Inside ASI-AP

MEDIA RELEASE

July 22, 2008

Second Birthday Celebrated With Gift Giving Spree
Biggest round yet for ASI SMART Company Scholarship Fund

The ASI SMART Company Scholarship Fund has celebrated its second birthday by awarding nine more non profit professionals from across the not for profit sector and across the country grants worth $11,000. This round of funding was one of the most competitive on record with $40,000 worth of funding requested, resulting in some tough decisions for the review panel.

“Demand is increasing so we must be doing something right,” says Paul Ramsbottom, managing director ASI Asia Pacific and instigator of the scholarship fund that aims to strengthen non profit sector professionals. “More not for profit professionals are seeking ongoing professional development than ever before and that’s good news.”

Recipients of the July round of scholarships include staff at: The Wilderness Society, Asthma Foundation of SA, Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia, Australian Red Cross, Hutt St Centre, Anglicord, Time for Kids, Caritas Australia, Australian Institute of Management – Vic/Tas. They hail from West Australia, South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria.

“Four states, nine organisations, recent graduates to the more experienced, household name organisations to smaller groups and they all have one thing in common – they want a smarter not for profit sector.”

Applications are now open for the next round of grants which feature one full and up to five part scholarships to the highly coveted Fundraising Institute of Australia’s Fundraising Leadership Program. The intensive residential program for senior and executive fundraisers covers critical issues in fundraising and philanthropy, transformational leadership, marketing charitable causes and social marketing. It is delivered in conjunction with the Melbourne School of Business and Centre for Social Impact at the University of NSW.

The September funding round closes Wednesday September 10. The ASI SMART Company Scholarship Fund supports individuals to undertake study directly relevant to their work in the non profit sector across Australia and New Zealand. Details: www.advsol.com/ap/scholarship

About ASI: Advanced Solutions International (Asia-Pacific) - ASI - has more than 35 staff and over 400 clients from the not-for-profit, charity and association sectors including: Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, The Cancer Council Victoria and the Australian Medical Association. They use ASI’s flagship software solution iMIS to manage membership communications, fundraising, events, payments and website content.

Media: Paul Ramsbottom is available to talk about the ASI SMART Company Scholarship Fund; associations, charities and not for profits and their use of technology, association management, Australia’s IT industry and more. Contact ASI media adviser, Brett de Hoedt of Hootville Communications on 03 9510 0848 / brett@hootville.com