Grants and Funding Opportunities

There are several ways to utilize this funding, from student-led, on-campus projects to broader actions in the DeLand/Volusia County area. A small portion of the Bonner Community Fund is also available to support student learning at conferences or conventions if the content can be tied back to supporting community-engaged work in the local region. 

In summary, appropriate use of this funding falls into three broad categories: 1) Community programs, 2) student programs, and 3) trainings. 

Community Programs — These are student initiatives or projects enacted in conjunction with a local nonprofit. Possible examples include: 

• Purchasing hands-on lab materials and equipment to facilitate a science program for Black Homeschoolers of Central Florida.
• Renovating a warehouse into a full-service food pantry with The Neighborhood Center of West Volusia.
• Hosting a career-focused conference for Sisters Build Network Inc students to learn more different types of professions. 

Student Programs — These are student-led service projects, programs, and community-based experiences that align with Bonner Common Commitments and Stetson University values. Possible examples include: 

• Sponsoring a butterfly crosswalk mural painting at Mathis Street and Adelle Avenue in Spring Hill. 
• Curating an exhibition highlighting student study abroad experiences and the importance of community care. 
• Executing a service trip to offer relief aid to a coastal community following a natural disaster. 

Training — These are presentations, workshops, conferences, or seminars with learning goals integrated into a local experience. Possible examples include: 

• Presenting at the American Public Health Association annual conference on the free and confidential HIV testing and counseling provided by Rising Against All Odds.
• Attending the Phoenix Generation Conference in Orlando, FL to learn about promoting civic engagement on campus.
• Going through Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) certification training to better support students at Camp Boggy Creek. 

The Bonner Community Fund can support projects up to $500. Funds must include a detailed and realistic budget. Applications must be submitted before project implementation. All requests will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Alignment with community engagement values
• Feasibility of the proposal
• Community impact
• Budget appropriateness
• Sustainability and collaboration

Preference will be given to projects or programs that demonstrate strong community impact, high levels of community partner collaboration, sustainability, and measurable outcomes. The Bonner Leadership Team (BLT), a group of students leaders who assist in the governance and visioning of the Bonner Program, oversee the Bonner Community Fund process, including proposal promotion, application review, and reporting requirements.  

 Apply for funding 

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis during the Fall and Spring semesters only and reviewed during the monthly BLT Community Fund Committee meeting cycle. To be considered during a given month, applications must be received by the first Monday of that month, excluding Mondays that fall on a federal holiday. 

The Bonner Community Fund will support projects based on available funding and the quality of submitted proposals. With approximately $1,700-$2,000 available per semester, the committee anticipates funding three to five projects per semester, depending on requested amounts, project scope, and available resources.

The committee may adjust the number of funded projects each semester to ensure funds are distributed effectively and support projects with meaningful community impact.

Funding requests may be submitted by: 

• Any currently enrolled Stetson University student
• Any registered student organization or group

Bonner Community Fund money may be used towards: 

• Supplies for a community service project
• Transportation costs for approved service-learning or community engagement activities
• Materials for educational workshops
• Printing and publicity for service events
• Speaker or training fees
• Food for approved community-building or educational events
• Conference registration fees
• Community partner donations directly related to service projects

Bonner Community Fund money may not be used towards:

• Personal purchases or reimbursements unrelated to approved community engagement activities
• Gifts, prizes, or personal items
• Alcohol, tobacco, or prohibited substances
• Entertainment unrelated to educational or community purposes
• Political campaigning or partisan activities
• Religious programming intended to promote a specific religion
• Requests submitted after the event/project already occurred
• Purchases without receipts or prior approval
• Individual personal travel unrelated to service or training
• Salary or direct payment to student applicants unless specifically approved

Recipients of Community Fund awards must submit a final report within 60 calendar days of receiving the funds or by June 1 of the award year, whichever comes first.

Final reports should include:

• Summary of the project or event
• How funds were used
• Number of participants impacted
• Photos or promotional materials (if applicable)
• Challenges encountered
• Outcomes and reflections
• Recommendations for future improvements

Failure to complete reporting requirements may impact eligibility for future funding.

Thanks to the generosity of the Sarah George Trust, Stetson University is happy to support the availability of grant funds to be disbursed through our established community partners in the Spring Hill neighborhood of DeLand. 

The funds must be used to better the Spring Hill neighborhood and its residents in some tangible way. Preference will be given to those projects that could involve Stetson University students and that result in a lasting impact in the community as opposed to supporting one-time events. Funds from the Sarah George Trust have been used in the past to support music and performing arts education, museum development, healthy and sustainable living classes, organizational furnishing and after-school programming.

Community-based organizations looking to apply for funding must 1) be active with the Center for Community Engagement and 2) serve the Spring Hill neighborhood of DeLand or the immediate surrounding areas. Priority will be given to community partners that currently host students in the Bonner Program. Applications are welcome until the last day of November. Decisions will be shared in December/January, with checks disbursed shortly thereafter. Any awarded funds must be spent by June 1. Grant recipients must also provide a report detailing the project/program, including any receipts, to CCE staff by June 15. 

Applications will be reviewed by a committee of Stetson University faculty, staff, and students based on the following criteria: 1) Opportunity for campus collaboration, 2) level of community impact, 3) scope and depth of service, 4) project feasibility, and 5) financial health/use of funds. 

 Apply for funding 

Funds from the Sarah George Trust have been used in the past to support music and performing arts education, museum development, healthy and sustainable living classes, organizational furnishing and after-school programming.

Previous recipients of funding from the Sarah George Trust include:

• Black Homeschoolers of Central Florida
  • Project/Program: Purchased hands-on science materials to deliver their Survey of Sciences Program, which educates youth on the basics of running a laboratory and engaging in scientific exploration and discovery. 
• Hispanic Health Initiatives, Inc. 
  • Project/Program: Incentivized participation in the "Cuidando Mi Salud / Taking Care of My Health" program, which provides health education and supports access to nutritious foods and fitness resources. 
• Museum of Art - Deland
  • Project/Program: Hired a Stetson University student assistant to help implement curriculum and instruction, provide Museum staffing for program delivery, and assess the impact of the program on the community. 
• Neighborhood Center of West Volusia
  • Project/Program: Converted their warehouse into a full-choice food pantry, installing shelving and reconfiguring the space to allow for a more dignified shopping experience. 
• Sisters Build Network for Girls, Inc
  • Project/Program: Hosted a conference for students to learn about different career paths.