In August of 2017 the Administrators of this group established the "David L. Powell Memorial Scholarship Fund".  The sole purpose of this program is to honor our late group Administrator by offering financial support towards further testing of people with either the surname Chavis or who can show a direct relationship to someone with the surname Chavis/Chavers/Shivers/Cheves or similarly spelled variations of which there are many. 

To date, 2022, we have offered assistance to 5 people to upgrade, transfer or receive DNA testing. Some of the results are important to the group and have yielded connections that augmented our understanding of the origins of the Chavis of VA/NC/SC and the Lumbee Tribe of NC.

We encourage donations towards this end via the general fund for this group.  Donations may be anonymous or confidential.  Donations to the group are appreciated, but we have had few applicants.  We encourage you to take advantage of the scholarship during the numerous times of the year when the tests are at a reduced price. All chosen recipients will be decided by a committee of 4 now including Will Franklin as Chair, Donna Preston, Consultant, Merilyn Weaver, Consultant, and Keith Burgess (researcher). 

You may apply for help with funding your DNA tests via email to Donna Preston at tamesabine@gmail.com or post your request to the group feed.    Please do not hesitate to contact any of the admins of this group with any questions or comments.  We appreciate your membership!