Apply For Funding

Lifting Education for Equity Fund (LEEF Fund)

SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT: $2000

Purpose

The Lifting Education for Equity Fund (LEEF) is sponsored by the Oregon American College of Nurse-Midwives Foundation – a (501c3) organization associated with the Oregon Affiliate of the American College of Nurse-Midwives. The Foundation was established in 2012 to support the mission and purposes of the Affiliate with a focus on the education of Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs), Certified Midwives (CMs), Student Nurse-Midwives (SNMs) and related health professionals. The Foundation is committed to strengthening midwifery education, leadership, diversity, and resilience.  

The LEEF was created in 2020 with all funds raised through direct contributions – mainly from Oregon midwives. The purpose of the fund is to provide financial support to midwifery students who identify as belonging to a group under-represented in midwifery. LEEF aims to improve the quality of care and address disparities in health outcomes by helping to build a workforce that represents the community in which the midwife will serve.

Applicants should be enrolled in a midwifery program in Oregon or doing distance-based education while residing in Oregon and who, ideally, are planning to work in Oregon after graduation.

The purpose of this fund is to facilitate an individual’s progression in education by offsetting financial strain and potentially reducing the need for educational loans. The long-term goal of this program is to encourage growth in the midwifery workforce that is representative of the broader Oregon/US population by specifically supporting people who have ancestral connections to African American, Indigenous, Latin American, and other groups under-represented in midwifery.

Funds may be used for any of the following:

  • Tuition
  • Educational materials – required books and materials
  • Housing and Living Costs (rent, childcare, food, etc)

 

Eligibility Requirements

The Applicant must:

  1. Live or study in Oregon

  2. Identify as a member of a group under-represented in midwifery.

  3. Have successfully completed at least one term of midwifery education

  4. Be a member of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) and the Oregon ACNM Affiliate.

  5. Participate in an interview with the selection committee

  6. Complete a brief awardee report within 12 months of receipt of the grant and permit the Oregon ACNM Foundation to use quotes (anonymously) in fundraising efforts.

The application must include the following:

  1. Applicant Information

  2. Proof of ACNM Membership

  3. Intended use of funds

  4. Current Resume

  5. Two (2) letters of recommendation (including one from someone associated with your educational institution). The person recommending should submit their letter directly to: Oregon.ACNM.Foundation@gmail.com

  6. Applicant Statement

APPLICATION SUBMISSION:

Applications will be accepted annually starting December 1 and must be received by February 1 the following year. Grant recipients will be announced on March 1.

Please address any questions to: Oregon.ACNM.Foundation@gmail.com