Citizens Board seeks to spotlight innovative, life-changing student projects

Since 1997 the Citizens Board Changemakers Student Fund has supported faculty, student, and staff projects that enhance student learning and magnify the University of Miami’s impact in the community and the world. The Fund is now open for proposals for the FY 2022 awards cycle.
changemakers hero 940px

In the waters of Biscayne Bay, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science student fellows lead groups of military veterans on citizen science expeditions to restore endangered coral reefs.

On the University’s Coral Gables campus, the Lowe Art Museum opens doors to professional opportunities in the museum field for students from underrepresented backgrounds, with paid assistantships and one-on-one mentoring.

And at the School of Nursing and Health Studies, students learn, through true-to-life simulated scenarios, to recognize the signs that a patient may be a victim of human trafficking.

These three very different initiatives have two essential elements in common: they are student-centered and have potential for impact far beyond the U. And all three were recognized last year with a Changemakers Student Fund award.

For the past 24 years the Changemakers Student Fund, created by the University of Miami Citizens Board and powered by member dues, gifts, and fundraising initiatives, has supported faculty, student, and staff projects that enhance student learning and magnify the University’s impact in the community and the world. 

Now, as Roberta Jacoby, president of the Citizens Board and incoming chair of the Changemakers Student Fund Committee, recently announced, the Fund is accepting proposals for the FY 2022 award cycle. Through the program, the Citizens Board will fund three grant applications, as voted by the Committee. All grant proposals must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m., eastern time, on September 3, 2021.

One $25,000 Citizens Board Sebastian’s Hero Award will be granted to an initiative that exhibits the highest level of excellence by incorporating ways to improve the educational or overall student experience while impacting a diverse student population and encouraging civic engagement.

Two $10,000 Citizens Board ’Cane Crusader Awards will be granted to programs making tangible efforts to improve the education or overall student experience at the U.

“The Fund is very important to me, because it allows our 200-plus Citizens Board members to see first-hand the impact of their annual giving and, at the same time, inspire original, high-impact ideas for future student projects,” Jacoby said. “Last year we received 11 very worthy proposals and we were thrilled with the three finalists. Our hope is that members of the University community are motivated to put their best, most inspiring initiatives forward.”

Established in 1946, the Citizens Board comprises more than 270 South Florida business and civic leaders who actively support the University’s philanthropic and programmatic priorities while also serving as University ambassadors to the community. Since its inception, the Citizens Board has raised an estimated $454 million for the University of Miami.

Click here to read full program guidelines and start an application.