2015 Sher Kung Grant
Dear Applicant:
Thank you for your interest in the GLBT Bar Association of Washington Foundation (“QLAW
Foundation”) Sher Kung Grant.
The QLAW Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to serving the lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community and people living with HIV/AIDS. We offer summer
grants to help fund public interest projects that help promote the legal rights of the LGBT community
and people living with HIV/AIDS.
Our grants consist of a maximum of $5,000 for 10 full-time, 40-hour weeks. Grants are awarded
based on the following criteria:
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The applicant’s Project Statement, including (1) how the applicant’s proposal benefits the
legal needs of the LGBT community and/or people living with HIV/AIDS; (2) whether the
applicant’s proposal addresses issues that currently receive inadequate attention and/or
limited representation by individuals, organizations, or government bodies; (3) the applicant’s
demonstrated commitment to, and interest in, issues of concern to the LGBT community
and/or people living with HIV/AIDS.
The applicant’s satisfaction of the Applicant Eligibility Criteria.
The applicant’s Resume and References.
The Sponsor Profile and how the applicant’s project with the Sponsor will help serve the LGBT
community and/or people living with HIV/AIDS.
We invite you to apply for one of our summer grants by completing the enclosed application and
submitting it to Nicholas Oakley, Grant Coordinator, at noakley@ccyj.org on or before April 12, 2015.
Best Regards,
QLAW Foundation 2015 Grant Committee
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QLAW Foundation Sher Kung Grant Program
Application Instructions & Information
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Applicant Eligibility Criteria
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All currently enrolled graduate students who are attending an accredited institution, who are
in good academic standing, and who seek internships addressing the legal needs of LGBT
individuals or of persons living with HIV/AIDS. QL AW will give preference to applicants who:
o Have a demonstrated commitment to advancing LGBT rights and/or the rights of
persons living with HIV/AIDS and
o Are Washington State graduate students, graduate students working on projects
within Washington State, or graduate students who have a demonstrated interest in
working in Washington State after graduation.
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Grade point average and class rank are not considered in the selection process.
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No applicant will be discriminated against based upon sex, color, race, religion, national or
ethnic origin, marital status, language, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, age,
disability, or veteran status.
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Graduate students other than law students may apply, although all projects must relate to the
legal needs of LGBT individuals or of persons living with HIV/AIDS.
Sponsor Eligibility
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The sponsor must be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization or a government agency. Eligible
sponsors are not limited to groups that specifically benefit the LGBT community and/or
persons living with HIV/AIDS. Applicants are encouraged to develop targeted projects that
will address the needs of our community with any 501(c)(3) or government agency.
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The sponsor must have at least one person qualified and able to supervise the applicant, who
must commit to providing the applicant with ongoing supervision throughout the course of
the internship.
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The sponsor must submit a Sponsor Profile (attached) before the applicant will be considered
for selection.
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For sponsor ideas and contact information, see the Potential Sponsor List at www.q-law.org
under the “QLAW Foundation” and “Summer Grant Program” tabs. Applicants are not limited
to the potential sponsors listed.
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Application Materials
A completed application consists of six (6) parts:
1) Applicant Information Form (Form attached)
2) Project Statement
The Project Statement should be no more than five double-spaced pages and include the
following:
A. Project Description:
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The problem or issue that your project will address, including the target group, geographical
focus, and any direct benefits to Washington State residents.
Whether your proposal contemplates: (1) a new project that you designed, (2) a project
designed by or in progress by your sponsor, or (3) general ongoing work being done by the
sponsor.
The expected impact of your project and why you or your sponsor chose this type of project
as an approach to the problem.
B. Overall Project Objectives:
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Specific tasks your project will require and the final product or result you expect to achieve.
How your project fits in with the sponsor’s focus or mission.
C. Personal Statement:
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Why you want to complete the proposed project and what it means to you.
Your commitment to LGBT rights and/or the rights of persons living with HIV/AIDS.
How the project relates to your career goals.
D. Schedule:
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The number of full weeks you intend to work on the project, including the approximate start
and end dates for your proposed project. Preference will be given to projects that are carried
out over the course of 10 weeks at 40 hours per week.
Whether the project will involve the continuation of an existing program and whether the
program will continue after your work with the sponsor ends.
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E. Other Funding:
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If you are applying for other funding, list other grants applied for and their status (e.g.,
granted or pending).
If you are applying for other funding, list the dates by which you expect to receive notice of
the award(s) and an email address or telephone number for the grant organization.
