Common Good Grant Program Application
Overview
Designed to strengthen the bonds between Bowdoin College and the greater Brunswick community by
supporting local non-profits, the Common Good Grant Committee was created in 2001. Meant to familiarize
students with the important work of non-profits through a philanthropic experience, an anonymous alumni
donor instituted an annual gift of $10,000 for a group of Bowdoin students to allocate to local non-profits in
the form of grants. To date, seven different committees have awarded over $90,000 through 60 grants of up
to $2500 each to local agencies for the purpose of funding new initiatives and maintaining existing programs.
Soon after the creation of the Common Good Grant Committee it became evident that many worthy projects
could not be funded with the $10,000. In 2004, the Common Good Grant Extension Committee was created by a
group of students working to add to the fund base while learning the skills of fund development.
Comprised of both committees, the Common Good Grant Program empowers students by helping them to
make a difference in their community through an educational experience. The committees are both run by
students and advised by the McKeen Center for the Common Good. The accompanying seminar brings in
guest speakers and experts in the field to augment the students understanding of Maine, public issues and the
workings of foundations and non-profits organizations. All students involved participate in a grant-writing
workshop and conduct site visits in the community to past grant recipient organizations.
Common Good Grant Committee
The 12 students selected to be on the Common Good Grant Committee determine the year's criteria for grant recipients.
Developing the RFP, students design and publicize an application for interested organizations. In the spring, the
committee reviews submitted proposals and selects the grant recipients, who are presented with checks at the Common
Good Grant Awards Ceremony in April. Through this program students are able to take part in the philanthropic
process from beginning to end.
Common Good Grant Extension Committee
The Common Good Grant Extension Committee provides a unique opportunity for 8 students to participate in a
strategic fundraising initiative to benefit local non-profits with the goal of extending the existing grant base allowing for
a larger impact in the greater Brunswick community. Working with volunteers from the Bowdoin Development Office,
the group develops ‘a written case’ to communicate community needs and then meet with potential donors. Through this
committee, students are able to hone fundraising skills while meeting with many members of the local community
interested in making a difference through philanthropy.
Application
Common Good Grant Program applications are due to the McKeen Center for the Common Good in
Banister Hall by 5PM on Friday, September 25th. For further questions regarding the application form or
the Common Good Grant Program in general, stop by the McKeen Center, or contact leaders Sean Morris
(smorris2@bowdoin.edu) and Jackie Zaborski (jzaborsk@bowdoin.edu).
For more information about the program and a list of previous grant recipients, visit our webpage at:
www.bowdoin.edu/mckeen-center/
MCKEEN CENTER FOR COMMON GOOD, BOWDOIN COLLEGE, BANISTER HALL
Seminar Topics
Week 1
Orientation to the Program
Week 2
What is a Non-Profit? A Foundation? Philanthropy?
Week 3
Fund Development through Donor Relations
Week 4
Common Good Grant Program Retreat
Week 5
Philanthropy/Non-profits in Maine
Week 6, 7
Understanding the Impact and Need for the Common Good Grant
Site visits with past recipient organizations
Winter Break
Week 9
Finalizing the Case and the Art of the Ask
Week 10
Grant Writing Workshop
Week 11
How to Evaluate a Proposal
Week 12 & 13
Meet in small groups to review proposals (Committee)
Meet with potential donors (Extension Committee)
Spring Break
Week 14 & 15
Determining Final Awards (Committee)
Stewardship (Extension Committee)
Week 16
Common Good Grant Awards Ceremony
Week 17
Final Reflection and Evaluation of the Program
MCKEEN CENTER FOR COMMON GOOD, BOWDOIN COLLEGE, BANISTER HALL
Student Application for the Common Good Grant Committee
PART A:
Name: _________________________
Year of Graduation: ________
Email: _________________________
SU Box:
Phone: _________________________
Anticipated Major(s): ___________________
Hometown: _____________________
Program Preference (please rank):
___Common Good Grant Committee
___ Common Good Grant Extension
___ Either
________
PART B:
Please attach an updated resume.
PART C:
Please respond to the following in a single page and attach to this cover sheet.
Why are you interested in this program, what do you expect to gain from this experience,
and what contributions including previous experiences can you bring to the committee(s)?
Past participants please add: What did you learn from your participation in the past? How
can your participation benefit the program this year?
(Feel free to discuss anything you deem relevant, such as past experiences, special skills,
qualifications, and interests)
PART D:
As a member of the Common Good Grant or Common Good Grant Extension Committees, you
must be able to participate in the following:
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
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Weekly committee meetings: Thursdays, 7:30-9:00 pm, beginning October 8
Common Good Grant Retreat: Saturday, October 24, 10am-2pm
Site visits to past Common Good Grant recipient organizations: mid-November
Common Good Grant recipient determination meeting: Saturday, April 3, 10am-2pm
Recipient Awards Ceremony in April
I understand that I will be required to attend the events detailed above in order to participate in the
Common Good Grant Committee or Common Good Grant Extension Committee and I am willing
to meet these obligations.
______________________________________
Signature
_________________
Date
MCKEEN CENTER FOR COMMON GOOD, BOWDOIN COLLEGE, BANISTER HALL
MCKEEN CENTER FOR COMMON GOOD, BOWDOIN COLLEGE, BANISTER HALL