Governance scholarships available to NFPs

The Scholarships are available to applicants keen to pursue postgraduate governance studies at any government-accredited tertiary institution anywhere in the world and are based on merit and financial need. Successful applicants will receive payments to cover course fees of up to AUD$2,100 per subject, to a maximum of AUD$12,600 for the whole course.

“Practical skills and knowledge in governance are critical for anyone seeking to improve the performance, transparency and accountability of their organisation, whatever sector they may be in – corporate, government or not-for-profit (NFP),” says Judith Fox, National Director of Policy, Governance Institute of Australia.

“NFP bodies in particular are increasingly aware of how a robust governance framework directly builds public trust and contributes to the credibility and success of the organisation.”

Since its establishment two years ago, the Chant Legacy Scholarship has awarded a total of 21 scholarships, of which seven have gone to deserving recipients from the NFP sector.

‘Governance’ refers to the systems, processes and cultural frameworks within an organisation that guide good decision-making and result in a well-run, effective organisation. Awareness of the importance of good governance for NFP organisations has grown significantly in recent years. Today, there is a widespread understanding that strong governance is fundamental particularly for NFP bodies which are often charged with achieving important, socially valuable goals with limited resources.

At the same time, developing and implementing the correct governance structure for an organisation can be a challenging task for directors and executives due to the diversity of the NFP sector. Finding a governance framework that is appropriate for the organisation’s size, complexity and mission, is an exercise in fine judgement, not just a matter of rolling out a ‘one size fits all’ model.

In this challenging environment, the Chant Legacy Scholarship is an important resource for NFP directors and staff as it provides an opportunity to build and consolidate governance expertise enabling them to set up their organisations for future success.

Practical skills and applied knowledge in governance have never been more important to organisations in all sectors, including the NFP sector. The Chant Legacy Scholarship provides a unique opportunity for NFP directors and staff to gain skills they need to continue advancing their work within the sector.

The 2013 winners from the NFP and community sector very capably demonstrated determination to build capacity within their organisations, or to roll out good governance practices more widely across the sector.

“As trustees of the Chant Legacy Scholarship, we look forward to advancing the careers of yet another crop of promising individuals with the drive and passion to translate their skills into effective governance leadership,” says Fox.

Scholarship applications will be judged and awarded by an independent committee of widely respected governance professionals, including the Director of the UTS Centre for Corporate Governance, Professor Thomas Clarke; Julie Hare, Higher Education Editor at The Australian, and Governance Institute Board Member, Douglas Gration.

Sarah Harding

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