Q: What percentage of funds donated to Avon Dollars For Scholars goes directly to benefit Avon students?
A: Avon Dollars for Scholars is proud that 97% of all donated funds are used to benefit Avon students in the form of scholarships. Only a very small 3% is used for administrative purposes — mostly toward printing and postage costs for our annual town-wide mailing. Our parent organization, Scholarship America, received the highest possible grade (A+) from the American Institute of Philantropy’s Charity Watch.
Q: How is Avon Dollars For Scholars different from other local scholarship administrators?
A: Avon Dollars for Scholars is significantly different in the following ways:
• Avon Dollars For Scholars uses a fair, unbiased selection process in awarding scholarships. Each application for a scholarship is assigned a number, so that the Scholarship Selection Committee never knows the identity of the applicant. This ensures a fair selection process.
• Avon Dollars For Scholars enjoys a preferred status with many colleges. Over 2,000 different colleges and universities have agreed not to reduce their financial aid package by the scholarship amount. Some colleges/universities even match the Dollars For Scholars award amount, in recognition of the student’s achievement, which further leverages your donation.
• Avon Dollars For Scholars has investment expertise. This enables DFS to offer permanently endowed scholarships that fund a scholarship each year from the investment income and capital gains.
• Avon Dollars For Scholars is a local chapter of a larger national Scholarship America organization, which provides oversight and support. Scholarship America is the nation’s leading non-profit scholarship and educational support group. It has received the highest rating for sound financial management from Charity Navigator for 7 straight years – a feat acheived by only 1% of America’s non-profit organizations. It has also received an A+ rating from the American Institute of Philanthropy’s Charity Watch.
• Avon Dollars For Scholars has strong and diverse leadership. The officers and directors include many prominent Avon business leaders, as well as members of the Avon High School guidance department, community-oriented parents, and Avon High alumni.
• Avon Dollars for Scholars is officially recognized by the IRS as a valid tax exempt charitiable 501©3 non-profit organization (Our EIN# is 06-0998865). Not all local scholarship administrators have this designation, and submit the required annual financial reports to the IRS.
• As a recognized 501©3 organization, Avon Dollars For Scholars qualifies for matching funds from many area employers, which can double the impact of your donation.