On June 27, 2007, AASRA is evolving the organization to a new model that is grounded in simplicity of operations, procedures, and re-enforcing the organization's charter. AASRA will transition from a direct services model to a Grant Services agency. AASRA will use a clearly defined open application process and interview that is justified on a need-basis, to welcome and qualify any South Asian woman from the Boston area to be a candidate for the AASRA South Asian Women's Development Fund award. AASRA will use a clearly defined open application process and interview, to welcome and qualify any South Asian woman from the Boston area to be a candidate for the AASRA South Asian Women's Development Fund award. Our overarching AASRA mission is to give the selected South Asian women, access to resources to turn their lives around economically, for overall life quality improvement.

AASRA will launch the new AASRA South Asian Women's Development Fund program with all details on application and award processes, at a celebratory event embracing the South Asian community on June 27, 2007. Click here to see the Fund Launch Invitation (PDF).

In 2007 and 2008, as phase one of the AASRA South Asian Women's Development Fund, fiscal support to grant winners will be focused on, and limited to, educational advancement, skills training, and certification. Salient points of the AASRA South Asian Women's Development Fund for 2007-2008, are as follows:

• Applicants will submit grant funding requests for identified training programs. These professional certification/educational programs will not exceed 1 to 2 years in duration. Examples include Certified Nursing Assistant, Business Diploma, PC training, Technical Schools, Beauty Services License, etc.
• Application process will be simple, and will include an application form, a brief interview, and supporting documentation, e.g. acceptance to programs, letters of recommendation, etc.
• Fund awards will be individual, and needs-based. Pre-defined award amounts for 2007-2008 are $500, $1000, $1500 per year per award recipient. Maximum individual grant amounts will be limited to $2000 per year.
• The 2007-2008 AASRA Fund will award funds to a maximum of 5 grant applicants, with a total award recipient payout of $10,000 per year.
• The Fund grant approval and deciding body is the AASRA Fund Grant Approvals Committee which will include South Asian community leaders, and members of the AASRA Board.

To download the Development Fund Application Form in PDF format, right-click here, select "Save target as..." (for IE users) or "Save link as..." (for Firefox users) and select a location on your computer to save the application form.