In a boost to social involvement at HBS, the Student Association (“SA”) announced earlier this month the first grant recipients from the Community Impact Fund. Three student-led initiatives-the New Orleans Trek, Social Immersion, and Board Fellows-were awarded a total of $8,700 in funding. Because of the success and popularity of the first round, the SA announced that it is now accepting proposals for a second round of funding.
“We’re proud that the Student Association is supporting these three programs,” said Jacob Chacko, co-president of the SA. “Students at HBS have long been involved in efforts to make Boston, America and the broader world better. The Senate created the Community Impact Fund to allow them to grow.”
The New Orleans Trek recently brought 40 students to the storm-ravaged city to aid in reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts. The $6,000 grant from the Community Impact Fund paid for local transportation and related costs. For the newly started Social Immersion Program, its $1,700 grant will allow students to spend a day studying two local non-profit organizations. Board Fellows, a program that places HBS students on to the boards of non-profit organizations, will invest its $1,000 Impact Fund grant in professional training for students. This will, the group’s leadership hopes, lead to greater effectiveness and impact.
Carolina For Kibera was awarded a grant to bring HBS students to Kibera, a huge Kenyan slum where the group runs a clinic and community improvement programs. However, because of the unrest in the country following recent elections, the trip could not take place.
“After reviewing all the proposals, the Senate felt that felt that these were the ones that best met the goals of the fund: to allow HBS students to have a positive impact in the broader community,” said Khary Barnes, co-president of the SA. “We’re looking forward to seeing more ideas of this caliber in the new round of funding that’s now underway. If you’re an individual or part of an organization wanting to start a new program or expand a current one that allows Harvard Business School students to make a difference, I would urge you to have a look at the Community Impact Fund.”
Money for the fund comes principally from student dues and the profits from SA Ventures. Its mission is to provide financial subsidies for student-led initiatives with timely, direct, and tangible impact on communities external to HBS. Applications for spring funding are due to each section senator by March 7, 2008. Applicants are encouraged to submit a detailed, one-page project proposal and make themselves available for a possible presentation to the senate on March 18.
Who is eligible?
Current HBS Students only.
How large is the award?
Per-student award TBD by SA on case-by-case basis
How do students apply?
Submit 1-page proposal to the SA by 03/07/08
(email proposals to your section Senator)
How does SA approve?
Majority vote of SA on 03/18/08
For more information, contact:
John Coleman: jcoleman@mba2009.hbs.edu
Michon Pinnix: mpinnix@mba2008.hbs.edu
Tom Gioia: tgioia@mba2008.hbs.edu
