You are here: American University Student Affairs Leadership & Community Engagement Past Awards
Contact Us
Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Past Eagle Endowment Projects
Explore the rich history and ongoing influence of the Eagle Endowment within the broader DMV community.
2024 SPRING GRANT RECIPIENTS
Cover-to-Cover Project-$970
Project Goal:Despite the premise of the American Dream and the illusion of equality, minority and economically disadvantaged students consistently achieve lower test scores and an insufficient overall education compared to their white peers. This educational disparity stems from continuous and systematic underfunding, resulting in limited access to modern reading materials and supplies. Economically disadvantagedstudents do not have access to modern reading material or supplies, making it harder to learn and worsening the achievement gap in education. The Cover-to-Cover Project aims to directly address the lack of funding for minority schools by providing reading and literacy students at Miner Elementary with the school supplies and books they need.
Phase one aims to refurbish and supply the Reading Partners classroom in Miner Elementary. New and updated supplies will be used during tutoring sessionsto positively impact thestudent’slearning. The supplies needed for theclassroominclude pencils, markers, crayons, construction paper, dice, motivational posters, alphabet charts, personal whiteboards, and erasers. Phase two involves hosting a book fair, offering diverse books to students to foster a love for reading and promote education at home. Each book provided to students will represent theclassroom'sdiversity and encourage the exploration ofa variety ofidentities. This project pinpoints the exact needs of students and gauges their interest and passion for reading development while promoting diversity and inclusion.
Kids Korner -$467
Project Goal:Many children within the DC community face challenges with reading because they lack access to adequate materials, particularly books suited to their reading level. Stories mirroring their unique backgrounds and experiences are particularly compelling, especially those showcasing characters from underrepresented communities and minority groups.Recognizing the importance of representation in literature, the Kids Korner initiative hasbeen launchedto bridge this gap by providing culturally diverse books to public school students in the region.
Through the support of The Eagle Endowment and The Lambda Zeta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the Kids Korner program has taken a significant step forward.Over 300 books were donated tostudents atRobert Gray Elementary School, with each child in grades 2 through 5 receiving a book to take home.Additionally, the initiative provided each teacher with 3 to 5 books to read aloud in the classroom, further enriching thereading experiences of the students.By empowering children with diverse, engaging literature, the Kids Korner program is making a meaningful impact on educational equity and promoting academic success.
Books to Behind Bars-$284
Project Goal:This initiative aims to address the educational challengesfaced bythose currently incarcerated by providing them with much-needed resources and opportunities.Recognizing the significant literacy gap among the incarcerated population, the project has collaborated with the DC-based non-profitorganization,DC Books toPrisons,to fulfill its book wishlist. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics,a staggering75% of state inmates, 59% of federal inmates, and 69% of jail inmates have not obtained a high school degree or equivalent.Incarcerated individuals require access to booksnot onlyfor educational purposesbut also for cognitiveenrichment and personal growth.
Through the support of the Eagle Endowment Grant and the School of Public Affairs Leadership Program, this initiative has taken a crucial step in tackling the educational injusticesfaced by those behind bars.As a result, DC Books to Prisons received 24 books requested by incarcerated individuals, providing them with the resources they need to improve their literacy skills and expand their horizons. By addressing the educational needs of the incarcerated population, this initiative is working to create a more equitable and just society. Through collaborative efforts and targeted resource allocation, it aims to empower those currently incarcerated and break the cycle of educational disadvantage, ultimately contributing to their successful reintegration into the community.
2023 FALLGRANT RECIPIENTS
Farms for ThoughtVertical Farming Event - $1000
Project Goal: Addressing the critical issue of food deserts impacting over 2 million Americans, with 80,000 residents in DC alone affected, this initiative strives to revolutionize our approach to food insecurity. In collaboration with KIPP DC, The Food for Thought Foundation (a nonprofit founded by AU students), and the support of the Eagle Endowment, a vertical farm was procured and generously donated to a high school classroom. Here, students planted their inaugural crop.
A dedicated team of AU students united to seamlessly integrate the vertical farm into the existing curriculum and successfully planted the first batch of 30 crops. Anticipated to yield its harvest within a month of integration, the produce will be distributed to 20 food-insecure students. This initiative embodies a transformative step toward addressing food insecurity in our communities.
Girl Up DMV Leadership Summit - $715
Project Goal:As we navigate an unprecedented progression and retraction of rights for girls and female-identifying individuals, young people have expressed an urgency to fight for justice in their communities. Now more than ever before, young people yearn to not only be invited to decision-making tables, but to collaborate alongside stakeholders to enact tangible, systemic change with regard to gender justice. With the support of the Eagle Endowment grant funds, a summit was hosted at the United Nations Foundation in Washington D.C., bringing together 50 club leaders from the DMV region.
The primary focus of this gathering is to deliberate on the most effective ways to mobilize young individuals in our communities for the cause of gender justice. Across the two-day summit, emerging leaders will exchange insights, delving into the essence of authentic and bold leadership while devising strategies to propel intersectional gender equity at both local and national levels. Attendees will be immersed in educational presentations, panels, and workshops on intersectional feminist organizing, networking sessions with attendees, and wellness activities while hearing from notable activists on the frontlines of the gender justice movement.
SOUL DC College Visit Day - $550
Project Goal: Through collaboration with the Community Based Research Scholars Program (CBRS), this initiative seeks to offer college support to students residing in wards 5, 7, and 8 in Washington DC. Partnering with SOUL DC, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting student athletes, the event convened on the campus of American University to provide SOUL DC students with an immersive college experience. CBRS and SOUL DC participants partook in team-building activities, shared meals, toured the campus, and engaged in discussionsaimed at leveragingresearch to enhance the SOUL DC program. The overarching aim was to empower high school students in DC by enlightening them about the advantages of pursuing higher education and the myriad resources availableto thembeyond high school.
