2016 Global Solidarity Grant Program

Shared Mission

The Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU), founded in 1899, is the collective voice of Catholic higher education in the United States. ACCU helps to foster a vibrant Catholic identity at member institutions and supports cooperation among them for the greater good of society and the Church.

Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the international humanitarian relief and development arm of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has a longstanding and mutually beneficial relationship with Catholic higher education. The relationship was strengthened in 2005 with the creation of the U.S. Operations Division of which Catholic colleges and universities are a central focus. The CRS University website articulates the vision of the CRS Global Campus and its corresponding programs: Student Ambassadors and the Faculty Learning Commons.

As institutions committed to the mission of the Catholic Church, CRS and ACCU share a goal of strengthening Catholic identity on campus and educating students to build a more just and peaceful world. The Global Solidarity Grant Program is one way we live this mission together.

Objective

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) University Engagement and the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU) are jointly offering small grants of up to $3,000 to ACCU member institutions to advance Catholic mission through global solidarity by developing creative projects or enhancing existing structures.

 Two types of grants are being awarded this year –CRS Student Ambassadors grants and CRS Global Campus grants. 

Appropriate projects will draw on the programs and resources of CRS University Engagement. Projects that promote collaboration across campus (i.e., between academic and student life areas), reach a significant portion of the campus population, incorporate advocacy and have a digital and traditional media dimension are highly regarded.  Projects must involve students in a significant way but must have a faculty or staff sponsor.

Student Ambassadors Grant

New this year will be a set of grants awarded to campuses who wish to establish a new CRS Student Ambassador program, or strengthen an existing CRS Student Ambassador program to expand their reach on campus and increase future program sustainability. Campuses are encouraged to consider applying for the grant to train and form student leaders or appropriate faculty and staff to build or strengthen the Student Ambassadors program.  This could include planning an event which launches the group or expands their membership as well as enhancing the leadership structure to engage students for years to come.  Proposals will be accepted that include planning in the 2017 spring semester with implementation in the 2017 spring or fall semesters.

Global Campus Grant

Campuses with an established Student Ambassadors program are encouraged to submit a creative project promoting global solidarity that will help move the campus toward or strengthen an existing CRS Global Campus designation.  Projects are expected to be carried out during the 2017 spring semester.  A key aspect of becoming a CRS Global Campus is to establish an inter-disciplinary stakeholder committee to guide and implement the partnership.  Successful proposals will address how campuses will establish or strengthen these committees through a shared project.  Examples of projects include institutionalizing the CRS Faculty Learning Commons on campus, establishing or enhancing global solidarity events during a campus mission week, or a campus-wide campaign (educational, spiritual, action, fundraising) to promote an aspect of global solidarity.

 Application components

1. Cover Sheet – List the title of project, primary sponsor(s) and contact information, amount requested, and 100-word description of the project. An administrative contact (grants officer or business office administrator) must be identified. The cover sheet must be signed by the sponsor(s) and the administrative contact.
2. Narrative – For each of the three following areas, please describe:
   1. The educational rationale and goals behind the proposal, the intended audience, and how it advances global solidarity through CRS as a part of the Catholic mission of the college.
   2. For Student Ambassadors grants: A project plan that demonstrates the capacity of sponsoring office and/or other existing structure to support the Student Ambassadors program.  Please describe how the campus will foster a community and establish a student organization of engaged students who will promote global solidarity events and sustain the organization from year to year, including recruitment of students, training, and projects or events to launch the group.  Additionally, please describe how CRS resources will be utilized in new projects or to enhance existing projects on campus.
   3. For Global Campus grants: A project plan that details how the proposal’s goals will be met, and identifies the specific resources needed to accomplish the plan and proposed activities. Outline how campus constituencies will collaborate to carry out the proposal and explain the potential for continuing activity.  Please include detailed information on how CRS resources will be used to enhance the project and how the project will move the campus toward becoming a CRS Global Campus.  For existing Global Campuses, please explain how the project strengthens the relationship with CRS and impact on campus.
   4. The qualifications of the sponsors to carry out the project, and qualifications of other persons (e.g., guest speakers) who may help with the project.

The narrative must be clear, complete, and free of jargon. Please limit the narrative to three to five double-spaced pages.

3. Budget – Provide an itemized list of proposed expenditures (stipends, travel, reference and teaching materials, fees, etc.). Stipends may not exceed $125 per day for participants from the sponsor institution, and no one person may receive more than $500 total for work on the project. Appropriate honoraria for speakers may be proposed. Support from other sources should also be listed if a project’s total cost is expected to exceed $3,000. Charges for administrative overhead (to cover business or grant office expenses) may not exceed 10 percent of the project total. Funds will be released only when the project is completed.

Priority will be given in the application process to institutions that have not received global solidarity grants from CRS and ACCU in the past.

Grant applications are due on Friday, December 2, 2016, and should be submitted as a Word document or in PDF form to accu@accunet.org.  Proposals will be reviewed by a committee of three to five representatives from CRS and ACCU. Notifications to grant winners will be sent by January 2017. Final project reports should be submitted to ACCU no later than May 31, 2017. The final report must include a summary of the event or project, including evaluation by the grantee, and a description of plans to continue the work. Photos, videos, and any media coverage would also be welcomed with the final report.

Please address questions or comments to: Alexandra Bradley, Director of Membership and Member Services & Programs, Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, One Dupont Circle NW, Suite 650, Washington, DC 20036. E-mail: abradley@accunet.org. Telephone: (202) 457-0650, ext. 224.