000.00 is awarded annually to a student in each of 15 Regions of the US and Canada.
Eligibility Requirements:
1.         Applicants must have completed one grading period in a College or University.
2.         Applicants must be a member of the Order or have a relative who is a member of an Odd Fellow or Rebekah Lodge.
3.         The Application must be signed by the Secretary of the Odd Fellow or Rebekah Lodge to verify membership.
4.         Completed Applications are due by May 15.
5.         Winners will be notified prior to August 1.
 

Wirz Scholarship

The Wirz scholarships are based on
Financial Need, Scholarship and Leadership. Usually, two $2,000.00 scholarships are awarded annually to students without regard to Order affiliation.
Eligibility Requirements:
1.         Applicants must have completed one grading period in a College or University.
2.         The Application must have a Lodge endorsement.
3.         Completed Applications are due by May 15.
4.         Winners will be notified prior to August 1.
 

Christine Smith Scholarship

Christine Smith served as a member of the Educational Foundation, IOOF for 24 years. Her generosity through her estate has initiated the Educational Foundation's Graduate Studies Scholarship to respond to the need for research and study focused on Children & Family issues.
The scholars who receive the $15,000.00 Christine Smith Graduate Studies Scholarships conduct critical inquiry and evaluation that impacts the disadvantaged and underserved, becoming highly trained professionals working in the area of social intervention after completing a specialized program at the masters or doctoral level addressing the needs of society relating to Children & Family issues.
Eligibility Requirements:
1.         Hold a bachelor's degree or its equivalent.
2.         Have a superior record in previous academic work.
3.         Have two or more years of recent professional experience in the field of social work or a related field.
4.         Propose a program of study specializing in children and families, at the master's or doctoral level.
5.         Submit evidence of graduate school admission (copies of formal acceptance letters), to an accredited university.
6.         Preference will be given to US & Canadian applicants.
 

Vocational Technology Scholarship

The Odd Fellows & Rebekahs Vocational Technology scholarships are based on Financial Need and Leadership. This scholarship evolved from the Lawson/Pezo scholarships that were awarded in 2005 from the efforts of LaVaughn Lawson, PGM and Martha Pezo, PP. $1,000.00 is awarded to eligible students annually.
Eligibility Requirements:
1.         Applicants must have completed High School or have a GED equivalent.
2.         Applicants must be a member of the Order or have a relative who is a member of an Odd Fellow or Rebekah Lodge.
3.         The Application must be signed by the Secretary of the Odd Fellow or Rebekah Lodge to verify membership.
4.         Completed Applications are due by May 15.
5.         Winners will be notified prior to August 1.
 

Continuing Education Grants

The Educational Foundation, IOOF endorses career development by supporting members who wish to enroll in continuing education courses in job related fields, or for enrollment in continuing education courses in a new field to further their occupational goals. Grant funds will be awarded as an incentive for individual growth and development.
Eligibility Requirements:  
1.         The grant application should be made at least 60 days before the grant funds are required.
2.         Grant applicants must be member of a branch the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
3.         Eligible expenses:
            a. Required books/publications for continuing education courses
            b. Tuition and student fees for continuing education courses
4.         Individuals may apply for up to $1,000.00 for expenses not covered by their employer or someone else.
5.         Recipients will submit a 100-150 word signed article for The IOOF News about the class they attended. The article should include a review of the class, highlights of what was learned and how it will be useful on their job. The article is subject to editing by The Educational Foundation, IOOF staff and will be published by the Sovereign Grand Lodge as space allows.
 

Glenn Coursey Scholarship

$3,000.00 Scholarships are awarded annually to students who have completed one semester in college and are pursuing a career in agriculture, plus:
Show a need for financial assistance. Demonstrate leadership ability.
Be enrolled in an accredited two or four year college, university or vocational-technology school.
 

UNP Scholarship

$1,500.00 Scholarships are awarded annually to the weekly speech contest winners during the United Nations Pilgrimage For Youth Tour in New York sponsored by the Order.
Eligibility Requirements:
1.         Winners must comply with the age and school class requirements of the Tour.
2.         The scholarships are sent to the winners when they enroll in a College or University.

 


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