The John Bissell Scholars Fund (JBSF) was established in 2000 in memory of John Bissell, the visionary founder of Fabindia and one of the Fabindia School founders. Its purpose is to support scholarships for female students at The Fabindia School in Bali, Rajasthan. Currently JBSF donors support about 100 girls at an annual cost of US$250 per student. JBSF has also raised money for an endowment to ensure the longevity and continued expansion of the school, with an emphasis on strong female enrollment. Girls comprise 35% of the student body and the current goal is to add US$100,000 to the endowment so that the school can provide financial aid for a larger number of girls. In addition, generous supporters have helped to fund new buildings, a new computer center inaugurated in November 2007 and a new science lab inaugurated in December 2005. JBSF is grateful to the continued support of the individual donors as well as The Rohatyn Group for providing financial support during the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 academic years.
Founding Members
Two individuals, Marie Prentice and Charley Todd, launched the John Bissell Scholars Fund in 2000 with the support of Bissell friends and family. After visiting the school many times and seeing the need to support female enrollment, Marie and Charley felt that a girls' scholarship fund would be a wonderful way to honor John who passed away in March 1998.
Steering Committee
A small group of long term supporters and advocates for the school form the JBSF Steering Committee. These individuals reflect the dedication and commitment to the school's mission and support for girls' education.
Steering Committee members: Cely Arndt, Sally Bowles, Dick Celeste & Jacqueline Lundquist, Marty Chen, Aylette Jenness, Evie Lovett, Liz Moynihan, Phyllis Nauts & Hendon Chubb, Barbara Powell, Tim & Marie Prentice, Hector & Erica Prud’homme, John & Julia Scott, Kathy Sreedhar, Charley Todd and Blaikie & Bob Worth.
Fiscal Sponsor
In order to maintain 501(3)c non-profit tax status in the USA and provide tax deductible receipts to donors, the Unitarian Universalist Holdeen India Program is the official fiscal agent.
Unitarian Universalist
Association
Unitarian Universalist Holdeen India Program
Kathy Sreedhar, Director
666 11th Street, NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 393-2255 x16
(fax) (202) 393-5494
holdeen@aol.com
www.uua.org/holdeen.india
Contact Information
Katherine Allen is the JBSF Coordinator and can be reached at -
k.allen@fabindia.com,
John Bissell Scholars Fund,
PO Box 1,
Collinsville, CT 06022 USA
Phone/fax: 860-693-1123
Types of Donations to the John Bissell Scholars Fund:
Annual Scholarships
US$250 will support one girl for the academic year. US$500 will support 2 girls, and so on. A gift of any amount will help support the scholarship program.
Permanent Scholarships
A gift of US$5,000 will endow a permanent annual scholarship for one girl.
Named Scholarships
You can sponsor a student for their entire 12 year education, primary through high school, in memory of or in honor of someone whom you specify through our “Named Scholarship” program. A one-time gift of US$2,500 or an on-going gift of US$250/year for 12 years will provide a complete education for a child in honor of someone you name.
How to Donate:
Contribute by Mail
Please make checks payable to: "UU Holdeen India Program" and write “Bissell Fund - Fabindia School” in your check memo. Mail your check to: John Bissell Scholars Fund, PO Box 1, Collinsville, CT 06022 USA.
Contribute Securities
If you wish to make a gift of securities, please email Katherine Allen at k.allen@fabindia.com or call 860-693-1123 and she will send you instructions for transferring the securities.
Tax-deductible donations
For all US tax payers who make a charitable donation to the John Bissell Scholars Fund, you will receive an official receipt from the UU Holdeen India Program for your tax deductible gift. Your monetary donation is tax-deductible to the extent of the law and reflects the fact that no tangible benefits, goods or services were provided by the UU Holdeen India Program or the John Bissell Scholars Fund in consideration for the contribution.
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