Raise money for a cause you care about!
Grinnell College created the Volunteer Initiative Program in 1999 as a way to formally recognize the important role that faculty and staff of the College play in supporting quality of life initiatives that enrich the local community. The program allows employees to earn donations for non-profit organizations by contributing a significant amount of volunteer time to an organization of their choosing. The College appreciates that students also play a role in the well-being of our community and wants to acknowledge their valuable work by expanding the Volunteer Initiative Program to include student volunteers.
Guidelines for $100 Recognition
• Qualified Activity: Program participants must volunteer at least fifteen hours over the course of one semester. All organizations will be required to verify student participation. Eligible hours must take place during the fall or spring academic semester. The deadline to apply for funding each semester will be 5pm on the Friday of the last week of normal classes.
• Qualified Organizations: The local community is not limited to Grinnell but includes the surrounding area, Des Moines and Iowa City. Generally, we do not support: Individuals; business ventures; organizations without IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status that are not governments; Grinnell College programs without 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status; high school athletic programs; organizations that limit membership and services based on race, religion, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age or national origin; requests for loans or debt retirements; civic/labor/fraternal groups; political organizations; and projects or organizations that might in any way pose a conflict with the mission, goals or programs of Grinnell College.
• Funding Limits: Each student will be eligible to apply for one $100 donation per semester. No organization may receive more than $1,000 in total contributions through the Volunteer Initiative Program in a given fiscal year (July 1 - June 30). Funds are limited and will be released in the order in which qualified applications are received.
Submitting a Request
Applications can be downloaded as a fillable PDF document: 2013Spring Student VIP Form. Please note that unless you are using the full version of Adobe, changes will not save into this document. You must print and submit the form or convert it into another format. Applications are also available by contacting the Office of Community Enhancement and Engagement in the Old Glove Factory (269-3900). Forms should be returned to:
Office of Community Enhancement & Engagement
ATTN: Student Volunteer Initative Program
Grinnell College Old Glove Factory
733 Broad Street
Grinnell, IA 50112
The deadline to apply for funding for the Spring 2013 semester will be Friday, May 10 at 5pm.
The College reserves the right to deny funding to any and/or all requests. If an application is denied, the applicant may request a written explanation for the decision.
Finding a Volunteer Opportunity
Grinnell College coordinates many volunteer opportunities through its Community Service Program. Students are encouraged to coordinate with that office to help find a volunteer opportunity that suits their interests.
