Funding Opportunities

The Office of Multi–Ethnic Student Affairs (MESA) and the William Monroe Trotter Multicultural Center (TMC) offer grant opportunities to student organizations for the purpose of developing programs, events, and activities that foster intercultural leadership and strengthen community development. In alignment with MESA/TMC's mission statement – to promote student development and empower the campus community around issues of diversity and social justice through the lens of race and ethnicity – proposed programs should engage and empower students in all their identities and embody MESA/TMC's commitment to social justice, as we seek to create an inclusive campus for all students.

In order to learn more about MESA/TMC grants and apply for funding, please follow the steps below:

Step 1: Learn About Grant Opportunities

MESA/TMC currently provides three different types of grants, each fulfilling a distinct component of our mission statement:

  • The Welcome Week & Year-End Initiatives Grant—The WWYE grant provides support for programs intended to empower underrepresented or marginalized students; however, the grant is also available to allies who have and will continue to be committed to supporting such communities. Eligible programs under this grant surround: 1) first-year initiatives (programs geared at incoming students that offer support and guidance to participants); 2) welcome week programming/events; and 3) year-end initiatives (graduation/acknowledgement programs).
  • Student Enrichment & Opportunity Grant—The SEO grant aims to foster student initiated programs that educate the broader community around issues of social justice and diversity.
  • Cross–Cultural Community Development Grant—The CCCD grant sponsors cross–cultural programs between two or more organizations that have not typically worked together to foster a partnership, which encourages alliance in developing an effective program that educates the broader community around issues of community–building and social justice.

MESA/TMC goals relevant to grant opportunities are:

  • Develop student capacity for community building
  • Develop student capacity for intercultural leadership related to knowledge areas and behavioral skills
  • Develop student capacity for professional skills related to written and verbal communication

FAQ's are provided to clarity the expectations, criteria, and requirements for the grant's process.

Step 2: Apply

The Grants Committee reviews proposals weekly and uses the criteria and requirements listed in the FAQ's section to decide level of funding and subsequent use of funding. Proposals are submitted on a rolling basis, until the absolute deadline for each grant type, if applicable. Proposals are due NO LESS than 21 days before the scheduled date of the project. Proposals submitted less than 21 days before project date will NOT be considered.

Decisions of the Grant Committee are final. Organizations will hear back from the Grant Committee within two weeks of the proposal submission date.

  • Welcome Week & Year–End Initiatives
    The deadline for WWYE grants are as follows:
    • Welcome Week Initiatives
      • Deadline: August 21, 2009
    • Year–End Initiatives
      • Deadline: March 19, 2010
  • Student Enrichment & Opportunity Grant
    The SEO grant operates on a rolling basis.
  • Cross–Cultural Comunity Building Grant
    Two or more organizations must jointly submit one project proposal. In order to be eligible for funds, at least one organization must be an MSA registered organization (with an SOAS account) and be a Voluntary Student Organization (VSO) with SAL.

    One member of each organization involved in a potential partnership MUST attend a "Partnership Capacity Building Workshop" sponsored by MESA, which further outlines the expectations of a partnerships and address issues that might arise from working collaboratively, BEFORE submitting a proposal. The CCCB grant operates on a funding cycle with 5 rounds, based on workshop attendance. See the chart below for dates and location:
    • Round Call for Proposals Announced Partnership Capacity Building Workshop 6:00-8:00pm at Trotter Proposals Due to MESA Office (2202 Michigan Union) by 5pm on Funding Decisions Announced
    1 Wed., September 9th Wed., September 23rd Mon., October 5th Fri., October 9th
    2 Wed., October 7th Wed., October 21st Mon., November 2nd Fri., November 6th
    3 Wed., November 4th Wed., November 18th Mon., November 30th Fri., December 4th
    4 Wed., January 6th Wed., January 20th Mon., February 1st Fri., February 5th
    5 Wed., February 3rd Wed., February 18th Mon., March 1st Fri., March 5th
    6 Wed., March 3rd Wed., March 17th Mon., March 29th Fri., April 2nd

Step 3: Post–Event Report & Project Fair

If your project proposal has been granted funding, your organization is expected to submit a post-event report, which summarizes the results of your project, via email to mesatrottergrants@umich.edu WITHIN 30 DAYS of the project date. If post-event report is not submitted within 30 days of program date, your organization will be ineligible for funds for 2 semesters, following the semester in which proposal was submitted.

Additionally, a member of your organization is required to present a brief summary of the organization's project and the project's outcomes at the TMC Project Fair, held twice this year.

  • MESA/Trotter Fall Project Fair: DECEMBER 4th, 2009 @ Trotter Multicultural Center, 1-3pm
    For grants awarded within Fall 2009
  • MESA/Trotter Winter Project Fair: APRIL 24th, 2010 @ the Trotter Multicultural Center, 10am-Noon prior to Trotter Community Festival
    For grants awarded within Winter 2010

Post-Event Report