Three scholarship places are being offered by The Stanford Australia Foundation (SAF), with the support of Dyson Bequest, to support not-for-profit leaders to study at the Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) in the United States.
Our research shows know that 33% of executives in the not-for-profit sector do not have access to a designated training budget, and the chance to study internationally for not-for-profit leaders is a rare opportunity.
Ben Vasiliou is the Chief Executive Officer of Youth Projects, and was a scholarship recipient Stanford Australia Foundation Scholarships, Stanford Australia Foundation (2019). Ben recently graduated from the Executive Education in Social Entrepreneurship Program at Stanford University (USA) and says, “Being awarded a scholarship by the Stanford Australia Foundation to study an executive education program at Stanford University was a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
Ben Vasiliou,
Chief Executive Officer of
Youth Projects
Recipient of the Stanford Australia Foundation Scholarship in 2019.
Youth Projects work with people facing barriers to social and economic participation with a primary focus on young people and people experiencing homelessness to provide responsive and timely intervention to open up pathways out of poverty and homelessness – breaking the cycle of disadvantage.
Leading business school
The Stanford Australia Foundation scholarships enable not-for-profits to study at Stanford University, one of the world’s leading universities and the Stanford Graduate School Business is consistently ranked as one of the world’s top business schools. Ben Vasiliou noted that during his studies, “I was exposed to renowned lecturers in design thinking who have helped me to shape our strategic plan and also teach other leaders in the business to see challenges and problems from different perspectives.”
Bec Johnson, CEO of Type 1 Diabetes Family Centre
Recipient of the Stanford Australia Foundation Scholarship in 2021.
Type 1 Diabetes Family Centre offers unique education programs, supportive connections, inspirational role models, friendly clinical care and action-packed camps and events to help people impacted by type 1 diabetes to live without limits.
Executive Program for Non-Profit Leaders
Scholarship recipients are able to attend the Executive Education course of their choice held at the Graduate School of Business located at Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA, between January 1st and December 31st, 2023. Many applicants are encouraged to consider the six-day Executive Program for Non-Profit Leaders (EPNL).
This program includes sessions on Strategy development, Power dynamics, Diversity, Balancing Business and Social Objectives, Fostering Collaboration and Exchange; and workshops on topics including Mission & Strategic Identification.
Bec Johnson, CEO of Type 1 Diabetes Family Centre, was recipient of the Stanford Australia Foundation Scholarship in 2021 and recently completed the EPNL program. She notes, “The curriculum and faculty were brilliant and provided an elegant and effective mix of theory, activities that pushed us out of our comfort zones, and practical tools we could take home and implement straight away. We covered a huge amount of ground, including strategy, communication, storytelling, good decision-making, effective collaboration, crisis management, scaling, and blocking bias – I’m using my new insights and information every day.
The Stanford Graduate School of Business Executive Program for Non-Profit Leaders was energising, enlightening and intense.
Bec Johnson, CEO of Type 1 Diabetes Family Centre
New contacts from around the world
One of the most rewarding parts of the scholarship experience for recipients is sharing learnings with people from around the work.
Bec Johnson shares, “The program also gave me connections with 62 intelligent, energetic leaders who are as passionate about their causes as I am about mine. Meeting and learning from them gave me a shot of energy that I appreciated deeply. We are in regular contact via WhatsApp and LinkedIn groups, sharing notes, thoughts, questions, answers, and resources. I now have a remarkable and inspiring support network I feel I could pick up the phone to anywhere in the world and ask for help and advice”.
“The most incredible and tangible outcome for me was the network of international leaders I can now call peers, shared Ben Vasiliou. Noting that the connections live on saying, “We continue to share challenges and opportunities with each other, a year after the program. This scholarship and the things I learnt have had a significant impact on my leadership which has benefited the organisations I work with.”
Three scholarships in 2023
This year the Stanford Australia Foundation (SAF), with the support of Dyson Bequest, is supporting not-for-profit leaders with two scholarship opportunities to study at the Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) in the United States. The two scholarships are the:
- Stanford Australia Foundation Not-For-Profit Leadership Scholarship (2 places available)
- Stanford Australia Foundation Scholarship for Not-For-Profit Leaders with Disability (1 place available)
To be eligible for SAF not-for-profit scholarships recipients must be employed by an Australian non-profit organisation with Deductible Gift Recipient Status 1 (DGR1) and plan to remain with the organisation, and be an Australian citizen or have permanent or temporary residency in Australia.
Please note that candidates are required to be in organisational leadership roles. Those who are solely in non-executive director or board roles are not eligible.
Scholarships close on Friday 28 October 2022. Read full details of the 2022 Stanford Australia Foundation Scholarships here.
