The evaluation of applications for assistance from the Denise Abboud Fund will focus on the central purpose of the Fund, which is to further the education and ongoing professional development of those who work in or serve rural or poorer Georgia communities that would otherwise not be able to obtain such opportunities.
The group of applications received for grant assistance to attend a particular GPA conference or CPI session will be evaluated and grants will be awarded on the basis of 1) comparable statistical rankings for the county or the county in which the applicant’s community is located, and 2) the applicant’s commitment to planning and the benefit of the assistance to the applicant and their community.
Statistics relevant to the evaluation include:
- The proportion of the workforce employed in “farming, fishing or forestry.”
- Farm earnings as a percent of total earnings.
- Median household personal income.
- Per capita personal income.
- Such other credible, statistical data that would compare the relative “rural or poorer” status of each community to the other applications in the group.
The evaluation of commitment and the potential benefits to the applicant and their community will be based solely on the information provided on the application form.