Attending the ASTA National Conference can be transformational. New ideas, meaningful professional relationships, mentorship, and a sense of belonging within the national string teaching community often shape careers for years to come.

Unfortunately, financial and logistical barriers prevent many educators from participating. The ASTA Community Catalyst Scholarship was created to help remove those barriers.

Your gift helps ensure that cost is never the reason an educator misses the opportunity to participate.

Thanks to early support from current and former ASTA Board leaders, more than $6,500 has already been committed. Now we're inviting the entire ASTA community to help unlock an additional $20,000 in matching funds.

Whether you contribute $25, $100, $500, or fund an entire scholarship, your support directly expands access to ASTA programs and opportunities.

$1,000 funds one full scholarship experience.

Your Gift Provides Access To:

ASTA National Conference registration
- Registration for one pre-conference workshop
- Three nights of hotel accommodations
Registration for the Virtual String Teachers Summit
Optional participation in the ASTA Mentor Program
Participation in the Community Catalyst Cohort experience

The Community Catalyst Scholarship Program helps educators:

Reduce barriers to participation
Access professional development opportunities
Build meaningful professional relationships
Connect with mentors and ASTA leaders
Increase confidence and professional growth
Develop a stronger sense of belonging within the string teaching profession

Founders Circle

Donors who commit to $100/month or $1,000/year recurring contributions, or contribute $5,000+ before October 1, 2026, will be permanently recognized as members of the ASTA Community Catalyst Founders Circle.

The Long-Term Vision

The Community Catalyst Scholarship Program is designed to become a sustainable access initiative that strengthens mentorship, belonging, leadership development, and professional community throughout ASTA.

The program helps ASTA:

Increase first-time participation
Strengthen member engagement and retention
Expand representation across teaching settings, career stages, and geographic regions
Cultivate future volunteers, mentors, leaders, and donors

All charitable contributions made to ASTA are tax-deductible.

2027 Community Catalyst Scholarship Fund

Building access, mentorship, and belonging within the string teaching profession. $1,000 funds one full scholarship experience.