If you will be paid by an organization, please indicate any salary or stipend.
If you will be receiving work study funds or other sources of income, please indicate the
approximate amount expected.
If none of the above apply, indicate that you will not be receiving other income or funding for
your project.
**IMPORTANT NOTE**
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Each applicant must provide updated information regarding other project funding sources and
other sources of income, whether or not related to the project (including paid work to be
completed during part of the term).
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If you receive any additional sources of income after your application is submitted, you are
obligated to inform the QLAW Foundation promptly with this updated information
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A QLAW representative will contact you to confirm that you have not received additional funding
before any grant is awarded.
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Please carefully review the Terms and Conditions regarding funding limitations.
3) Sponsor Profile (Form attached)
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Have your sponsor fill out the attached Sponsor Profile. Ensure that your sponsor does not
refer to you by name on the Sponsor Profile.
4) Reference List
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List two (2) references who would be willing to be contacted. Include telephone numbers
and email addresses.
5) Certification of Law School Enrollment (Form Attached)
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Have the appropriate official at your law school fill out the attached Certification.
6) Current Resume
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Grant Terms and Conditions
A. Funding
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The QLAW Foundation Grant Program will fund students up to $500/week for ten weeks,
based on a 40-hour work week, for a maximum award of $5,000. Applicants proposing to
work less than full time will be considered, but the amount of the grant will be proportionally
reduced.
Applicants are encouraged to seek funding from other sources, including work study and other
grants, and a QLAW Foundation Grant may be used to supplement other income provided that
the total funding received for a internship does not exceed $5,000. Any partial salary or
income the applicant receives from the sponsor, from other grants, or from other sources
(except educational scholarships and tuition reimbursements specified below) will be
subtracted from the maximum award of $5,000.
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Grant amounts will not be reduced based on educational scholarships or tuition
reimbursements.
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QLAW Foundation Grants may not be used for lobbying activities under any circumstances.
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The number of grants the QLAW Foundation awards each year is discretionary, although it
desires to award as many grants as possible. The QLaw Foundation may, in its discretion,
award funding during the academic year.
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The QLAW Foundation Grant Program reserves the right to modify or amend these Terms and
Conditions prior to actual distribution of the Grant funds.
B. Sponsor Acceptance Letter
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Applicants do not need to have a firm offer from a sponsor at the time the application is due.
A firm offer will be required before the QLAW Grant is awarded.
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Once a grant is awarded, the recipient’s sponsor must submit an Acceptance Letter to
Nicholas Oakley, Grant Coordinator, at noakley@ccyj.org
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The Acceptance Letter must confirm (a) that the applicant has accepted its offer of
employment, (b) the number of weeks and the number of hours per week that the applicant
will work, (c) the name of the applicant’s supervisor, (d) that the sponsor organization will
provide substantive, supervised experience for the applicant, and (e) that grant funds will not
be used for the sponsor’s overhead expenses.
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Grantees are required to fill out an Evaluation Form at the end of the internship describing the
quality of the opportunity and supervision the sponsor provided.
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In Memory of Sher Kung
Sher Kung served on board of directors of both the QLaw Foundation and the QLaw Association from
2011-2013. She was a leader on both boards, but her desire to help underserved communities
reached beyond a single issue area and, sadly, beyond the time she was allotted on this earth.
Sher was killed on August 29, 2014, when she was struck by a vehicle while cycling to her job as an
attorney at Perkins Coie. She is survived by her beloved partner Christine Sanders, also a QLaw leader,
and their beautiful daughter Bryn.
In her mere 31 years of life, Sher built a rich legacy as a community leader and attorney. A graduate of
Brown University and U.C. Hastings College of Law, she made an enormous difference in the lives of so
many people through her legal work, her community activities, and her warmth and generosity.
Sher served as counsel in the ground-breaking case of Witt v. U.S. Dep’t of Air Force, in which a federal
court struck down the discharge of Major Margaret Witt under the so-called “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
policy. She devoted a significant portion of her legal practice to pro bono work, including advocacy on
behalf of domestic abuse survivors at the Eastside Legal Assistance Program.
Sher also made a difference through her incredible openness and generosity of spirit. She was a great
friend to many, and always sought to build community and connections between people – both new
friends and old.
In honor of Sher and her great contributions to Washington’s LGBT community and to so many
people, the QLaw Foundation has named its Grant Program in her memory.
