Scholarships

Special District Leadership Foundation

SDLF offers a number of scholarships, designed to help special district elected/appointed officials and staff participate in the foundation’s programs and other educational offerings.

James Kohnen

Dr. James Kohnen, Special District Leadership Academy, Scholarship

This scholarship is for registration fees for the Special District Leadership Academy Conference or Governance Foundations module and is open to elected/appointed special district board members. Returning attendees of the Special District Leadership Academy (must have previously completed all four modules of the SDLA).

Dr. Kohnen spent much of his life in public service and always promoted the importance of education. He served on the boards of Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District, Dublin San Ramon Services District, Alameda County Water Conservation and Flood Control District, SDLF, and the CSDA. While serving on the CSDA Board, he chaired the professional development committee.

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John Yeakley

  All Funds Awarded

John Yeakley, Certified Special District Manager, Scholarship

This scholarship is for registration fees for continuing education related to special district governance and operations for general managers and executive staff. Applicants must be currently pursuing their Certified Special District Manager(CSDM) designation. ​

John Yeakley served as general manager of Bear Valley Community Services District for almost 20 years and as a highly valued member of the Special District Risk Management Authority Board of Directors. He was one of the first individuals to earn the Certified Special District Manager designation through SDLF in 2001 and the Certificate in Special District Governance from SDLF in 2004.

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Education Allowance Fund

Education Allowance Fund Scholarship

The goal of this fund is to provide special district staff and elected/appointed officials an opportunity to access new continuing education opportunities that promote professional development and encourage further involvement in SDLF’s programs (Certified Special District Manager, Certificate in Special District Governance, District of Distinction Accreditation and District Transparency Certificate of Excellence).

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Website Application

Special District Website Scholarship


The goal of this fund is to provide scholarships to cover the cost of a special district website for 15 months and increase transparency and accountability among some of California’s smallest special districts.

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Emerging Leaders

Special District Emerging Leaders Scholarship


This scholarship covers registration to the 2021 CSDA Annual Conference for those currently in a supervisor position or higher – but not yet a general manager.

A generous grant from Five Star Bank makes this program possible.


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