How the ICF Foundation Scholarships are Working to Impact Lives Around the Globe

Accelerating and amplifying social system change through coaching is the mission and heart of the ICF Foundation. Through the collective power of ICF chapters, ICF members, and ICF credential-holders, we have the power to truly move the world forward. But how do we continue that work? How do we ensure that we can continue bringing forward-thinking social change-makers from underrepresented communities, into the coaching profession?

These are the questions that the ICF Foundation sought to answer in 2022, when the ICF Foundation Scholarship came to life. Through partnerships with family organizations across the One ICF ecosystem, these scholarships offered more than just education, they also provided a clear path towards becoming an ICF-credentialed coach.

• ICF Coaching Education partnered to help identify and engage Coaching Education Providers with ICF-accredited programs. These generous providers then donated spots in their program for the scholarships.
• ICF Professional Coaches stepped in to offer a complimentary one-year ICF Membership for the recipients.
• ICF Credentials and Standards joined to waive the ACC application fee for recipients, upon completing their coaching education.

Additionally, ICF-accredited coaching education programs, referred to as our providers, annually donate spots in their programs for our recipients. To see the full list of participating providers, visit our scholarship page.

The impact of the scholarship program continues to rapidly grow. With the combined 2023 and 2024 cohorts, we have been able to provide 30 scholarships to recipients located in 11 different countries, with 10 providers.

Two of these recipients have shared how this opportunity benefitted them in their journey towards becoming a professional coach:

“Receiving the ICF Foundation Scholarship benefited me by providing the opportunity to start my own coaching business, access valuable guidance and mentorship, enhance my skills and knowledge, expand my network, and gain increased self-confidence.”

Franklin Kamnang Ngansop, 2023 ICF Foundation Scholarship Recipient (Cameroon).

“Receiving this scholarship has profoundly impacted me in numerous ways. It has not only provided me with the essential foundation of coaching but has also broadened my perspective on its transformative power… through this scholarship, I’ve come to understand coaching as a tool for self-awareness and personal growth, enabling individuals to unlock their own potential.”

Ose S., 2024 ICF Foundation Scholarship Recipient (United States).

With your help, we can continue to offer these scholarships to underrepresented communities across the globe and continue to move the world forward. Join us in celebrating GivingTuesday on December 3rd, 2024, by visiting our GivingTuesday page. Ways to get involved include donating, joining the Chapter Challenge, and downloading our GivingTuesday Advocate Kit to get ICF Foundation GivingTuesday graphics to post on social media.