Financial Assistance for First-Time
National Convention Attendees
The 2025 NFB National Convention takes place in New Orleans July 8-13, and it's an experience you don't want to miss!
Many of those who have attended our national NFB conventions are amazed at how meeting and interacting with over 3000 other blind and low vision convention attendees has positively changed their lives. They not only learn how the problems of vision loss can be overcome, but also experience the confidence that comes with solutions.
If you have never attended a convention, we offer two programs to assist you in attending the convention and getting the most from the experience.
- A) McDonald Fellowship organized by the Virginia affiliate (details below), and
- B) Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship run by the National Federation of the Blind
Please note that the essay questions and the deadlines for both the national program and our Virginia specific program are consistent to encourage you to apply for both. Applications and corresponding letters of recommendation are due no later than 11:59pm ET on April 15.
About the Fellowship
The McDonald Fellowship program was established in 1998 to assist those who have never attended an in-person convention of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB). Robert and Marian McDonald selflessly contributed to our Virginia affiliate to further the progress and better the lives of those who are blind or low-vision in Virginia. In their honor, we recognize the personal benefits that come to people who attend a national convention for the first time. In their memory, the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia (NFBV) continues their legacy of education and empowerment to Virginia's blind citizens.
We anticipate awarding fellowships to assist each recipient with costs of attending our 2025 NFB National Convention to be held in New Orleans, Louisiana, from July 8-13. We will link each of our Fellowship winners with mentors who will assist them in getting the most out of their national convention experience. McDonald Fellowship winners are expected to attend the entire NFB convention and also share their experiences by addressing our 2025 NFB of Virginia state convention attendees in Virginia Beach this Fall.
Please note: The national convention banquet ends late in the evening of Sunday, July 13 and fellowship winners are expected to attend the banquet so return travel must occur on Monday, July 14 or later.
This event will take place at the Marriott New Orleans Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana. Visit the national convention landing page for more information about this year's convention.
If you have additional questions, please contact President Tracy Soforenko.
About the Application Process
Your application must be submitted online no later than 11:59pm ET on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Our application form does not allow you to save your responses and come back so we recommend preparing your answers in advance and pasting the answers to the questions into the web form below. The web form does not support complex formatting such as bullet points and fonts so you should avoid this complex formatting.
Your online application materials should outline reasons why you should be considered for a Fellowship. The online application requests the following:
- A) Name, Address, phone and email contact information
- B) Chapter or other connection With the affiliate
- C) How you will benefit from the experience
- D) How you have participated with your chapter or the
affiliate in the past year - E) Any other pertinent details
In addition, you are required to contact your Chapter President or an affiliate Board Member for a letter of recommendation. Letters of recommendation are due by Tuesday, April 15, 2025.
Recommendation letters and questions about the Fellowship program should be addressed to:
Mary Durbin, Chairman, McDonald Fellowship Committee
757.472.2495.