About the Fund

About AACC Education Committee

The Give Hope Fund is a scholarship program created by the Arab American Community Center (AACC) to support Central Florida students who demonstrate academic potential and financial need.
Administered by the AACC Education Committee, the program helps students access college, graduate programs, and accredited vocational training across Florida.

Every application is reviewed through a transparent, rubric-based selection process that follows AACC’s strict Code of Ethics—ensuring fairness, confidentiality, and zero donor influence.
Through the generosity of community members, businesses, and sponsors, the Give Hope Fund provides one-year scholarships that can help cover tuition, fees, textbooks, and required academic materials.
Eligible students may renew support each year by maintaining strong academic performance and completing community service with AACC or an approved organization.
Together, we’re opening doors to education, opportunity, and a brighter future for students in our community.

AACC Mission

The Arab American Community Center (AACC) is dedicated to empowering, supporting, and uplifting individuals and families across Central Florida.
Our mission is to provide culturally responsive services, promote education, strengthen community well-being, and build bridges of understanding between Arab Americans and the broader community.
Through advocacy, outreach, and essential programs, AACC works to ensure every person has access to the resources, opportunities, and support they need to thrive.

AACC Goals

Promote Educational Opportunity
Strengthen Community Support Services
Preserve and Celebrate Arab Heritage
Empower Youth & Families
Build Bridges Across Communities
Uphold Integrity, Equity & Inclusion

Committee Structure & Oversight

The Give Hope Fund is administered by the AACC Education Committee, a volunteer group responsible for managing the scholarship program with fairness, transparency, and integrity.

Education Committee Structure

The committee consists of 5–7 members appointed by the AACC Board of Directors.
A Committee Chair is selected by the Board for a two-year term, with the option for one renewal.
Decisions, including scoring reviews and final award selections, are made by majority vote.
Members are trained on the scholarship rubric, data-security requirements, and the AACC Code of Ethics.

Roles & Responsibilities

The Education Committee oversees:

Reviewing applications and scoring them using the published rubric.
Conducting interviews for selected applicants.
Ensuring confidentiality, fairness, and ethical conduct.
Managing communication with applicants and counselors.
Maintaining secure handling of all documents and sensitive information.
Recommending annual updates to the scholarship process.

Oversight & Accountability

The Committee operates under the authority of the AACC Board, which:

Approves committee membership and chair appointments.
Reviews program compliance and adherence to policies.
Ensures financial stewardship and responsible use of donated funds.
May conduct oversight reviews or approve compliance audits if needed.

The Board does not participate in individual application scoring but ensures that the committee follows established policies, ethical standards, and selection procedures.

Ethical Standards

All members must follow the AACC Code of Ethics, which includes:

Confidentiality of applicant information.
Recusal from cases involving conflicts of interest.
Independence from donor influence.
Impartial, rubric-based evaluation of all applicants.

Funding Sources

The Give Hope Fund is made possible through the generosity and commitment of individuals, families, businesses, and community partners who believe in expanding educational opportunities for Central Florida students.

Individual Donors

Community members contribute through one-time or recurring gifts that directly support student scholarships. Every donation—large or small—helps remove financial barriers for deserving students.

Family Contributions

Families often give in honor or memory of loved ones, creating lasting educational legacies through named or memorial scholarships.

Corporate Sponsors

Local businesses, companies, and professional organizations support the fund through sponsorships, matching-gift programs, and contributions that strengthen community impact and help sustain annual awards.

Foundations & Community Partners

Partner organizations and charitable foundations may contribute through grants or sponsorships aligned with the mission of advancing education and supporting students in need.

Designated Scholarship Funds

Donors may also create dedicated scholarship streams or contribute to existing funds, helping expand the number of awards available each year.