THE NASHVILLE FASHION FORWARD FUND

Award Application

The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee has an endowment to support the next generation of fashion industry professionals with ties to Middle Tennessee. With monies raised from Nashville Fashion Week, the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund has been established to generate income each year. This endowment income will fund financial awards that support a professional development opportunity for one or more individuals working in fashion-related industries. Examples of such individuals include (but are not limited to): clothing designers; clothes/pattern makers; store owners; models; stylists; hair and make-up artists; photographers. Award recipients are selected by a committee of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, based on demonstrated talent, experience, achievement and commitment, and capacity for future distinction in the fashion industry. Recipients can only receive a Nashville Fashion Forward Fund award once.

The Nashville Fashion Forward Fund Selection Committee will have sole authority over award decisions and administration. Selection will not discriminate on the grounds of race, color or national origin, sexual orientation, disability, age or gender. Foundersof Nashville Fashion Week will have no role in the vetting or selection of recipients.

Please see the “Frequently Asked Questions” for additional details about the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund. Should you have additional questions, please contact Amy Fair, Vice President of Donor Services, (615) 321-4939 or .

THE NASHVILLE FASHION FORWARD FUND

SUMMARY OF APPLICATION CRITERIA AND PROCESS:

  • Complete and submit the application no later than 4:30 p.m. by the stated deadline date listed on the websiteor otherwise promoted by Nashville Fashion Week(applications received after this time/date will not be considered);
  • be at least 21 years of age;
  • have ties to Middle Tennessee (i.e., live, work, educated or grew up in Middle Tennessee);
  • have at least two years of professional related experience before date of application submission with demonstrated commitment to a specific career
  • submit a 350-word biographical statement that provides specific and detailed information about your past experience as well as a summary of career goals and objectives;
  • provide a detailed description of how the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund’s financial award would impact and support your professional development and career goals (with specifics as outlined on the application form);
  • submit relevant material, appropriate to your fashion-related field of work (e.g. sketches, photographs, video, business plan);
  • provide 3-5 references from people familiar with your work and experience.

As noted, your application form and related material must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on the stated deadline date:

By Mail or In-Person:

The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee

Attn: Nashville Fashion Forward Fund

3833 Cleghorn Avenue, Suite 400

Nashville, TN 37215

By Email:

Subject: Nashville Fashion Forward Fund Award Application

Application received after this time/date will not be considered. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please note that The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee’s office hours are 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday. If you intend to mail your application, we recommend a mailing method that provides tracking and insurance of receipt.

The Nashville Fashion Forward Fund Selection Committee will review all material submitted by eligible applicants. The Nashville Fashion Forward Fund award recipient(s) will be notified no later than early January each year following the application deadline.

THE NASHVILLE FASHION FORWARD FUND

APPLICATION FORM

NAME:

OCCUPATION:

DATE OF BIRTH:

ADDRESS

TELEPHONE(S):

EMAIL:

______

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT (350 words)

Provide specific and detailed information about your past experience and a summary of your career goals and objectives. Include information about your ties to Middle Tennessee.

IMPACT OF A NASHVILLE FASHION FORWARD FUND AWARD

Describe how a financial award from the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund would impact and support your professional development and career goals. Please address the following specifics:

  • What professional development opportunity would you pursue with this award?
  • What would such an opportunity cost? (Please include information on the basis for your cost estimation.)
  • What would be the outcome of such an opportunity, and how would you measure its success on your professional growth?
  • Why is this professional development important to you and your career?

Since some professional development opportunities may include parameters relating to cost, selection or other criteria, please describe how you would utilize this award if you were not able to meet all the parameters of a particular opportunity.

DESCRIPTION OF MATERIALS SUBMITTED (350 words)

Provide a brief description and context for the materials you are submitting with your application.