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Richmond Forum Scholars Program

THE RICHMOND FORUM

Foundation Annual Youth Leadership GrantsGrants for Education
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Funding Amount

Varies

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Richmond Forum Scholars Program

Status: Active

Geographic Scope: Richmond, Virginia region (high school juniors from regional schools)

Focus Areas: Leadership development, civic engagement, public speaking, intellectual curiosity, networking with national and international leaders

Program Description:
A selective volunteer program for five of the region's highest-achieving and most impressive high school juniors to work behind-the-scenes at The Richmond Forum's speaker series and interact with national and international leaders.

Eligibility:

  • High school juniors only

  • Active interest in leadership and volunteering

  • Strong academic achievement (competitive GPA)

  • Ability to juggle multiple extra-curricular activities

  • Maturity and comfort working/interacting with adults

  • Demonstrated leadership through community involvement

    • What the Program Includes:

  • Volunteer positions at five annual Richmond Forum programs

  • Pairing with featured speakers of choice

  • Behind-the-scenes involvement in forum operations

  • Attendance at corporate dinners with VIP guests

  • Introduction of speakers to Student Room audiences

  • Moderation of Q&A discussions with speakers

  • Networking with other high-achieving students and alumni

  • Building confidence in public speaking and leadership

  • Exposure to diverse viewpoints from various speakers and guests

    • Application Competitiveness:

  • Attracts 40-50 applicants annually

  • Pool is increasingly competitive

  • Selection based on academic excellence, leadership potential, and demonstrated initiative

    • Alumni Network:

  • Scholars have attended Yale, Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, and other prestigious universities

    • Contact:

  • Sandra Wheeler, Director of Student Programs

  • The Richmond Forum

  • 110 South 15th Street Suite B

  • Richmond, VA 23219

  • Office: (804) 330-3993

  • Office Hours: 9am – 5pm

    • Organization: The Richmond Forum is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) educational organization and America's largest nonprofit speaker series.

    How to Apply

    How to Apply

    1. Eligibility Check: Confirm you are a high school junior at a school in the Richmond region

    2. Application Materials:
    - Application form
    - Video essay component
    - Academic resume highlighting GPA, honors, and achievements
    - Record of leadership involvement and volunteer work
    - Demonstration of interest in current events and civic engagement

    3. Application Process:
    - Submit application through The Richmond Forum website
    - Include information about academic achievements, extra-curricular activities, and leadership roles
    - Complete required video essay
    - Application typically takes significant time to prepare (approximately 20 hours)

    4. Selection Timeline:
    - Applications reviewed annually
    - Selections made for the upcoming school year

    5. Contact for Questions:
    - Sandra Wheeler, Director of Student Programs
    - Office: (804) 330-3993
    - Office Hours: 9am – 5pm

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    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    youth-leadershipeducation

    Categories

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