Student Initiatives
Request for Proposals - Ginsberg Student Initiatives Grants
Made possible by the Ron and Eileen Weiser Fund, the Ginsberg Center for Community Service and Learning invites proposals from MSA-recognized student organizations for initiatives that will advance the Center's mission to engage students, faculty, and community members in learning together through community service and civic participation in a diverse democratic society.
Ginsberg Center goals relevant to these grants are:
- Build student capacity for learning and leadership through community service, civic participation, and educational efforts.
- Build the capacity of communities through partnerships with the University which contribute to community quality of life and enhance student learning
- Increase the institutional capacity of the University of Michigan for student civic and multicultural learning.
Click here to review summaries of some past funded projects.
ELIGIBILITY
Undergraduate and graduate student organizations registered with the Michigan Student Assembly (MSA) are eligible to apply for funds. Previous Ginsberg Center awardees may apply, but priority will be given to groups who have not received prior Ginsberg Center funding; repeat funding will only be considered if the proposed project is different than the one previously funded.
MSA registration is accomplished by a simple application available in 3909 Michigan Union (763-3241 www.umich.edu/~msa/).
FUNDING CYCLES
Ginsberg Student Initiatives Grants will have 3 funding cycles in 2009-10. For all cycles, funded project expenses must fall within the time period detailed below.
| Round | Call for Proposals announced: | Proposals due to Ginsberg.grants@umich.edu by 5:00 P.M.: | Funding decisions announced: | Funded project expenses between: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (Fall 09) | August 31 | September 25 | October 9 | 9.1.09 - 3.15.10 |
| 2 (Winter 10) | November 5 | November 30 | December 11 | 1.1.10 - 5.15.10 |
| 3 (Spring/Summer 10) | February 5 | March 19 | March 30 | 5.1.10 - 9.15.10 |
GRANTS
Student groups may apply for funding in amounts up to $1,000. Funds may be used for project costs such as hosting, printing, copying, materials, supplies, vehicle leasing, guest speaker honoraria, and community partner support. We do not fund t-shirts, fund-raisers, or plane fares.
Some grant proposals we receive are really requests for Ginsberg Center co-sponsorship. If you seek funds for a community-based project or initiative, please click here for the form to apply for grant funding. If you seek funds for a campus event -- a dinner, symposium, lecture, etc. - use the funding for campus events application. If you're not sure which route to take, contact Dave Waterhouse, director of student initiatives at the Ginsberg Center (hoohouse@umich.edu, 647-8769).
Because the Ginsberg Center is not only a funding partner but also a capacity-building partner, a Ginsberg Center staff member will be available throughout your project to discuss issues and to problem-solve. We also will provide a complimentary copy of our publication, "I Like My Service Well Done!: Resources for Incorporating Education into Co-Curricular Service and Social Action Programs," which is a compilation of readings and activities useful for building student organizations' service and learning capacities.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Student organization applicants should submit the application cover sheet and accompanying proposal template. Click here for the application cover sheet and proposal templates.
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS
Grantees are responsible for:
- Insuring that the Edward Ginsberg Center for Community Service and Learning is acknowledged in all possible ways as a supporter of the project (e.g., on printed flyers, in introductions of guest speakers, on web pages, etc.).
- Meeting with the Ginsberg Center's Director of Student Initiatives to discuss the project
- Documenting all expenses
- Submitting a final report using the Ginsberg Center Final Report Template (35K Word file) within one month of completion of the funded project.
Failure to comply with these requirements will be grounds for ineligibility for future Ginsberg Center grants.
SUBMISSION
Applicants must submit the complete proposal by 5:00 p.m. on the indicated proposal deadline date in the funding cycles chart above.
E-mail an electronic copy to: ginsberg.grants@umich.edu,
TIMELINE and REVIEW
Each application will be given prompt attention by Ginsberg Center staff and if it falls within the submission guidelines and all parts of the application and grant proposal template are completed, it will be reviewed by a committee of stakeholders, including students, Ginsberg staff, and community members. Decisions will be announced by an e-mail to the contact person by 11 P.M. on the announcement date detailed in the funding cycles chart above.
PROPOSAL ASSISTANCE
Proposals may be more competitive when they are developed with assistance of Ginsberg Center staff. Please contact Dave at hoohouse@umich.edu for more information.