The Chris Walker Education Fund board of trustees is continuing its annual mission in honoring late National Equipment Finance Association member and member of the NEFA’s board of directors, Chris Walker. The Chris Walker Education Fund focuses on an issue near and dear to Walker’s heart – education and the idea of a “lifetime of learning.” The board is now actively raising funds and accepting grant requests to honor Walker’s great service to the industry until the application deadline of Feb. 15, 2021. The fund will award a total of $16,000 in grants to be distributed by the end of February 2021. The grant application process is available to individuals as well as associations, foundations and institutions. Individual grants may be requested up to $1,500, or an amount equal to the cost of qualified industry-related education.

Funds available through the Chris Walker Education Fund may be used for any project or need that provides industry education opportunities for leasing professionals. This includes grants for industry-related education, certifications (such as the Certified Lease and Finance Professional designation), educational initiatives of the NEFA, or other educational initiatives related to the equipment finance industry. Since its founding in 2011, the Chris Walker Education Fund has now funded nearly $82,000 in educational grants. All grant requests must be submitted here.

When Walker passed away in 2011, many NEFA members and other industry professionals wanted some way they could make a donation to honor him and continue his great service to this industry. This resulted in the creation within NEFA of the Chris Walker Education Fund. The board of trustees is made up of industry leaders who donate their time and talents to promote the mission of the Chris Walker Education Fund.