Chris Walker Education Fund Extends Deadline for Grant Requests to Support Education Initiatives

February 1, 2024 – The Chris Walker Education Fund Board of Trustees remains dedicated to its annual mission of honoring the late NEFA Member and Member of NEFA’s Board of Directors, Chris Walker. Embracing Chris's passion for education and the concept of a "lifetime of learning," the Board is actively raising funds and continues to welcome grant applications until the extended deadline of February 29, 2024. The fund will award a total of $30,000 in grants by the end of March 2024. Applicants, including individuals, associations, foundations, and institutions, still have time to apply for grants, with individual grants of up to $1,500 or an amount equivalent to the cost of qualified industry-related education.

The Chris Walker Education Fund provides funds for projects or needs that contribute to industry education opportunities for leasing professionals. Eligible uses include grants for industry-related education, certifications (such as the Certified Lease and Finance Professionals (CLFP) designation), educational initiatives of the NEFA, or other endeavors related to the equipment finance industry. Since its establishment in 2011, the fund has granted over $100,000 in educational support. All grant applications must be submitted online through the following link: https://www.nefassociation.org/about-us/chris-walker-education-fund/.

In recent years, The Chris Walker Education Fund has disbursed thousands of dollars in grants to individuals and organizations, including the Certified Lease and Finance Professionals Foundation, Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation, and National Equipment Finance Association. These organizations have utilized the funds for various educational purposes.

About the fund Education held a special place in Chris Walker's heart, as evident from his role as a NEFA Member and Member of NEFA's Board of Directors. Following Chris's passing in 2011, NEFA Members and industry professionals sought a way to honor his legacy and continued service to the industry through donations. This led to the creation of the Chris Walker Education Fund within NEFA. The Board of Trustees, comprised of industry leaders volunteering their time and expertise, remains committed to promoting the fund's mission. For more information on the Chris Walker Education Fund, visit https://www.nefassociation.org/page/Chris_Walker_Education_Fund.