Application Deadline: Oct. 15

Background

In 1991, with a generous contribution from LAF-supported plaintiff Colleen Roberts (Roberts v. College of the Desert), the LAF Board of Directors began making grants to fund travel for LAF plaintiffs to speak at state and regional AAUW meetings. Based on the enthusiastic response, LAF continues to make a limited number of Plaintiff Travel Grants each year.

The grants aim to help states and regions increase knowledge of LAF and equity issues in higher education and to raise funds in support of LAF by bringing together AAUW members and women whose cases are being supported by the fund.

Grants are made for the cost of air travel for plaintiffs to event sites. Costs of room and meals may be included if funds permit. States and regions are encouraged to budget for some costs of the plaintiff's stay. They may, however, deduct necessary costs from gross receipts.

Criteria

Plaintiff Travel Grants must promise a positive outcome for LAF in terms of increases in 1) visibility, 2) fundraising, and 3) member and public awareness of equity issues in higher education. The program may target AAUW participants only or a broader audience.

The Educational Foundation board-appointed selection committee may consider the following criteria in selecting recipients of Plaintiff Travel Grants:

• The grant would significantly increase awareness of LAF and equity issues in higher education.
• The grant would generate major financial support for LAF.
• The state or region has an ongoing commitment to LAF.
• The state or region has a proven track record of successful visibility efforts.

Members of the LAF Development Committee and LAF staff are available to work with the state or region that receives Plaintiff Travel Grants on its programming.

Application Deadline

Applications must be received by Oct. 15.

Application Process

Applications should be sent to the AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund, 1111 Sixteenth N.W., Washington, DC 20036, by Oct. 15. The EF Board chooses states or regions by Jan. 1 to receive grants for plaintiff travel to their state conventions and regional conferences in the spring. If there are any questions, please feel free to contact the LAF office at 202/785-7750 or via e-mail at laf@aauw.org. 

In the Application Proposal

The LAF liaison, in consultation with the state president or regional director and program vice president, should develop a proposal that includes the following information.  (Please provide all information in complete form):

1. Description of the Program/Event Featuring the LAF Plaintiff
   1. Program format
      1. Will the plaintiff make a speech to a large audience?
      2. Will the plaintiff participate in a panel discussion?
      3. Will the plaintiff make a presentation at a workshop?
      4. What will be the extent of the plaintiff's involvement? Will she participate in more than one scheduled program?
   2. Intended audience
      1. Is the program targeted specifically to AAUW members?
      2. Will members of other organizations be invited to attend? If so, which organizations?
      3. How many attendees do you project?
   3. Fundraising plan
      1. Some suggested strategies:
         * an auction
         * ticket sales for the plaintiff's presentation
         * sales of items with proceeds going to LAF
   4. Fundraising goals
      1. Based on the number of attendees projected and the type of fundraising you will be doing, estimate the total amount of contributions you expect to raise (be specific).
      2. How does this event fit into the state/region's overall LAF fundraising goal? Will this be the only fundraising event for LAF or what other activities are taking place?
   5. Education and awareness
      1. What key information about LAF and issues for women in higher education do you expect to impart?
      2. How will you measure your success in doing this?
      3. Is your state/region involved in any current issues that could benefit from having an LAF plaintiff appear at your convention?
   
    
2. Brief History of State's/Region's LAF Involvement
   1. What is the state/regions' LAF contribution history?
      1. In the past three years, how much money was raised for LAF?
      2. How many AAUW branches participated in reaching that total?
      3. In what other ways has the state/region worked to raise awareness of LAF?
   2. Has the state/region previously received an LAF Plaintiff Travel Grant? If yes, respond to the following questions:
      1. When was the travel grant issued?
      2. What was the type of program at which the LAF plaintiff appeared?
      3. Which LAF plaintiff appeared?
   
    
3. Details of Plan to Achieve Visibility Within AAUW and/or in Local, Statewide, or Regional Media
   
    
4. Plan for Evaluating Program Outcome
   1. How will you measure the outcome of the program in the following areas?
      1. Awareness
      2. Contributions
      3. Visibility
      4. AAUW membership outreach
   2. Please send a written evaluation of your program to the LAF office, along with contributions raised, within two weeks of the event.
   
    
5. Program Coordinator's Name, Address, Phone and Fax Numbers, and E-mail