EDITORIAL FREELANCERS ASSOCIATION

Sponsor: Andrew (Andy) Huston

Website: the-efa.org

Contact SACP through project sponsor: andrew1067@aol.com

Project Background: click here

Mission: To provide scholarships to undergraduates attending an HBCU (historically Black college or university) and HBCU alums attending graduate school.

Impact Model:

CONTEXT

The publishing industry has not equitably provided careers for marginalized groups, and especially not for African Americans. In 2021 the EFA committed to help right this wrong and instituted this scholarship program to prepare HBCU students and alums for careers in publishing and related fields.

TARGET

Scholarships are available to undergrads attending an HBCU and HBCU alums attending grad school who are Black/African American and enrolled in a degree program leading to (1) employment in the publishing or communications industry, or (2) a career that could lead to their becoming a member of the EFA.

RESPONSE

For the inaugural year of the program, there were 54 applicants for the two scholarships the EFA funded. For the second cycle, more than 150 students applied for the three available scholarships. The response has been excellent, but unfortunately, the demand far exceeds the supply of funds.

OUTCOMES

HBCU students are supported in their pursuit of careers in publishing and related fields; they are well prepared for those careers; they exit college with no debt. HBCUs are supported by the funds provided, and UNCF (United Negro College Fund)—the program’s administrator—is supported in its work. The EFA gains new members and benefits from their knowledge.

vision

VISION

To help launch many deserving HBCU students and grads into careers in publishing and related fields, thereby making the industries more diverse, inclusive, and equitable, while providing fulfilling and financially rewarding careers to the scholarship recipients.

Current Status and Project Goals:

Each $5,000 scholarship requires $5,750 in funding (including UNCF’s 15% admin fee). The EFA has committed to fully funding three scholarships per year itself, this year and in the future. We are aiming to provide a total of six scholarships per year, so we need to turn to outside sources to fund the additional three scholarships annually. We do not have fundraising expertise, hence our outreach to ClassACT—we need guidance and direction from a classmate with fundraising experience, expertise, and connections!

Skills and Assistance Needed:

Fundraising
Program/structure refinement

ClassACT HR ‘73
Classacthr73@gmail.com

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