Yes, contributions are tax-deductible. 100% of donations help to keep NEF scholarships funded in perpetuity; organization expenses are covered by prudent management of NEF’s investments.

Donations can be made in multiple ways: online, by mail, Zelle, Donor-Advised Fund, corporate donation, or estate planning.

NEF’s named scholarships, created with a minimum donation of $50,000, honor and memorialize nurse leaders, from Isabel Hampton Robb to Thelma Schorr to Susan Bowar-Ferres. Learn more about funding a named, permanent scholarship here.

The mission of NEF is more important than ever. Our motto is "Scholarship for Leadership." Unlike need-based aid, NEF’s scholarships are awarded for leadership potential, raising funds to invest in graduate nursing students poised to fill tomorrow’s positions in education, practice, and research.

NEF scholarships help to address faculty shortages and advanced practice needs.

Nursing faces an overwhelming leadership shortage on multiple fronts: faculty retiring from the classroom, patient care nurses burning out and leaving the bedside after the COVID-19 pandemic, and too few rising leaders prepared to replace either group. By investing in nurses at critical points in their academic and clinical journeys, NEF donors directly fuel innovation, leadership, and systemic change across healthcare.

For over a century, NEF scholars have taken graduate-level education and translated it into extraordinary real-world outcomes. NEF scholars impact the future of health in seven key ways:

Transforming Patient Care & National Standards

NEF scholars directly shape clinical standards and improve patient quality of life. For instance, Neville Strumpf (1978 Scholar) co-developed the scientific foundation for restraint-free care—advocating before Congress to establish a practice that became the national standard in long-term and elderly care.

Leading Advanced Clinical Specialties

Graduate funding allows nurses to pioneer highly specialized care across the continuum of health. Giselle Holness (2009 Scholar) utilized her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree to advance liver transplant care at Mount Sinai Hospital, managing high-acuity patients from pre-transplant through surgery, recovery, and post-transplant care.

Building & Elevating Nursing Education

Faced with a persistent shortage of nurse educators, NEF Scholars step up to train the next generation. Geraldine Labecki (1947 Scholar) established Clemson University’s undergraduate nursing program and became Clemson’s first female collegiate dean, while M. Louise Fitzpatrick (1970 Scholar) led Villanova University’s College of Nursing for 39 years, transforming it into a nationally recognized premier institution.

Driving Policy, Ethics, & Public Health Response

Our recipients serve on the frontlines of national crises and ethical governance. Annmarie Muñana (2021 Scholar) applied her expertise in health law and ethics to evaluate COVID-19 vaccines for the Chicago Department of Public Health, served on the ANA’s Center for Ethics and Human Rights Advisory Board, and was appointed to the national COVID-19 Monument Commission.

Championing Advocacy & Global Health Initiatives

NEF scholars address pressing societal challenges beyond traditional hospital walls. Francine Bono-Neri (2019 Scholar) co-founded Nurses United Against Human Trafficking to educate healthcare providers on anti-trafficking measures—efforts that earned her recognition at the United Nations.

Advancing Organizational Leadership & Professional Standards

Scholarship recipients go on to lead major national bodies. Judith Whitaker (1951 Scholar) served as Executive Director of the American Nurses Association (ANA), expanding its reach and elevating nursing into a recognized, highly organized profession nationwide.

Paying It Forward

The legacy of NEF scholars doesn’t stop with their own achievements. Many recipients—including Dr. Labecki, Dr. Whitaker, Dr. Fitzpatrick, and Dr. Bono-Neri—go on to establish permanent named scholarship funds with NEF, ensuring that future generations of nurse leaders receive the same vital support.

Many donors look to make gifts in honor of a loved one, a caregiver, or a mentor:

• Honoring a nurse who provided exceptional care to a family member.
• Celebrating a nurse’s retirement, graduation, or milestone achievement.
• Commemorating the memory of a beloved nurse practitioner or educator.
• Leaving a personalized message of gratitude to a nurse who has impacted their life.