Common Good Grant Program Application
Overview
Since 2001, an anonymous alumni donor has contributed $10,000 annually for Bowdoin students to allocate
to local agencies looking for funding to start new initiatives and as well as maintain existing programs. Acting
much like a community foundation, students that are a part of the program evaluate grant proposals to
determine which local non-profits will receive the Common Good Grants each spring. The purpose of the
program is to provide students the opportunity to learn about grants, foundations and philanthropy while
becoming familiar with local non-profit organizations.
Participating in the Common Good Grant program is a rewarding and educational experience for the
members of both the grant and development committees, as they are able to take part in the philanthropic
process from beginning to end. Not only designed to strengthen the bonds between Bowdoin College and the
greater Brunswick community by honoring local non-profits, the program also empowers students by helping
them to make a difference in their community through an educational experience.
Grant Committee
Each fall, twelve students are selected to be on this committee. Meeting weekly, the students determine the year's criteria
for grant recipients, design and publicize the application, and send it out to interested organizations in mid-December.
Before applications are submitted in mid-February, students participate in a grant writing workshop and conduct site
visits to past recipients. 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.
Development Committee
Started in 2004, this committee works to raise funds to add to the $10,000 yearly grant base. Serving on the
Development Committee provides a unique opportunity for eight students to participate in a strategic fundraising
initiative to benefit local non-profits. Not only do participants work to raise additional funds for the existing grant
base, they also increase their understanding of non-profit organizations and gain key fundraising skills in the process.
Meeting weekly, the group develops a case to solicit donations. In pairs, students meet with potential donors in the
spring. All funds raised are then added to the Common Good Grant, expanding the number of community projects
supported.
Application
Common Good Grant Program applications are due by email to Nhi Nguyen (nnguyen@bowdoin.edu) by
11:59 pm on Sunday, September 21. For further questions regarding the application form or the Common
Good Grant Program in general, contact Nhi or leaders Michelle Johnson ’15 (mjohnson@bowdoin.edu) or
Adrienne Chistolini ’15 (achistol@bowdoin.edu).
Meetings are held weekly on Wednesdays from 8 PM – 9:30 PM. The first meeting will be held on
Wednesday, October 1.
For more information about the program and a list of previous grant recipients, visit our webpage at:
http://www.bowdoin.edu/mckeen-center/service-leadership/common-good-grant/index.shtml
MCKEEN CENTER FOR COMMON GOOD, BOWDOIN COLLEGE, BANISTER HALL
Meeting Topics
Week 1
Orientation to the Program/Introduction to Philanthropy & Non-Profits
Week 2
Focus on Midcoast Maine Region
Fall break
Week 3
Common Good Grant Program Retreat
Donor Cultivation
Week 4
Philanthropy in Maine
Begin site visits with past recipient organizations
Week 5
Non-profit Panel/Continue Site Visits
Week 6
Debrief site visits/Review RFP
Thanksgiving Break
Week 7
Overview of Spring Semester
Winter Break
Week 8
Stewardship
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 (Grant Committee)
Meet with potential donors (Development Committee)
Spring Break
Site visits to grant finalists
Week 14 & 15
Determining Final Awards (Grant Committee)
Stewardship (Development 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 Program
PART A:
Name: __________________________
Year of Graduation: ________
Email: __________________________
SU Box:
Phone: __________________________
Anticipated Major(s): ___________________
Hometown: ______________________
Program Preference (please rank):
____ Grant Committee
____ Development Committee
____ 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 hope to gain from this experience, and what
contributions, including previous experiences, can you bring to the committee(s)?
(Feel free to discuss anything you deem relevant, such as past experiences, special skills, qualifications, and interests)
Past participants please add: What did you learn from your participation in the past? What would
you like to learn more about? How can your participation benefit the program this year?
PART D:
As a member of the Common Good Grant or Common Good Grant Development Committees, you must
be able to participate in the following:
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Weekly committee meetings: Wednesdays, 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm, beginning October 1
Common Good Grant Retreat: Sunday, October 19, 10am – 4pm
Site visits to past Common Good Grant recipient organizations: mid-November
Site visits to grant finalists: early and late March (before/after spring break)
Common Good Grant Decision Day: Sunday, March 29, 12 – 5 pm
Recipient Awards Ceremony: Wednesday, April 8, 7 – 9 pm
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 Development Committee and I am willing to meet these
obligations.
______________________________________
Signature
_________________
Date
MCKEEN CENTER FOR COMMON GOOD, BOWDOIN COLLEGE, BANISTER HALL