U-M Student resources

WHY PROJECT INSPIRE IS IMPORTANT

Project Inspire understands K-12 educational outreach programs can have a significant impact in college access such as: grades, standardized-test scores, course selection, lack of resources, and support in the high school. Project Inspire collaborates with U-M student organizations who provide K-12 educational outreach programs. Project Inspire offers interactive and meaningful training activities that center on best practices to ensure student groups have the skills to:

• Inform through engagement strategies designed to support an equity lens
• Engage with diverse K-12 student groups by building positive relationships
• Inspire effective and sustainable partnerships with school personnel in under-served communities

HOW PROJECT INSPIRE WORKS

Whether you are just starting out or your organization has been working with under-served communities for years, we provide both training and financial support to enhance your K-12 outreach initiatives.

• Training: CEO offers a variety of training sessions by request to any U-M student organization. 
• Funding (PI Grants): CEO encourages PI Grant applications from undergraduate student organizations for outreach projects and activities focused on information and exposure; talent development; educational enrichment; or leadership development. The grant can provide up to $500 for individual student organizations. Student organizations who successfully complete two PI training sessions can also be awarded funding up to $1,200. Upon successful completion of the two training sessions, an organization is considered eligible for the maximum amount within a two-year time frame. The grants are offered on a rolling basis until all funds are awarded for the academic year.

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE PROJECT INSPIRE GRANT

CEO encourages grant applications from undergraduate student organizations for outreach projects and activities focused on:

• Information & Exposure: Programs provide educational information and expose the K-12 population to the experiences and possibilities provided by higher education.
• Talent Development: Programs focus on developing academic interests and abilities among students for specific fields or disciplines (i.e. Engineering, Writing, Mathematics, etc.).
• Educational Enrichment: Programs support existing educational pursuits, including tutoring programs, SAT preparation, field experiences, accelerated learning, career exploration, etc.
• Leadership Development: Programs assist students in developing and honing leadership skills that will help them to be successful in post-secondary education.

All applicants will be notified via e-mail of the funding decision within 10 business days of their submission. If awarded funding, applicants must respond and accept funding within 3 business days of the award. Upon receipt of award acceptance, applicants will be provided with the next steps via email.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

All organizations receiving funding must be recognized as Sponsored Student Organizations (SSO) or Volunteer Student Organizations (VSO). All recipients are required to acknowledge support from the U-M Center for Educational Outreach on all publicity materials. All organizations receiving funding must be in compliance with the University Policy on Minors and be able to provide proof of compliance prior to the event. For more information about the University Policy on Minors, visit Children on Campus. At the time of notification of award, recipients must complete a standard reporting form that includes an itemized budget. All recipients must submit a final post-event form within 10 days after the conclusion of the event or activity, accompanied by receipts or proof of purchase for all budgetary items.

Funds will not be provided for:

• Organizations with a consistent base of substantial funding (e.g. Michigan Student Assembly or Project Serve)
• Personal requests ( i.e. Alternative Breaks, conference attendance)
• For-profit events

Priority will be given to:

• First-time applicants
• Well-written grant applications
• Applications of merit that assist in creating a pipeline for K-12 to higher education

ABOUT PROJECT INSPIRE TRAINING

With an emphasis on building practical skills for developing and implementing outreach programs, Project Inspire training will provide engaging scenarios and resourceful information to enhance outreach programs for diverse populations.

TRAINING SESSIONS OFFERED AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Training Session #1: Tell Your Story – Change A Life

Participants will: 1) Identify, structure and shape their personal/organizational story to positively impact their audience 2) Reflect on their story to guide the search for the right school/community partner 3) Understand how their own biases can affect the perceptions of others

Training Session #2: Successfully Securing School Buy-in

Participants will: 1) Identify how to approach partnerships with a community service mindset by putting their needs first 2) Understand how to use clear and concise messaging when communicating program ideas/resources to the school/community partner 3) Learn how to identify bi-directional benefits for their organization and their school/community partner

Training Session #3: Creating Dynamic Programming for Diverse K-12 Youth

Participants will: 1) Connect current practices to create dynamic and engaging outreach programming 2) Develop skills for adapting and responding during times of program uncertainty 3) Explore strategies on how to create a respectful and inclusive learning environment

Training Session #4: Nuts and Bolts – Five Leadership Styles for Effective Program Execution

Participants will: 1) Demonstrate understanding the five leadership styles and when to utilize each style in a given situation 2) Recognize when and why one should delegate various roles/responsibilities 3) Learn key strategies to create effective, realistic and measurable team goals

Training Session #5: Developing a Post-Program Action Plan

Participants will: 1) Learn various assessment methods on how and when to gather feedback from stakeholders to inform future programming efforts. 2) Design a succession plan for student leadership transitions, with a focus on guiding partner sustainability efforts.