National Main Street Now Conference Scholarships
Through advocacy, education, and marketing, the New Mexico Coalition of MainStreet Communities (NMCMSC) provides support for local MainStreet organizations through program and policy development and lobbying for resources. To encourage continued growth and development of downtown revitalization programs throughout the state, NMCMSC will award TWO MainStreet professionals with a travel scholarship to attend the National Main Street Now Conference. To be eligible for the scholarship an individual must be an Executive Director or paid staff member of a New Mexico Accredited or Affiliated MainStreet Program. The scholarship is to be used solely for conference airfare and lodging costs associated with the trip and will be paid in advance in the amount of $1000. Payment of any other expenses is the responsibility of the scholarship recipient. The scholarship is made available by funds raised from the Silent Auction during the New Mexico MainStreet biannual conferences.
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION TERMS
The recipient must submit travel and lodging receipts to NMCMSC within one month of the conclusion of the National Main Street Now Conference.
The scholarship covers ONLY travel expenses to and from the conference and up to three nights lodging. Additional travel expenses must be borne by the recipient. Please note that meal costs, expenses related to travel to and from the airport, parking, and conference add-ons such as tours, are NOT eligible scholarship expenses; the recipient is responsible for these costs, along with any other costs not outlined in items above.
Eligible individuals interested in applying for the National Main Street Now Conference Scholarship must complete the application form in its entirety. The application can be accessed here: NMCMSC Main Street Now Conference Scholarship Application
Applications for the Scholarship must be received electronically by NMCMSC no later than February 17, 2025. NMCMSC will begin reviewing applications on February 22, 2025. Applicants should confirm receipt by NMCMSC of their application.
If the scholarship recipient fails to attend the Main Street Now Conference, the recipient will return the full scholarship amount of $1,000 to the New Mexico Coalition of MainStreet Communities by June 7, 2025.
Preference will be given to those who have never attended a Main Street Now America Conference, and organizations that have lower operating budgets.
Only one applicant per New Mexico MainStreet Community.
SCHOLARSHIP AWARD PROCEDURES
Applications will be reviewed by the NMCMSC Scholarship Committee. Notification of the scholarship award will be made by email by Feb 28, 2025.
Consideration of scholarship is contingent upon:
Submission of a completed application with all supplementary materials by deadline;
Commitment to attend the National Main Street Now Conference, with the understanding that NMCMSC will not be responsible for reimbursement of any costs, including cancellation fees, in the event the recipient is unable to attend the conference.
Award will be made directly to the selected MainStreet Community. No scholarship will be paid directly to an individual.
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Recipient must be Executive Director, paid staff member, or board member of a New Mexico Accredited or Affiliated MainStreet Program
Grantee Must agree to provide NMCMSC with a brief written summary of their conference experience. NMCMSC may choose to use all or a portion of the written overview to market the scholarship program in future years.
The scholarship amount may not exceed $1000. Eligible expenses include airfare and lodging for up to three nights.
The recipient is responsible for registering for the conference and making all travel and lodging arrangements; and upon return, must submit all applicable receipts to the New Mexico Coalition of MainStreet Communities.
NMCMSC Board Officers are ineligible to apply for this scholarship.
QUESTIONS?
Questions about the Scholarship Program should be directed to
Jacquelyn Connolly at jacquelyn@losalamos.org.