Community Engagement Grants

Apply for up to $3,000 for project and living expenses for community projects over summer break. Grant-funded experiences develop students as community-centered leaders and support communities in achieving their own goals.

single column table with grant details

Grant Overview

You may design your own project by working with a nonprofit or government agency or you may receive funding for a community-engaged internship or service experience. Previous grants have been awarded for a great range of projects. Some examples include:

Developing a marketing and publicity plan for a nonprofit

Sustained volunteering with a non-profit organization

Developing a program to mentor middle-school girls doing service

Building infrastructure in an international community in partnership with a local organization

Internships with an a government office

Grants allow you to engage in meaningful direct service or community-engaged internships by defraying living expenses and other costs including:

Expenses for service projects (supplies, transportation, etc.)

Living expenses

Compensation for unpaid service work up to $15/hr

Program fees for service programs

General Guidelines:

Students may apply either an individual or on behalf of a recognized student organization for up to $3,000

All full-time undergraduate or graduates students who will return to William & Mary for at least one semester after receiving a grant are eligible to apply

Preference is given to applications that indicate that grant funds will go directly to the community or to students' reasonable living expenses.

Funded projects may occur in the United States or abroad, but special consideration is given to domestic proposals. Funded experiences abroad must meet additional university requirements.

The review committee will take into account other funding the applicant has received.

We also encourage students to review The Career Center's Funding for Unpaid Summer Experiences (FUSE).

Criteria

Grants will be awarded based on:

Positive impact on the community. How will your project build on the assets of and meet the needs of the community with whom you are working?

Positive impact on the student. How will you take what you learn and apply it to future studies, career and life choices? Are you prepared to be effective in this community setting?

Appropriateness of financial request. Preference is given to projects where funds support community projects or your own reasonable expenses, rather than a third-party provider fee.

Degree of student's financial need. Preference is given when students are contributing to expenses themselves or face difficult financial circumstances.

Grant funding is limited and often competitive. Some requests are more likely to be funded than others. Consider the following components when planning your community engagement project:

Longer-term projects are more likely to be funded than short projects, as they allow for greater impact on the community and the student alike.

Living expenses should not be extravagant.

Local and US-based projects are more likely to be funded since the costs are often lower.

If you are considering an international project, explain why you need to travel to another country to do this work.

Grants are awarded to projects that are focused on direct service rather than research.

Requirements

All recipients must submit regular reflection and impact reports during their experience. Details are included in the award message.

Grants are subject to tax and must be reported as taxable income to the IRS.

Grants will not fund service that takes place during scheduled finals.

Grants will not fund credit-bearing projects.

Grants will not fund projects which include religious education or proselytizing although the project can be done in partnership with a faith-based organization.

All recipients must be full-time undergraduate or graduate students who will return to William and Mary for at least one semester after receiving a grant.

For International Projects

All recipients whose projects occur outside of the United States must adhere to the William & Mary International Travel Policy. In particular, please note that some international destinations require further approval from the Travel Warning committee before grant funding may be provided. Conditions in countries on this warning list may change or escalate rapidly, and based on these changing conditions, the safety of this trip may need to be reconsidered even after gaining approval.

All recipients traveling to international destinations must purchase international travel and health insurance through the university (CISI insurance) that includes medical coverage and evacuation, as well as evacuation for natural disasters or political instability; and submit their travel plan details, so we can ensure that you have considered your plans carefully and we can be in touch with you in case of emergency. This money ($34 per month of coverage) will be deducted from your award total.

Apply for a Community Engagement Grant

single column table with grant details
Grant Overview You may design your own project by working with a nonprofit or government agency or you may receive funding for a community-engaged internship or service experience. Previous grants have been awarded for a great range of projects. Some examples include: Developing a marketing and publicity plan for a nonprofit Sustained volunteering with a non-profit organization Developing a program to mentor middle-school girls doing service Building infrastructure in an international community in partnership with a local organization Internships with an a government office Grants allow you to engage in meaningful direct service or community-engaged internships by defraying living expenses and other costs including: Expenses for service projects (supplies, transportation, etc.) Living expenses Compensation for unpaid service work up to $15/hr Program fees for service programs General Guidelines: Students may apply either an individual or on behalf of a recognized student organization for up to $3,000 All full-time undergraduate or graduates students who will return to William & Mary for at least one semester after receiving a grant are eligible to apply Preference is given to applications that indicate that grant funds will go directly to the community or to students' reasonable living expenses. Funded projects may occur in the United States or abroad, but special consideration is given to domestic proposals. Funded experiences abroad must meet additional university requirements. The review committee will take into account other funding the applicant has received. We also encourage students to review The Career Center's Funding for Unpaid Summer Experiences (FUSE).
Criteria Grants will be awarded based on: Positive impact on the community. How will your project build on the assets of and meet the needs of the community with whom you are working? Positive impact on the student. How will you take what you learn and apply it to future studies, career and life choices? Are you prepared to be effective in this community setting? Appropriateness of financial request. Preference is given to projects where funds support community projects or your own reasonable expenses, rather than a third-party provider fee. Degree of student's financial need. Preference is given when students are contributing to expenses themselves or face difficult financial circumstances. Grant funding is limited and often competitive. Some requests are more likely to be funded than others. Consider the following components when planning your community engagement project: Longer-term projects are more likely to be funded than short projects, as they allow for greater impact on the community and the student alike. Living expenses should not be extravagant. Local and US-based projects are more likely to be funded since the costs are often lower. If you are considering an international project, explain why you need to travel to another country to do this work. Grants are awarded to projects that are focused on direct service rather than research.
Requirements All recipients must submit regular reflection and impact reports during their experience. Details are included in the award message. Grants are subject to tax and must be reported as taxable income to the IRS. Grants will not fund service that takes place during scheduled finals. Grants will not fund credit-bearing projects. Grants will not fund projects which include religious education or proselytizing although the project can be done in partnership with a faith-based organization. All recipients must be full-time undergraduate or graduate students who will return to William and Mary for at least one semester after receiving a grant.
For International Projects All recipients whose projects occur outside of the United States must adhere to the William & Mary International Travel Policy. In particular, please note that some international destinations require further approval from the Travel Warning committee before grant funding may be provided. Conditions in countries on this warning list may change or escalate rapidly, and based on these changing conditions, the safety of this trip may need to be reconsidered even after gaining approval. All recipients traveling to international destinations must purchase international travel and health insurance through the university (CISI insurance) that includes medical coverage and evacuation, as well as evacuation for natural disasters or political instability; and submit their travel plan details, so we can ensure that you have considered your plans carefully and we can be in touch with you in case of emergency. This money ($34 per month of coverage) will be deducted from your award total.

Community Engagement Grants are made possible through the generosity of The William & Mary Parents Fund, The Pulley Family Public Service Fellowship Endowment, and The Monteverde-Jackson Endowment. Grants are managed by Elizabeth Miller.