The Joseph Fund

Mission: Planting Seeds of Christian Leadership in our communities by Helping financially-disadvantaged Christian children gain education in a Christian environment.

History: During the 2008/2009 financial recession, Bruce Bown watched how a family with two boys at his son’s school had to make the heart-wrenching decision on which child they could afford to keep in the Christian school and which child they must choose to send to their public school system.  They were in a very difficult and trouble-filled public school district, and the effect on the family was very profound.  At the time, unable to provide financial assistance, Mr. Bown made a vow that should he be blessed financially, he would establish a fund to help financially disadvantaged Christian families educate their children in a Christian school and its faith-filled environment.  After a financially-blessed season, Mr. Bown established The Joseph Fund in 2014 with the partnership of the Community Foundation of Acadiana and two motivated and energetic board members, Pat Mouton and Jan Greer.

Name Origin: The fund is named after Joseph in the Old Testament – the son of Jacob. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers at a young age and subsequently wrongfully thrown into prison in Egypt. Throughout these trying early years, young Joseph remained strong in his faith, and God lifted him up to a position of authority – second only to pharaoh – whereby he was able to provide for not only the salvation Egypt, but that of his entire family – even the brothers who had wronged him.  The Joseph Fund is aimed at helping young Christian children gain an education and leadership training so that they can use their abilities to be lifted up in their communities and to continue to help others and demonstrate a strong Christian faith and example.

Purpose: As we look about in our society today, it is apparent that Christian values are under-represented.  The Joseph Fund, through its outreach and scholarships, will maintain financially at-risk children in a Christian environment. This provides for education in a nurturing Christian school where these young people are in a much better position to keep and strengthen their faith, rather than be in the public education system that is devoid of faith ideals and values. It is the intention of the board that these children become leaders in their communities.  It is the desire of the board that their faith witness will encourage others to explore Christianity and, hopefully become Christians. As strong faith leadership is needed throughout the societal spectrum regardless of economic levels, these children and their families will become positive examples to others and leaders in their own right.

Scholarship Criteria (4th grade through 12th): 

Faith: 

• Initial:  Child and family must be participating members of a Christian church. 

• Initial:  Their Pastor must provide a letter describing the child’s involvement in his/her church.  This letter should also detail how the child has demonstrated a commitment to his/her Christian faith.

• Initial:  Child must provide essay on what their Christian faith means to them in their life.

• Renewal:  Child must be a participating member of a Christian church.

• Renewal:  Letter from Pastor describing child’s participation in church and demonstration of faith.

Academics: 

• Initial:  Child must have at least a 3.0 grade point average (4.0=A scale) if coming from a public school.  Child must have at least a 2.5 grade point average if in a private school.  Must provide school transcripts.

• Renewal:  Child coming over from public school must maintain a 2.0 grade point average their first year, and then maintain a 2.5 grade point average thereafter to remain eligible for assistance.  Child coming into program from a private school must have and maintain a 2.5 grade point average.

Family: 

• Initial:  Parent(s) must provide a letter explaining how they value education and how they plan to support their child’s education by their participation with the school.  School counselor must provide letter describing parent’s level of support and participation in child’s education.

• Renewal:  School administrator and/or counselor to provide letter describing participation level of family in support of child.

Financial: 

• Initial:  Family would need to provide information on application showing the need for financial assistance.  

•  Renewal:  Family will provide financial information annually to verify lack of financial capacity to fund education.

Scholarship Levels: $$ Varies annually/child to go for tuition.

The Joseph Fund will combine resources with other scholarship sources at participating schools and churches to achieve its mission.

School Partners: Private, Christian schools that have nurturing Christian environments that teach Christian faith and values as part of core curriculum, and that have reasonable tuition requirements for students.