1. How does First10Forward accomplish its Mission?
Every year, First10Forward sells Memberships to eligible women graduates of the United States Merchant Marine Academy (“USMMA”). The proceeds from those Membership sales make up a monetary Grant that First10Forward will award on a yearly basis to a charitable organization whose activities advance the Mission of First10Forward. The Members are invited to nominate eligible organizations from within their communities for consideration to receive the Annual Grant. At First10Forward’s Annual Meeting, Members are invited to present to the Membership the details of the activities of the organizations that they have nominated. The Membership then votes on which organization will receive the First10Forward Annual Grant.
2. Am I eligible to become a Member of First10Forward?
In 2024, any woman who graduated from the USMMA between 1978 and 1993 is eligible to become a Member. Every year after 2024, women graduates from the following year become eligible i.e. in 2025, women graduates from 1994 will be joined to the roster of those eligible to become Members; in 2026, women graduates from 1995 will be joined to the roster.
Eligible women graduates from the USMMA can become Members by purchasing a Membership and paying a one-time Registration Fee. In 2024, a Membership costs $1,000. 100% of your Membership cost goes toward First10Forward’s Mission. In 2024, the one-time registration fee is $200. The registration fee is used to cover First10Forward’s administrative costs.
4. What are the benefits of Membership.
Members can nominate Eligible Organizations to receive First10Forward’s Annual Grant. Members can attend First10Forward’s Annual Meeting and vote on which Eligible Organization will receive that year’s Annual Grant. The cost of attending First10Forward’s Annual Meeting is born by each Member.
5. What if I can’t afford the $1000 Membership Cost?
Eligible graduates can choose to purchase a single Membership with one or two other eligible graduates. All the graduates who purchased the Membership can attend First10Forward’s Annual Meeting. They can also nominate one Eligible Organization, and they can cast one vote on which Eligible Organization will receive that year’s Annual Grant.
6. What’s the deadline for purchasing a Membership for 2024?
AUG 1, 2024
7. What’s the deadline for nominating an Eligible Organization to receive the 2024 Annual Grant?
AUG 1, 2024
8. When is the 2024 First10Forward Annual Meeting?
First10Forward Annual Meeting is Sep 7-10, 2024 at East Wind Resort, Wading River, NY.
Yes. First10Forward also accepts, with gratitude, donations from friends and colleagues who share our passion for helping women and girls achieve their professional goals. Only Members, however, can nominate an organization to receive our Annual Grant; only Members can vote and only Members can attend the Annual Meeting. Please also consider a company matching donation if your company participates.
1. How does First10Forward accomplish its Mission?
5. What if I can’t afford the $1000 Membership Cost?
