Mini-Grants

Do Good Mini-Grants has a competitive selection process. We welcome applications from any team working on social or environmental impact. This year, our priority focus areas are as follows: 

• New or Emerging Teams - Teams that have formed in the last two years, and/or teams that have not previously received a Mini-Grant or other funding from Do Good.
• Community-Centered Initiatives - Teams that have established community partnerships or extensive stakeholder engagement to show their initiative is welcome and needed.

• Our next cohort of Mini-Grants will be offered in Fall of 2023. Stay tuned for more details!

Submit an application through WiseHive

• The application period has closed. 

Be available for follow-up on your application (if needed)

• Mini-Grant applications are read by a team of reviewers the week following the application deadline.
• If there are clarifying questions about your application, you may be asked to respond over email, phone, or video chat. If you fail to respond, your application may be disqualified.

Receive an award notification and attend an orientation

• If selected to receive a Do Good Mini-Grant, you will receive an email with your Award Notification Letter attached.
• Recipients will need to attend a virtual Do Good Mini-Grant Orientation session to learn about fund requirements and disbursement options.
• After attending Orientation, selected teams will have four weeks to submit their payment information and sign the Final Grant Award Letter to receive the Mini-Grant. Failure to do so may result in forfeiting the grant.

• Proposals must focus on addressing a social or environmental cause with a clear action plan. 
• Proposals can be submitted by an individual or a team/organization. Teams may be new or existing (such as student organizations, fraternities or sororities, or academic programs). If your team or organization involves students at other universities, the leadership and the team must be at least 50% UMD students to qualify.
• Applications must have a designated Lead Applicant. The Lead Applicant must be a full- or part-time degree-seeking student at the University of Maryland.
• Lead applicants will be the main contact person for all ​Do Good communications​, notifications, and questions. ​Lead Applicants will take primary responsibility for receiving and responding to all correspondence.
• Proposals, projects, or ventures must be student-led and student-run. Faculty, staff, and external partners are encouraged to serve strictly as advisors or mentors.
• Teams should consider consulting mentors, community partners, or industry experts with unique knowledge and experience in the field related to the proposal, project, or venture before submitting their applications, to get feedback on their work and ideas.
• The Do Good Institute has authority to determine eligibility for all submissions. 

• Recipients agree to use funds for expenses that advance the development of your proposal, project, or venture. Some examples of eligible expenses include materials/supplies, catering, venues, building of prototypes, research expenses, and consultation expenses (legal, marketing, design).
• Awards may not be used for tuition, textbooks, business meals/entertainment, personal computers, or salaries/wages for team leaders, team members, advisors, or mentors.
• Awards may not be used as a direct donation or dues to an organization, such as a nonprofit partner, a national chapter, sponsor site, or other entity. DGI staff reserve the right to decide whether or not expenses are acceptable for the use of all awarded funds.

The following activities are required of selected Mini-Grant Teams over the academic year to provide clear communication and expectations, and to help make sure your team's activities are getting the support they need to be successful.

• Have at least one member of the team attend Orientation.
• Submit all payment information and other paperwork  by the due date.
• Review the Do Good Community Code of Conduct. 
• Complete at least one coaching session with a member of the Do Good team for feedback and updates on your activities.
• Submit brief update reports when requested.

Failure to complete these terms may result in forfeiting Mini-Grant funds or disqualifications from future funds. If you have any questions about these activities, please reach out to Catherine at ccurtis5@umd.edu.