SVSU Foundation Community Engagement Grants

Due by 4:30 March 15 and October 15 yearly or next business day if the due date falls on the weekend 

Applications will only appear when being accepted. Usually 90 days before due date.

• Applications are submitted by visiting http://svsu.infoready4.com/

• Purpose: One of SVSU’s strategic priorities centers on its partnership with the regional community: 6. Community Partnership and Engagement. To bolster the university’s already high level of community engagement and regional impact, the SVSU Foundation has established a specialized grant program to encourage students, faculty, and staff to form partnerships with community organizations and develop projects that will directly benefit the people of our region.

  Who is Eligible

  • Open to all faculty and staff
  • Student projects welcome but must be supervised by a faculty or staff advisor

  Project Requirements

  • Projects will directly support the sixth strategic priority of the SVSU Strategic Plan: Community Partnership and Engagement, in one or more of the following areas: 6.1 Strengthen Educational and Economic Development Partnerships, 6.2 Promote Community Well-Being, Service Learning, and Civic Engagement, 6.3 Embrace an Environment of Hospitality, 6.4 Expand and Promote University Outreach
  • The project must focus on an activity that brings SVSU students in direct contact with members of the regional community or community organizations. Please clearly indicate the number of students and community members impacted by the project (approximations are acceptable if exact figures cannot be predicted/determined).
  • Proposals must demonstrate a collaboration with a community organization, preferably including resources committed to the project by that organization. The most successful proposals will be those that demonstrate financial support from additional sources (i.e., other grants, community partner investment, SVSU departmental support, student fundraising, etc.).
  • Programs or activities supported by the grant must be completed or implemented within one year of the grant approval date. Applicants may apply for one year of additional funding based on letters of support from community partners and/or demonstration of the community need the program is addressing.
  • Please only submit proposals for projects that can be successfully implemented with a funding decision a minimum of 4-6 weeks after the application deadline.
  • Grants will be primarily for the initiation of new community engagement projects. Expansion or enhancement of existing projects may be considered based on the impact of the project and the availability of funds.
  • To learn more about how the Evaluation Committee scores and determines funding for proposals, please read the document, "Community Engagement Grants Score Sheet."

  Application Requirements

  1. Detailed narrative description of the proposed project
  2. Demonstration of how the project aligns with SVSU’s community engagement goal
  3. Letter of Intent from community partner(s) confirming collaboration and the need the project will address
  4. Clear explanation of how the project involves and directly benefits SVSU students and community members (including the number of individuals impacted, preferably with an estimated cost per student/participant).
  5. Detailed budget
  6. Time line for completion of project

  Support will not be granted for faculty/staff stipends, travel, and professional development; student employment compensation that should be provided by regular departmental budgets; and projects that provide profit to participants other than “proceeds” that support the work of non-profit organizations.

  Historic award amount of $5,000.