1. Purpose

The ShelteringTree.Earth Creative Growth Scholarship Program exists to support the professional development of authors, illustrators, and creative coaches who contribute to ShelteringTree.Earth, LLC. The scholarship provides financial assistance for education, training, and professional opportunities that directly enhance the quality, visibility, and marketability of works published under ShelteringTree.Earth.

2. Funding Sources

The scholarship fund is sustained through the following designated revenue streams:

• Royalties from the late Mitchel Fidel, allocated to ShelteringTree.Earth for charitable and developmental use.
• Reciprocated royalties from authors, designated for the benefit of ShelteringTree.Earth creatives.
• A percentage of profits from ShelteringTree.Earth merchandise (e.g., t‑shirt sales), as determined annually.
• Any additional internal funds voluntarily allocated by ShelteringTree.Earth leadership.

All funds are held in a restricted internal account dedicated solely to scholarship awards and related administrative costs.

3. Eligible Applicants

Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

• Be a current ShelteringTree.Earth contracted author, illustrator, or creative coach.
• Be in good standing with all contractual obligations.
• Demonstrate how the requested opportunity will directly benefit their work with ShelteringTree.Earth.

ShelteringTree.Earth welcomes applications from creatives worldwide. All contracted authors, illustrators, and creative coaches—regardless of country of residence—are eligible to apply. International applicants may submit documentation, receipts, and proof of participation in their local currency. Awards may be disbursed via international payment platforms approved by ShelteringTree.Earth.

4. Eligible Uses of Funds

Scholarship awards may be used for:

• Tuition for writing, illustration, editing, or publishing courses
• Conference or workshop fees
• Award submission fees
• Professional coaching or mentorship
• Skill‑building classes or certifications relevant to book production
• Software or tools directly tied to creative output 

Funds may not be used for:

• Travel unrelated to the educational activity
• Personal expenses
• Equipment not directly tied to creative production
• Opportunities unrelated to ShelteringTree.Earth projects

5. Application Process

5.1 Submission

Applicants must submit a completed ShelteringTree.Earth Creative Growth Scholarship Application including:

• Applicant information
• Description of the opportunity
• Amount requested
• Benefit statement
• Proof of program cost (invoice, screenshot, or link)
• Signature affirming accuracy and compliance

Applications may be submitted electronically or in writing.

5.2 Deadlines

ShelteringTree.Earth may choose one of the following cycles:

• Rolling applications 
• Biannual review periods (December and July)

The chosen cycle will be published each year.

6. Review and Award Process

6.1 Review Committee

Applications will be evaluated by a three‑person committee consisting of:

• The CEO or designated representative
• One senior creative partner or advisor
• One additional reviewer selected annually (author, illustrator, coach, or external advisor)

Members of this review committee are not paid or compensated for their time.

6.2 Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• Relevance to ShelteringTree.Earth’s mission
• Direct benefit to the applicant’s contracted work
• Feasibility and clarity of the proposed opportunity
• Availability of funds
• Applicant’s standing and reliability

6.3 Award Amounts

Awards may range from $50 to $500 per cycle. Multiple award winners are possible depending on fund availability.

6.4 Notification

Applicants will receive written notification of approval or denial within 30 days of review.

All decisions are final.

7. Disbursement of Funds

Funds may be disbursed in one of the following ways:

• Direct payment to the educational provider
• Reimbursement to the applicant upon proof of payment
• Partial payment combined with reimbursement

Proof of enrollment, submission, or participation is required for reimbursement.

8. Recipient Obligations

Recipients agree to:

• Submit proof of completion or participation
• Provide a brief statement (2–3 sentences) describing how the opportunity benefited their work
• Allow ShelteringTree.Earth to reference the scholarship in promotional materials
• Maintain good standing with all contractual obligations

Failure to meet obligations may affect eligibility for future awards.

9. Recordkeeping and Reporting

ShelteringTree.Earth will maintain an internal record including:

• Annual fund balance
• Incoming revenue
• Award amounts
• Recipient names
• Purpose of awards
• Proof of completion

An annual summary may be published internally or externally at the discretion of leadership.

10. Policy Review and Amendments

This policy will be reviewed annually. ShelteringTree.Earth reserves the right to amend the policy to reflect changes in funding, legal requirements, or organizational priorities.

11. Legal Compliance

This scholarship program is an internal initiative of ShelteringTree.Earth, LLC and is not a public charitable offering. Funds are distributed solely to individuals with an existing professional relationship with the company. The program complies with Florida business regulations governing internal professional development funds.