Our revamped program is tailored for those with hardships, student members, and 1st time attendees.

By Grace Castaneda, CSMFO Membership Committee Chair, Budget Manager, City of San Mateo

The 2020 Conference Host Committee is excited to announce the CSMFO Board’s continued support for the scholarship program.

The CSMFO Annual Conference is an outstanding opportunity for education, networking, and professional growth. The days of the conference are filled with concurrent and general sessions that relate directly to the issues and challenges faced in municipal finance. Choose your own adventure as you pick between sessions that allow you to tailor your conference experience to your own needs!

After the sessions there is an abundance of fun post-session networking and social events that give the chance to unwind and get to know your peers from California. The 2020 Conference will have unique events and opportunities since the conference is in Disneyland’s backyard! Mark your calendars now to attend this premier event from January 28-31, 2020.

CSMFO has revamped the scholarship program for the 2020 Annual Conference in Anaheim to allow more members to attend based on their needs. The scholarships are now broken out into three categories:

  • 1st Time Attendees: Scholarships will be awarded to the first 25 applicants who are current municipal members in good standing and who have never attended an annual conference. Scholarships cover the full cost of regular conference registration.
  • Financial Hardships: Scholarships will be awarded to 10 applicants who are current municipal members in good standing and who demonstrate financial need. Priority will be given to first-time conference attendees. Scholarships cover the full cost of regular conference registration, plus a $250 per diem up to $500 total for the conference that is provided on a cost-reimbursement basis.
  • Students: Scholarships will be awarded to current student members in good standing, and cover the full cost of regular conference registration, plus a $50 per diem.

The scholarship forms are straightforward and require a minimal time investment in return for the opportunities that the conference provides. Don’t miss the chance to experience the 2020 Conference in Anaheim! The forms will be available on September 16th from CSMFO’s Conference Website. 1st Time Attendee and Financial Hardship applications are due on September 30th, and winners will be notified on November 1st. Please contact the Membership Committee for more information.

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Grace Castaneda is the Budget Manager at the City of San Mateo and has been in local government for the past ten years. During her time in telling San Mateo’s budget story, Grace helped revamp her City’s budget document, which resulted in winning the GFOA budget award for the first time in the City’s history. After having her second child, Grace started running to preserve her sanity. Grace is a UCLA Bruin with a degree in Business Economics. She serves as the Chair of the CSMFO Membership Committee, serves on the CSMFO Host Committee, and supports several subcommittees.

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