Nurse’s Educational Funds, Inc. (NEF) has one purpose: to provide scholarship assistance to nurses seeking graduate (master’s or doctoral) education. NEF is one of the largest national, private, professionally endorsed sources of funds for advanced study in nursing, for over 100 years. NEF is a non-profit organization with 501(c)(3) status, so all contributions are fully tax-deductible. Contributions can be directed to any of the established scholarships and funds, or used to create a new, named, permanent scholarship fund.
Any individual or organization can create and name a permanent scholarship. The scholarship creator can specify if the scholarship is for a master’s or doctoral degree, a nursing specialty, a certain nursing school, and whether an amount will be donated annually for the scholarship.
What is a Permanent NEF Scholarship?
A permanent “named” scholarship is created to be given in perpetuity and requires a total donation of at least $50,000. The scholarship can be established with a one-time donation of $50,000 to NEF, or it can be started with an initial donation and a pledge to contribute or fundraise regularly until the $50,000 requirement is met. Continued contributions provide a solid base for the fund and guarantee its growth and perpetuity. Over time, the principal remains carefully invested by NEF, and the interest dividends fund the annual scholarship for NEF scholars.
Ways to Honor Someone with a Permanent Scholarship
A permanent NEF Scholarship is a wonderful way to:
- recognize or perpetuate the memory of a loved one (living or deceased), a nursing leader, a community leader, a special friend, a family member, or a significant other.
- establish an ongoing alumni scholarship from a particular nursing educational program, especially if the program is now closed or is facing closure. A permanent scholarship creates a lasting scholarship in the name of that school or its alumni association; additionally, it creates a type of perpetuity for the program itself. Think about keeping your school's name alive by asking your alumni association to consider a permanent scholarship in their name or the school’s name.
