ASF is an independent NFP organisation and is not tied to any educational or training institution.

Launched in 2008, ASF offered 60 places in education and training programs as it tested its business model and processes, organised its national network of scholarship assessment committees and expanded its scholarship offerings. By year end ASF had offered scholarships at a running value exceeding $400,000 a year, with an initial emphasis on financial management of NFPs.

This success encouraged the Board to embark on the next stage of its planned strategy, broadening the offerings to other management disciplines.

In 2009 ASF offered over 100 places and scholarships at a market value of $450,000. It also expanded its education partnerships to 10, including six major universities.

This offering more than doubled in 2010 to over 200 places and scholarships valued at over $1million. ASF’s Education Partners had grown to 16, including eight universities throughout Australia. Over 120,000 NFP directors and staff now receive email alerts and newsletters about regular ASF offerings through the year.  

Our aim over the next 2 years is to scale ASF up without increasing costs significantly.

Following are ASF's key strategic objectives for 2011 - 2013:  

1.  Scholarship Offerings

• Increase scholarship offerings to over 300 by end of 2011 with a value of $1,500,000
• Expand education partnerships to greater than 25,including 12 universities
• Broaden scholarships into at least 5 new disciplines.

2.  Funding

• Secure $300,000 additional growth funding per year over 3 years to ensure sustainability.

3.  Research  

• determine the training and education needs of the not-for-profit sector, and

• determine the long term impact of scholarships on the not-for-profit sector.

4. Operations / Governance 

• new website scholarships resource centre database;
• implementation of CRM (customer relationship management) and automated application processing platform;

• restructure Council and Advisory Panel to reflect a more diversified nationally represented board, and

5.  Increase ASF brand awareness.