Northeastern Woodworkers Association

The Fiske Fund

The Fiske Fund can defray part or all of your expenses for wood working instruction for approved courses. You can apply for a grant using an interactive form by clicking the application button.

Grant Amounts

Fiske Fund grants are available to individuals for up to 50% of approved expenditures for tuition, materials, food and lodging, but no more than $1000.00 per year or $ 2000.00 for a period of five consecutive years. Multiple grants are available to individuals, but the amounts awarded may not exceed these amounts and stipulations.

Award monies are disbursed upon submission to the Fund of receipts for actual expenses of budgeted amounts approved in the original grant award.

Upon request, up to 50% of approved budgeted costs may be available with the submission of receipts to the Fund for expenditures for tuition and materials. The balance of the grant will be dispersed upon the Fund’s receipt of proof of course completion and receipts for other approved expenses.

Eligibility

Fiske Fund Grants are available to all NWA members and non- members alike. However, at this time, NWA sponsored courses are ineligible for funding.

Terms and conditions

Fiske Grants are awarded subject to the following terms and conditions:

1. Fiske Fund grants are awarded for courses provided by woodworking schools, programs, or instructors which promote the acquisition of woodworking skills and knowledge.
2. An application for a grant must be submitted to the Fund before the course begins.
3. A grant application is required for each course.
4. Grants are awarded solely at the discretion of the Fiske Fund and no other rules apply.
5. The availability of funding for any approved grant request is limited to the availability of funds designated by the Fund for funding grants.

How to Contact the Fund for Requests and Information

Questions and requests should be directed to the Chair of the Fiske Fund. The current Chair is: Brian Walsh. Call, write or e-mail him 22 Wisconsin Ave, Delmar NY 12054, Tel 518-439-0122, e-mail b_p_walsh@hotmail.com.

Information About Woodworking courses

Thanks to the internet, there is a wealth of information available to those seeking out woodworking schools, courses and instructors. A simple Google search of woodworking schools, or woodworking courses gives you a vast array of information about schools and their locations. Most now have their own web sites that provide detailed information about course availability, etc.

Woodworking publications are also a great source of information about woodworking course availability. A trip to the local library can yield a number of leads. Another valuable source of information is your fellow members of the NWA. Ask around, when you are at a NWA function, most members know of or have heard of places and courses that you can check out.

Origins of the Fiske Fund

The Fiske Fund is named in honor of Milan Fiske, one of the eight founding members of the Northeast Woodworking Association (NWA). Milan donated his woodworking and lumber collection to the NWA, which used the money raised from the sale of the collection to establish the Fiske Fund for the express purpose "of providing individual grants for the pursuit of woodworking programs which enhance and advance the understanding and application of woodworking techniques and principle for amateur and professional applications".

Over the years, the Fund has grown thanks to the many people who have contributed their time, effort and energy to make it the success that it has become. That success is also, in no small part, due to the generosity of the Fund’s many benefactors who have made generous monetary contributions as well as donations of wood, tools, and hand crafted pieces which have been sold at auction or by raffle, the proceeds of which replenish the Fund. The Fund’s status as a non-profit organization makes any donations to it tax deductible. Members and non-members alike are encouraged to consider giving to the Fund for the furtherance of woodworking craftsmanship.

The Annual Fiske Fund Wood and Tool Auction

Special mention should be made of the Fiske Fund Wood and Tool Auction. The auction is by far the most significant source of income for the Fund. The auction is held in mid September at the Shaker Barn located on the grounds of the Waterveliet Shaker Heritage Site near the Albany Airport. Wood, tools and machines donated by friends and members of the NWA are auctioned off during the one day event. Consignments are accepted as are donations. The proceeds of the auction go directly to the Fund and are used to provide the Fiske Fund grants.