Maddie’s Fund Scholarship

Scholarship Recipient Rules & Guidelines


Purpose

The Maddie’s Fund 2025 scholarship supports first-time attendees from rural communities working in the animal welfare profession to participate in The Annual Conference 2025 in Atlanta, GA.

Award

  • Amount: $2,000 per recipient
  • Intended use: Registration, travel, lodging, and reasonable meal/per diem and local transportation while attending official conference activities
  • Not covered: Alcohol, entertainment, room service, companion travel, souvenirs/gifts, personal items, or any expenses not directly related to conference participation

Eligibility

All applicants must meet ALL the following:

  • Work in the animal welfare profession (e.g., municipal agency, nonprofit shelter/rescue, animal control, or related community services)
  • Serve a rural community
  • Have never attended The Annual Conference
  • Be 18 years or older and legally able to receive funds in the United States
  • Be able to attend the full conference, November 3-6, 2025, in Atlanta, GA

Application Requirements

Selection Criteria

Applications will be approved on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications must be fully complete before entering the queue for approval.

What the Scholarship Covers

  • Registration: Full conference registration at the published scholarship/complimentary rate
  • Travel & Lodging
  • Meals

Payment & Reimbursement

  • The Association will pay the conference registration fee directly ($430 value)
  • The Association will provide you with a travel and meal stipend of $1,570 to be used for other eligible expenses.
  • The scholarship does not cover registration for The Network Live. Information for adding The Network Live will be provided to scholarship recipients.

Deadlines (subject to change)

  • Applications open: Friday, August 29
  • Applications close: When all scholarships are awarded
  • Recipients notified: Upon acceptance (no later than October 1, 2025)

Recipient Agreement (Conditions of Award)

By accepting the scholarship, recipients agree to:

  • Register by the stated deadline and attend the full conference (November 4-6)
  • Act in accordance with The Association’s and the venue’s policies
  • Notify The Association immediately of any changes that may affect attendance or eligibility
  • Understand that awards are non‑transferable; if you cannot attend, the award may be rescinded and offered to an alternate. Please contact us immediately if you are unable to attend.

Publicity & Consent

Recipients consent to the use of their name, organization, and non-sensitive quotes/testimonials in The Association's communications.

Questions? Email: Lori Minton