PURPOSE
The Memorial Scholarship Fund of the ISPFMRA was established in the late 1960s to honor deceased members of the organization and provide scholarship funds for Illinois college students interested in careers in farm management, rural appraisal, agricultural finance, and/or agri- business. Since that time, the number and amount of scholarships awarded has varied depending upon the availability of funds. Effort has been made to keep the awards at respectable levels as tuition has risen.
SOURCE OF FUNDS
In the early years the primary source of funding for the scholarships was through donations made to the fund in honor of deceased members. The Illinois Society currently donates $100 to the fund at the death of a member, and other members are encouraged to make contributions in honor of deceased members as well. The scholarship auction was established at the society’s 1989 annual meeting. It has grown to provide approximately $5,000 per year to the scholarship fund.
Several years ago Louise Gish endowed a scholarship at the University of Illinois in honor of her late husband, Roger. The Memorial Scholarship Committee of the ISPFMRA selects a recipient for his scholarship each year. The award truly memorializes a long time devoted member of our society for his work in our profession.
The society encourages each member to consider following the example set forth by the Gish Memorial Scholarship with contributions to the scholarship fund, whether in one’s planned charitable giving or through one’s estate. While endowments can make the most permanent impact for future recipients, smaller contributions can be very effective and beneficial for students in offsetting the ever increasing cost of secondary education.
More information on endowments/planned giving can be obtained by contacting the following institutions of your choice:
University of Illinois Foundation
Philanthropy Center
303 St. Mary’s Road
Champaign, IL 61820
217-333-0810
Western Illinois University Foundation
1 University Circle
Macomb, IL 61455-1390
309-298-1861
Illinois State University Foundation
Campus Box 8000
Normal, IL 61790-8000
309-438-2294
Southern Illinois University Foundation
Colyer Hall
Mailcode 6805
Carbondale, IL 62901
618-453-4900
ADDITIONAL WAYS TO HELP
Many of us already contribute to our alma maters on a periodic basis. Simply directing your donation to the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers & Rural Appraisers Memorial Scholarship Fund can provide a more visual impact as you see the outcome of those funds in future years.
This year the ISPFMRA is encouraging a higher level of giving by offering to jointly name a scholarship in honor of any member or firm that contributes at least $750 to the fund, exclusive of the scholarship auction. This amount represents half of an anticipated $1,500 award. Publicity for the scholarship will reflect the joint effort that made it possible. This opportunity will be limited to three scholarships at the U of I this year, with hopes to expand it to ISU, WIU and SIU in the future.
THANKS
Lastly, the Memorial Scholarship Committee and the ISPFMRA sincerely thank the individuals, organizations and sponsors who have contributed in various forms for the benefit of many past and future scholarship recipients. For more information contact the Memorial Scholarship Committee, c/o ISPFMRA, N78W14573 Appleton Ave. #287, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051. Phone: 262-253-6902 / Fax: 262-253-6903