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QLAW Foundation Sher Kung Grant Program
APPLICATION CHECKLIST
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Electronic copies of completed applications must be received on or before: 10:00 p.m. PST on April
12, 2015. To be complete, your application must include all of the following:
□
Applicant Information Form
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Applicant Project Statement
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Sponsor Profile
□
List of References
□
Certification of Law School Enrollment
□
Resume
E-mail completed applications in PDF format by 10:00 pm PST on April 12, 2015, to:
Nicholas Oakley, Grant Coordinator
noakley@ccyj.org
To promote objectivity in the selection process, the Grant Coordinator will not be on the selection
committee and all applicant and sponsor contacts with the Coordinator will remain in confidence.
Selection Timeline
Mid April 2015 – Selection Committee conducts applicant interviews.
Late April 2015 – Final selection of grant recipient(s).
If you have any questions or comments regarding the application or selection process for the grant,
please contact the Grant Coordinator. The Grant Coordinator will be available to assist you and your
potential sponsor with the application process.
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QLAW Foundation Sher Kung Grant Program
APPLICANT INFORMATION FORM
______________________________________________
To ensure objectivity, this form will be separated from your application materials until the Selection
Committee conducts applicant interviews.
Name: ______________________________
Applicant Contact Information
Address: ______________________________________________________________________
Telephone Number(s): ___________________________________________________________
Email: _______________________________________________________________________
Graduate School Information
School: ____________________________________________________________________
Current Year in School: __________
Expected Graduation Date: __________
Sponsor Information
Proposed Sponsor Organization: __________________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________________________
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QLAW Foundation Sher Kung Grant Program
SPONSOR PROFILE FORM
______________________________________________
Dear Sponsor:
Thank you for your interest in the QLAW Foundation Sher Kung Grant.
The GLBT Bar Association of Washington Foundation (“QLAW Foundation”) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit
organization dedicated to serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community and
people living with HIV/AIDS.
The Sher Kung Grant funds innovative public interest projects that promote the legal rights of the
LGBT community and people living with HIV/AIDS. The award consists of a maximum of $5000 for 10
full-time, 40-hour weeks.
The goal of the QLAW Foundation grant program is to ensure that unmet legal needs are recognized
and prioritized and that the next generation of advocates for LGBT rights develops the critical skills
necessary for public interest careers.
***Please complete this Sponsor Profile and return it to the Applicant
so that he/she can meet the April 12, 2015 application deadline***
1. SPONSOR INFORMATION
Organization Name: ______________________________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________________________________
Telephone & Fax Numbers: ________________________________________________________
Email: ______________________________________
This organization is –
□ An existing 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization
□ A government agency
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SPONSOR PROFILE FORM (cont.)
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2. SUPERVISION
Please identify the person(s) at your organization who will supervise the QLAW Foundation Sher Kung
Grant Program applicant throughout the internship:
Name of supervising person(s): _________________________________
Contact information for supervising person (s): ___________________________________
3. SPONSOR STATEMENT
Please briefly describe your organization’s work and/or mission:
Please briefly describe how your organization seeks to promote the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual,
or transgender community and/or people living with HIV/AIDS:
4. FINANCIAL COMMITMENT
Please indicate what financial commitment, if any, the organization will make to support the
applicant.
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SPONSOR PROFILE FORM (cont.)
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5. OTHER COMMITMENT
Please indicate your organization’s willingness to comply with the following provisions by initialing
each item:
____ This organization agrees to provide substantive work for the applicant.
____ This organization agrees to supervise the applicant throughout the
internship.
____ This organization agrees that the applicant will not be involved in political
campaigning or lobbying activities.
____ With respect to employment practices, this organization does not discriminate on
the basis of sex, color, race, religion, national or ethnic origin, marital status,
sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, age, disability, or veteran status.
Name of person completing this form: ______________________________
Signature: ________________________
Title:
_________________________
Date:
__________________________
***Please complete this Sponsor Profile and return it to the Applicant before April 12, 2015***
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QLAW Foundation Sher Kung Grant Program
CERTIFICATE FROM GRADUATE SCHOOL
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I, _____________________________________________ (name of school official),
with the title of ________________________________________________ at the accredited school of
________________________________________________________________________ certify that
___________________________________________ (name of student applicant) studies
______________ at said school, is in good standing, and has not been subject to academic probation
or dismissal. I certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Washington that the
foregoing information is complete, true, and correct.
Dated this ___ day of _______________, 20__, in the city and state of
______________________.
____________________________________________
(signature of school official)
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