The Community Engagement Grant Program is introducing two grants: The Community Innovation Grant and the Community Enhancement Grant which are being offered to support members of Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) who truly embody a passion for community engagement by creatively connecting the classroom, campus, and community. Through a juried process, activity leaders will be selected to receive grants in amounts up to $5000. The best proposals are interdisciplinary, promote citizen participation and autonomy, and support student research. These grants affirm and encourage current and future faculty, staff, and student initiatives that embrace the benefits of community engagement for student success, neighborhood enhancement, and ultimately the entire region.
The 2025 grant cycle opens on January 17, 2025, and continues until each grant's respective deadline. See below for the requirements for each grant.
The Community Innovation Grant
Open to CWRU Faculty
Deadline: May 30, 2025
Community Innovation Grants are designed to support innovative collaborations between CWRU faculty and community-based organizations, local businesses, other public institutions or governmental agencies. Innovation Grants are intended to encourage careful consideration of a local or regional challenge. The intention is to provide support to faculty as they seek to create innovative and creative ways to explore the identified community challenge in the classroom. The Innovation Grant is an opportunity to have students more deeply consider how what they learn in the classroom can be directly applied to the benefit of Greater Cleveland.
Application Criteria & Requirements
- The proposal must align with the qualifications of the grant description
- Partner with at least one (1) new or existing community organization already engaged on the priority issue(s)
- The community partner organization must provide a letter of support that describes the nature of the existing or proposed partnership
- Outcomes should connect directly to CWRU student success, link to learning outcomes, or encourage student engagement and retention
- Clearly indicate and define faculty/staff and/or student roles
- Must be able to justify a specific need for funding
- Must advance equity, antiracism, and/or social justice in our community and/or on campus
Additional Preferred Considerations
- Show proposed evidence of the sustainability of the project or partnership
- Help community partners in their research, evaluation, and/or capacity building
- Expand opportunities for scholarly research or creative activities by faculty, staff, or students
- Enhance CWRU students’ sense of community by participating in community engagement projects
- Timeliness of the project (why now?)
- Involve a partnership with another department, program, or center within the university
Application Process & Timeline
- Application period opens January 17, 2025 and closes at 11:59 PM on May 30, 2025
- All application materials (including letters of support and an itemized budget) must be submitted to communityrelations@case.edu by 11:59 PM on May 30, 2025
- The applicant is responsible for meeting the deadline & extensions will not be accepted
- All expenses for the project must meet the criteria in the “Use of Funding” section
- All applications will be reviewed blindly by a jury of five (5) impartial members consisting of: Three (3) CWRU and two (2) non-CWRU representatives. There will be at least one (1) CWRU student member. This jury will be established by the Office of Local Government and Community Relations, and will not be competing for one of the grants
- Awardees will be announced on or before July 11, 2025
- The number and amount of the awards will depend upon the availability of funds
- The decisions of the jury will be final and appeals will not be accepted
- If awarded, the Grant Reporting Form must be returned to the Office of Local Government and Community Relations by May 30, 2026
The Community Enhancement Grant
Open to CWRU Faculty, Staff, & Students
Deadline: March 7, 2025
Community Enhancement Grants are grants intended to support the work of faculty, staff, or student organizations on programs, projects, or initiatives that are new or existing. These projects should exemplify strong community engagement and must occur in partnership with at least one of the following: a grassroots or faith-based organization; a community-based nonprofit institution; local business, government agency/office; or other public institution such as a public school or library.
Application Criteria & Requirements
- The proposal must align with the qualifications of the grant description
- Partner with at least one (1) new or existing community organization already engaged on the priority issue(s)
- The community partner organization must provide a letter of support that describes the nature of the existing or proposed partnership
- Clearly indicate and define faculty/staff and/or student roles
- Must be able to justify a specific need for funding
- Must advance equity, antiracism, and/or social justice in our community and/or on campus
Additional Preferred Considerations
- Show proposed evidence of the sustainability of the project or partnership
- Help community partners in their research, evaluation, and/or capacity building
- Expand opportunities for scholarly research or creative activities by faculty, staff, or students
- Outcomes connect directly to CWRU student success, link to learning outcomes, or encourage student engagement and retention
- Enhance CWRU students’ sense of community by participating in community engagement projects
- Timeliness of the project (why now?)
- Involve a partnership with another department, program, or center within the university
Application Process & Timeline
- Application period opens January 17, 2025 and closes at 11:59 PM on March 7, 2025
- All application materials (including letters of support and an itemized budget) must be submitted to communityrelations@case.edu by 11:59 PM on March 7, 2025
- The applicant is responsible for meeting the deadline & extensions will not be accepted
- All expenses for the project must meet the criteria in the “Use of Funding” section
- All applications will be reviewed blindly by a jury of five (5) impartial members consisting of: Three (3) CWRU and two (2) non-CWRU representatives. There will be at least one (1) CWRU student member. This jury will be established by the Office of Local Government and Community Relations, and will not be competing for one of the grants
- Awardees will be announced on or before March 30, 2025
- The number and amount of the awards will depend upon the availability of funds
- The decisions of the jury will be final and appeals will not be accepted
- If awarded, the Grant Reporting Form (see attached form: pp. 6-7) must be returned to the Office of Local Government and Community Relations by April 30, 2026
For more information, click on the application links.