Announcing the 2026 Gwendolyn M. Mangnall Convention Scholarship

Have you heard about the fun, fellowship, and empowerment of a state convention of the National Federation of the Blind? Have you always wanted to attend but have not had the means? If so, we encourage you to apply for funding assistance through the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska (NFBN) Gwendolyn M. Mangnall Convention Scholarship Fund.

Through the generosity of a bequest from Gwendolyn M. Mangnall, NFBN is able to offer a limited number of convention scholarships. Because available funds are limited, please make your application a priority.

Convention dates: April 30 through May 3, 2026 (Kearney, Nebraska)

Who is eligible?

  • Active NFBN members (blind or sighted), and
  • Blind individuals who are interested in learning more about the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska

How do I apply for funding assistance?

Please submit the following by March 1, 2026:

  1. An applicant letter that includes your contact information and your NFBN chapter or division (if applicable), or how you became interested in learning more about NFBN. Specify the amount you are requesting to cover convention expenses you are unable to afford. Explain what you hope to gain from attending the NFBN State Convention and what you hope to contribute in the future to the work of the National Federation of the Blind.
  2. A letter of recommendation from your local NFBN chapter or division president, a rehabilitation counselor, a teacher, or another non-family member.

Submit your documents by email or mail:

When will I be notified?

The scholarship committee will make every effort to notify applicants of the outcome of their request by March 15, 2026. The committee will contact each person who applies, whether or not a scholarship is awarded.

Because notification occurs close to the convention, applicants should be prepared to do the following in advance:

  1. Make your own hotel reservation. If something prevents you from attending, you can cancel the reservation. You may arrange roommates to reduce costs.
  2. Register online for the full convention, including the banquet, by March 1, 2026. Scholarship recipients must plan to attend the convention in its entirety in order to receive the scholarship.

How will I receive my convention scholarship?

Scholarship funds will be provided at the convention by NFBN State Treasurer Cheryl Livingston. The committee is not able to provide funds in advance of the convention.

If you cannot afford basic expenses up front, we recommend working with your chapter, division, or other supporters to arrange an advance with the understanding that you will reimburse them after receiving scholarship funds. You may also contact Treasurer Cheryl Livingston if you run into difficulty obtaining the necessary funding in advance of the committee’s decision.

Questions?

For additional information, contact Treasurer Cheryl Livingston:

Above all, we hope you will use this opportunity to attend the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska State Convention. You will not want to miss the most dynamic and influential gathering of Nebraska’s blind this year.

Please visit our website for registration details and transportation information: https://ne.nfb.org/convention26

We hope to see you in Kearney April 30 through May 3, 2026.