Our impact

The Australian Scholarships Foundation is committed to measuring the impact of our work, both to ensure we are making the difference we intend, and to constantly improve our offerings for the sector.

We have awarded 5,066 scholarships since 2009 worth $17.2 million.

• Greater access to learning and development opportunities for leaders and emerging leaders.
• Clear pathways for leadership and professional development opportunities identified.
• Education sector galvanized to support offering affordable not­ for-profit courses.
• Best practice leadership rewarded and recognised.
• A commitment to supporting training that offers diversity, inclusion and delivery to community regional organisations.
• Organisations understand the value of learning and development to drive growth strategies and retain employees.
• Sector strengthened through greater leadership capabilities.
• Supports a greater investment by organisations in learning and development.
• Assists organisations in developing a compelling employee value proposition focusing on attraction, engagement and retention of employees.
• Connect and collaborate with the leaders and organisations for positive change.

Our reach

Our scholarships have been awarded to not-for-profit staff and boards across Australia. There were 191 scholarships (35%) awarded to leaders located in remote, rural and regional areas who struggle to access quality education opportunities.

Cross-sector support

Our recipients are represented from across the sector including, social services, health, education and research, environment and animal welfare, arts, culture and recreation, and international development. Leaders in the sector continued to bear the challenges of covid and natural disasters which increased demand for their services to support their communities. During this period 46 percent of our scholarships were awarded to those in the social service and health areas.

Supporting diversity in leadership

Our scholarship offering supports areas of disadvantage and diversity in the sector. In 2022, 399 (76 percent) of scholarship recipients were female. Thirty-five of the recipients (6.3 percent) identified as Indigenous.

One hundred and twenty-two scholarships were awarded to leaders with disability through scholarships facilitated with the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Australian Network for Disability.

Scholar surveys

Our surveys repeatedly confirm the impact of our scholars’ studies. Scholars score highly on their improvement in technical skills, job performance and confidence. Our research (2019 to 2022) shows that 85 percent of not-for-profit scholars would not have had the opportunity to study without a scholarship, yet 96 percent noted improved job performance.

Hear from our scholars

Our alumni are highly capable, experienced leaders and managers, committed to delivering their purpose and vision using resourceful and productive business methods. Click on the photos below to read more on our alumni stories and testimonials of impact.

Our ASF Alumni Ambassadors are executives and board members representing large and small not-for-profit organisations across Australia who champion capability-building and support us in creating a leadership community for the sector. Read more about their work.

This scholarship has helped me to develop my own leadership style and given me the confidence and belief in myself to take on the role of CEO of Western Chances, an amazing organisation who empowers young people to overcome barriers and achieve their potential.”

Zac Lewis, CEO, Western Chances
Master of Business Administration, Kaplan Business School (2019)

“The program was beyond expectation – I didn’t think it would be so rich in information and application to everything we do. It was an amazing opportunity to meet Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people working across all sectors; high achievers and inspirational.”

Dr. Odette Pearson, Senior Research Fellow at Wardliparingga
Aboriginal Health Equity, SAHMRI and Adjunct Senior Fellow at Adelaide Medical School
Company Directors Course for Indigenous Business Leaders, 
Australian Institute of Company Directors (2018)

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