Criteria, Requirements & Further Information
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.
Requirements
- All recipients must submit a final reflection and impact report upon completion of their project. Details included in the award message.
- CEG Awards are subject to tax and must be reported as taxable income to the IRS.
- CEGs will not fund service that takes place during scheduled finals.
- CEGs will not fund credit-bearing projects.
- CEGs 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 return to William and Mary for at least one semester after receiving a CEG.
- 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. Please be aware that 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 College (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 so 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.
Further Information
You may design your own project by working with a nonprofit agency or NGO or work with a program that connects volunteers to projects (this is more common for international service). Previous grants have been awarded for a great range of projects. Some examples include:
- Developing a marketing and publicity plan for a nonprofit agency
- Keeping cooking and delivery shifts at Campus Kitchens at W&M going during the break
- Developing a program to mentor middle-school girls doing service
- Working with an NGO abroad to develop a future international alternative break trip for W&M students
- Internships with an NGO or social entrepreneurship program abroad.
CEG 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
- High program fees are not as likely to be funded as more reasonable costs; compare prices for programs to be sure that you are getting the best value
- 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
