A new Wright State Foundation Board of Trustees initiative will help students apply for funding for programs, organizations and activities on campus.
Students First Fund is a grant-based initiative which helps empower students, staff and faculty at Wright State to create and further programs helping students on campus, according to Holley Mapel, student trustee for the Foundation Board of Trustees.
“The goal of the Foundation Board was to help as many students as possible succeed, thrive, persist and then go on to graduate,” said Kim Patton, assistant director for Advancement Communications.
Members of the Wright State community are able to apply through Students First Fund during the current school year, for the upcoming school year.
If a student completes an application, it must include a faculty or staff member designated as an advisor. If a staff or faculty member completes the application, their supervisor must be designated. “This helps make sure sustainability is maintained after the funds are allocated,” Mapel said.It is important for students to understand this is not a scholarship program, it is a grants program, and it is not intended for individual support, but for groups and organizations to start, continue and advance, Patton said.
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Mapel encouraged applicants to complete forms on behalf of organizations or initiatives.
“Collaboration is key. We want to make sure that there is something sustainable for them to actually implement it together.”
The Foundation Board hopes to encourage innovations and sustainability among programs, Mapel said.
“The goal really is to provide opportunities for students, staff and faculty to really implement innovative and strategic initiatives that support student success holistically.”
The Foundation Board of Trustees has authorized and committed to $50,000 minimum being available each year for the next three years to be allocated to applicants.
For those interested in the Students First Fund, the current application is still open for the 2019-2020 academic year. The applications close at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 15.
For more information, contact studentsfirstfund@wright.edu.
