Thanks to generous support from The Rockefeller Foundation, The Frank Karel Scholarship to ComNet enables The Communications Network to offer registrations to nonprofit staffers and communications-focused academics who would not otherwise be able to attend ComNet25.

The application is now closed. Applicants will hear back during the week of May 4.

Please note, the scholarship includes one free registration for ComNet. It does NOT include travel, lodging, or other incidental expenses.

This is open to non-profit staffers and communications-focused academics only (i.e. we’re unable to accept applications from foundations, including community foundations and grant-making organizations.)

Preference is given to nonprofits and comms-focused academics. This year, we will also consider government employees who have faced professional development budget cuts or have recently been laid off.

Learn more about past
Karel Scholars below:

Karel Testimonials_2024 Recipient Amanda Heckenkamp.png

Karel Testimonials_2024 Recipient Tammy Pitts.png

Karel Testimonials_2024 Recipient Neal Simpson.png

Karel Testimonials_2024 Recipient Liz Schob.png

Karel Testimonials_2024 Recipient Karen Gilbert.png

Karel Testimonials_2023 Recipient Sierra Blake.png

Karel Testimonials_2023 Recipient Piper Hendricks.png

Karel Testimonials_2023 Recipient Greg Loughlin.png

Karel Testimonials_2023 Recipient Dorrie Toney.png

Karel Testimonials_2023 Recipient Lindsay Mensch.png

Karel Testimonials_2023 Recipient Natalie Pickett.png

Karel Testimonials_2023 Recipient Chiara Clayton.png

Karel Testimonials_2023 Recipient Amy Boal.png

Karel Testimonials_2022 Recipient Janelle Raymundo.png

Karel Testimonials_2022 Recipient Chris Ackerley.png

Karel Testimonials_2022 Recipient Nadine Sanchara.png

Karel Testimonials_2022 Recipient Jen Will-Thapa.png

Karel Testimonials_2022 Recipient Jayanna Thompson.png

Past Karel Scholars have joined us from organizations including

Thanks to the generous support of:

Who was Frank Karel

In the mid-1970s, Frank Karel was hired as the new communications lead for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The first ever. And he didn't know where to begin or what to do... So, he picked up the phone and called a colleague with a similar sounding title at The Rockefeller Foundation, who graciously invited him to lunch to discuss the opportunities and challenges ahead.

And with that lunch, The Communications Network was born. Today, The Communications Network counts more than 1,800 members from social sector organizations across the globe.

Frank would later join The Rockefeller Foundation as its communications chief and help the foundation expand its leadership in the philanthropic sector.

In the spirit of honoring this history, The Rockefeller Foundation is the founding sponsor of The Frank Karel Scholarship at The Communications Network’s annual conference.

Learn more about past Karel Scholars below:

Past Karel Scholars have joined us from organizations including

Thanks to the generous support of:

Who was Frank Karel

Learn more about past
Karel Scholars below: