NHSBBQA Education Foundation - SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE

BBQ Education Foundation

SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE

Ensuring Fair, Objective, and Education-Focused Scholarship Decisions

The Scholarship Committee of the NHSBBQA Education Foundation is responsible for the review, evaluation, and recommendation of scholarship and educational award recipients.

The Committee plays a critical role in ensuring that all scholarships are awarded in a manner that is fair, transparent, nondiscriminatory, and compliant with IRS regulations, while keeping students and educational impact at the center of every decision.

Role of the Scholarship Committee

The Scholarship Committee is charged with:

• Reviewing scholarship applications in accordance with established criteria

• Applying objective scoring rubrics approved by the Board of Directors

• Recommending scholarship and educational award recipients

• Ensuring scholarships align with the Foundation’s charitable and educational mission

• Protecting the integrity and fairness of the selection process

The Committee operates under the oversight of the Foundation’s Board of Directors.

Committee Composition

The Scholarship Committee is composed of individuals with experience in:

• Education and Career & Technical Education (CTE)

• Workforce development and industry

• Nonprofit governance or community leadership

Committee members may include educators, industry professionals, and community representatives. A majority of committee members are independent and may not be employees or officers of the National High School BBQ Association® (NHSBBQA®).

Selection Standards & Criteria

All scholarship and educational award decisions are based on objective, nondiscriminatory criteria, which may include:

• Educational effort and achievement

• Demonstrated skill development and craftsmanship

• Leadership, character, and responsibility

• Community or school involvement

• Financial need (when applicable)

Participation in competitions or programs does not guarantee scholarship selection and is not required unless specified for a particular scholarship.

Fairness & Conflict of Interest

To ensure integrity and public trust:

• Committee members must disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest

• Members with a conflict related to an applicant, school, or program must recuse themselves from discussion and voting

• All deliberations and decisions are documented in accordance with nonprofit best practices

These safeguards help ensure that every applicant is evaluated fairly and consistently.

Oversight & Accountability

The Scholarship Committee:

• Operates under a written Scholarship Committee Charter

• Works in coordination with the Board of Directors

• Follows established policies governing award acceptance, disbursement, and appeals

Final approval of scholarships and awards rests with the Board of Directors.

Relationship to NHSBBQA®

The NHSBBQA Education Foundation is a separate legal entity from the National High School BBQ Association® (NHSBBQA®).

While NHSBBQA® supports educational programming and student engagement, all scholarships and educational awards are administered solely by the Foundation through its Scholarship Committee and Board of Directors.

Scholarship decisions are independent of competition participation, placement, or results.

Committed to Equity. Guided by Integrity. Focused on Students.

The Scholarship Committee exists to ensure that every scholarship awarded by the NHSBBQA Education Foundation advances education, opportunity, and student success.

Interested in Serving on the Scholarship Committee?

The Foundation welcomes inquiries from educators, industry professionals, and community leaders who are committed to fair access to education and nonprofit stewardship.

Contact the NHSBBQA Education Foundation

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NHSBBQA Education Foundation
is the public-facing name of the BBQ Education Foundation,
a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization EIN - 41-2464833 dedicated to advancing
youth culinary education, live-fire learning, and career pathways
through the National High School BBQ Association® ecosystem.

Legal Notice
The NHSBBQA BBQ Education Foundation is a separate legal entity from the National High School BBQ Association® (NHSBBQA®).
Donations made on this page support the Foundation’s charitable mission and are not payments to NHSBBQA®.