Student Organization Partnership Program

Mini-Grants of up to $500 are awarded to assist projects that further community-engaged work and build partnerships that are sustained, culturally sensitive and aware, and collaborative and mutually beneficial with community partners. The project must also fit the Morgridge Center’s mission of connecting campus and community through service and learning.

This year, we have enough funding to grant an award to each organization in the Student Organization Partnership Program who properly completes the application process.

• Must be a student organization in the Student Organization Partnership Program through the Morgridge Center for Public Service
  • The organization must submit all items listed in the application to be considered, as well as complete a reflection piece within the academic year of the project
• Projects must include a partnership with a community organization, which seeks to address recommendations in the UW Civic Action Plan, or demonstrate evidence of furthering high quality community-engaged work and partnership
• Preference will be given to established projects and partnerships or new initiatives that have a potential to be sustained over time
• Proposals are encouraged for projects that seek to address a community-identified need and projects for capacity building
• Examples of partners could include:
  • A public agency, including governmental agencies and K-12 schools
  • A private, nonprofit organization
  • A private business or trade organization working on issues such as hunger, poverty, health care, the arts, criminal justice, the environment, community development and economic development

Apply for the Mini-Grant

The application can also be found here and on our website here.

• Applications are on a rolling basis with a deadline to submit by the end of each month
• There must be a minimum three-week period from the application to the start of the project
• It is highly encouraged to submit applications as far in advance as possible

Your application must include:

• Contact information
  • Name of two points of contact within the organization
    • Role in RSO/Project
    • Email
  • RSO name
  • If applicable:
    • Community Partner Name
    • Community Partner Contact Name
    • Community Partner Contact Email or Phone Number
  • Project title and description demonstrating how project aligns with the goals of the SOPP and MCPS
  • Budget breakdown demonstrating purpose for grant
    • Justification
  • An example budget
  • Timeline
  • Reflection piece required at the end of the year

Permissible

• Supplies/equipment
• Guest speakers/community partners for virtual events
• Training materials/registration

Not Permissible

• Transportation
• Salaries
• Social events
• Food

Here are some tips about questions to consider and answer in your application:

• What does this organization do in the community? How do they do it?
• What issue does this organization aim to address? Why is this an issue?
• Who/what does this organization serve?
• To what community does this organization belong?
• How have volunteers efficiently contributed in the past?

• Upon completion of the project, a reflection piece must be created and submitted within the academic year
  • Questions to think about:
    • How did entering this organization/community feel?
    • Were there any feelings of discomfort? If yes, why is this the case?
    • What did group members do/contribute well?
    • How can group members improve for the next direct service activity?
    • Did anything surprise you?
    • What were some challenges, and how did you deal with them?
    • How could this program be improved?

1. Who can apply?
   • Only student organizations that are part of the Student Organization Partnership Program through the Morgridge Center for Public Service
2. Can the funds be used for food or for a social event for my organization?
   • The funds can only be used to support a specific project/event/community-identified need. How the grant will be used should be outlined in the proposal budget, which the review board will take into consideration when distributing awards.
3. What types of things can the money be used for?
   • Examples could be supplies or equipment, but it could go to a variety of things that are necessary for the project and community partner.
4. Can I use the grant for transportation?
   • Funding will not be awarded to cover transportation costs as the Morgridge Center already provides transportation support.
   • Student organizations interested in transportation should contact the Transportation Intern at transportationMCPS@office365.wisc.edu.
5. Can I use the grant to pay volunteers/members of my student organization?
   • Funds will not be awarded for salaries.
   • Funds can be used to pay community partners for a service provided (e.g. guest speaker, facilitator, consultant).
6. Does this grant have to establish a new partnership or a new program?
   • No, the grant could be awarded to further already established programs/events and campus-community partnerships.
7. I’d like to apply for a grant, but I’m not sure where to start, who to partner with and what kind of project to do. Who can I talk to?
   • Email: studentorg@wisc.edu
   • Jenna Harb and Claudia Liverseed: jharb@wisc.edu & cliverseed@wisc.edu