The Dot Org - Community Engagement Grant Recipient
Amount Granted: $800
Funded: The Ginsberg Community Engagement Grant of $800 allowed the Dot Org to purchase enough menstrual products and supplies to transition from a pilot program to a full-fledged service that reached 30+ people each month. Using this money, they were able to continue their program for many months with financial security.
Ginsberg Pathways Represented: Philanthropy, Direct Service, and Community Organizing and Activism
In partnership with the Ypsilanti District Library, The Dot Org expanded its work of providing menstrual products to individuals and families who needed support in Washtenaw County. Through the CEG Grant, the Dot Org continued to provide and increase the supply of menstrual products to community members who filled out the request form or found the information in the district libraries of Washtenaw County.
BlueLab Metro - Community Engagement Grant Recipient
Amount Granted: $800
Funded: Materials needed to build their structure.
Ginsberg Pathways Represented: Community Engaged Learning and Research, Community Organizing and Activism, and Direct Service
Utilizing grant funds, BLUElab Metro has worked to collaboratively design, build, and implement a structure with the Bryant Community Center and its community members in Ann Arbor, where residents can gather and charge their devices using solar power. In this design, they plan to incorporate moss as a method of carbon capture. An additional goal of this project is to raise awareness about sustainability initiatives and encourage members of the community to participate in the neighborhood carbon neutrality project; the project remains ongoing.
“The grant funding made it possible for us to purchase materials needed to build the structure.
Without this funding, the eventual completion of the project would not be possible.”
MI Movement - Community Engagement Grant Recipient
Amount Granted: $400
Funded: This grant directly provided funding for many of the MIMKit items. Specifically, the grant helped purchase lotion, shampoo, rain ponchos, bags, emergency blankets, floss, combs, nail clippers, and chapstick.
Ginsberg Pathways Represented: Philanthropy and Direct Service
“This grant allowed us to focus a lot more of our efforts on finding new resources rather than having to focus on fundraising.” – MI Movement
By partnering with many local organizations through the Project Connect event, Michigan Movement members work to provide aid to individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness and poverty in Washtenaw County. They host two events each year with the Washtenaw Shelter Association, M-36, the Misfit Society Coffee Club, Wolverine Street Medicine, and UM Recreation to provide essential kits (MIMKits), food, clothing, medical care, and haircuts in downtown Ann Arbor. Grant funds supported supplies for their spring Project Connect event. As a whole, their goals were met—they helped around 60 individuals, giving out over 100 reusable water bottles, many articles of clothing and MIMKit items, baked goods, and a variety of other items.
“The entirety of the Michigan Movement is extremely grateful for the Ginsberg Center’s support as this event truly could not have been possible without your support!” – MI Movement
“I am so happy to hear that you can give these clothes to people in need. I have donated them for years but I am retiring and won’t be there to take them home to wash and donate. Same with the water bottles. I know that some don’t donate and it ends up in landfills and that troubles me. So thank you all for helping me carry on helping folks. I really appreciate it." – Karen Nys, Facility Operator at North Campus Recreational Buildings
Students of Color at Rackham - Alternative Break Grant Recipient
Amount Granted: $750
Funded: The Ginsberg Alternative Break Grant helped fund transportation costs and Think Tank Supplies
Ginsberg Pathways Represented: Direct Service, Community Organizing and Activism, and Policy and Governance
SCOR's project addressed economic disparity and digital inclusion in Inkster, Michigan, a community facing financial challenges that hindered residents' upward mobility and overall well-being. Recognizing the need for targeted, sustainable solutions, SCOR partnered with the Strategic Alliance Community Development Corporation (CDC) and several graduate organizations to launch an alternative spring break (ASB) project in Spring 2024. They collaborated with the CDC to conduct community assessments, engage residents, and develop economic plans to promote resilience. A pre-ASB seminar, led by the CDC's CEO, Jason Dixon, focused on the digital divide's impact on Inkster. The team also contributed to facility renovations, strategic planning, and hosted a workshop on socioeconomic issues. Funded by the Ginsberg Center’s Alternative Break Grant, the project fostered meaningful connections with the Metro Detroit community.
“I am thankful to the Michigan Students for all their hard work to make this event possible. Intellectual Capital meets Opportunity. We need more of this type of work done to service the community.” – Jason Dixon, CEO of Strategic Alliance Community Development
The Pearl Project - Alternative Break Grant Recipient
Amount Granted: $1,000
Funded: Grant funds were utilized to purchase supplies and support the cost of housing on the trip.
Ginsberg Pathways Represented: Direct Service and Philanthropy
The Pearl Project's purpose is to support community efforts to increase access to childcare and create a safe space for community building. With funding from this grant, they traveled to Chicago to volunteer, fundraise, and donate at the Roseland Community Good News Daycare, a partnership they have maintained for 5 years.
“Both our organization, its members, and the Roseland community we partner with mutually benefited from our initiative.
- For Roseland, employees of the daycare were able to focus their efforts on community sustainability efforts during our time there
- For our members, they experienced a week of learning what it means to serve in an equitable manner. They were also able to build leadership and interpersonal skills through their experiences.”