Make & Donate Meal Packaging Event - $500
Project Goal: One-third of the people living in DC don’t know where their next meal will come from. This initiative aims to address the prevalent issue of food insecurity in the Greater DC area. In partnership with the organization Martha’s Table, the event gathered AU students to make meals and donate them to our community. Over 30 students worked to successfully create and package 231 turkey and cheese sandwiches, surpassing the original sandwich count goal. A handwritten note was attached to each meal, and students were connected with further opportunities for change-making, encouraging their dedication to community service. The event gained attention from on-campus organizations dedicated to food security and will be replicated on a monthly basis to continue fighting food insecurity in DC.
Language Liberation / Liberación Lingüística- 330
Project Goal:This initiative aims to tackle the communication barriers and empower immigrant workers within the facilities management department at AU. The program focuses on teaching English to migrant workers, equipping them with essential language skills for self-sufficiency and empowerment, both within their workplace and in the broader community.What distinguishes this program is itscollaborative curriculum development approach, involving direct engagement with end-users to customize content according to their specific needs and experiences.Administered through the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies, this initiative signifies a significant stride toward linguistic inclusion and empowerment.
2023 SPRING GRANT RECIPIENTS
Understanding the Digital Divide -$1000
Project Goal:As part of the SPA Leadership Development Certificate project, the initiative involved raising awareness about the pervasive issue of the digital divide. Collaboration with The Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School included conducting an in-depth assessment of their technological requirements and providing targeted donations of devices. The goal was to address the school's technology gaps and empower the institution and its community with improved access to technology.
Anacostia Youth Media Film Festival -$1000
Project Goal:In collaboration with the Anacostia Youth Media Film Festival, the initiative aimed to cultivate awareness, enhance participation, and secure increased funding for the event. The primary objective was to amplify youth expression while fostering creativity among the vibrant youth community of Washington, D.C. The inaugural event, completed in May of 2023, served as a platform for nurturing artistic talent through the creationof impactful short films.
2023 MLK GRANT RECIPIENTS
Connecting Aramark Employees -$300
Project Goal: Recognizing the presence of Spanish-speaking employees who desire to enhance their English proficiency, a volunteer-based ESL program was launched. This program enables bilingual students to actively contribute by facilitating conversational English learning. To kickstart this endeavor, a dinner event was organizedestablish connections between students and employees, where dates and times for learning and practice sessions were determined. Through this initiative, the aim was to promote language acquisition and bridge cultural gaps within the DMV community.
2022 FALL GRANT RECIPIENTS
LAYCCA College Visit Day -$1000
Project Goal:The College of Arts and Sciences Leadership and Ethical Development Program (CAS LEAD) collaborated with LAYC Career Academy (LAYCCA) to establish an event called "LAYCCA Day at American University." LAYCCA is dedicated to empowering and involving young adults, aged 16 to 24, by providing education to prepare them for college and active community engagement. As part of their community involvement, CAS LEAD students form mentor-mentee relationships with LAYCCA participants. Through these relationships, CAS LEAD students assist their mentors in crafting or updating resumes and cover letters while fostering meaningful connections.
LAYCCA College Visit Day -$1000
Project Goal:The D.U.C.C. (Developing and Using Critical Comprehension) initiative was designed to address the growing concern of misinformation and exposure to radicalizing online content among students in 1st through 6th grade, their parents, and elementary and middle school teachers. The primary objective was to promote digital literacy and cultivate critical comprehension skills, empowering individuals to think independently in a manner that transcends political biases. By fostering a non-politicized approach, participants were equipped with the tools necessary to navigate the digital landscape with discernment and make informed decisions.
2022 SPRING GRANT RECIPIENTS
Mind the Gap - $126
Project Goal:Createan educational social media account to promote the understanding and empathy of mental health disparities. Use the platform to raise donations for a local DC nonprofit called Active Minds, an organization that focuses on youth mental health. Collect donations through the platform, and in-person tabling. At the in-person events, the group members provide rubber bracelets as an incentive for people to donate and to spread awareness.
Racial Injustice - $1000
Project Goal: Create a library that provides access to diverse educational resources in order to help bridge the literacy gaps and access to educational resources to underserved communities. This is in partnership with First Book, Little Free Library, and Mr. Gordon Fletcher. In the library, include resources on affordable childcare, various government program, and books written by people of color. In addition, host a book drive on campus where students can donate a variety of books that will be redistributed in the library.
Volunteer Day of Service - $400
Project Goal:This is a volunteer day of service with student volunteers from American University, helping with an event by DC non-profit organization Community Bridges. The event is an in-person Career Summit for young girls on Saturday, March 19, 2022at Montgomery Blair High School, 51 University Blvd E, Silver Spring, MD 20901, from 9:30am to 3:30pm. This projectaddresses women economic empowerment by helping young girls from diverse backgrounds in the DMV area to reach their fullest potential. By partnering with Community Bridges, this project can help empower the girls to become exceptional students, positive leaders, and healthy young women.
LAYCCA College Visit Day- $1000
Project Goal:The CAS Leadership and Ethical Development Program (CAS LEAD), working with LAYC Career Academy (LAYCCA), creates an event space known as “LAYCCA Day at American University.” LAYCCA aims to engage and empower young adults from the ages of 16 and 24 to provide college preparatory education to become involved members of the community. CAS LEAD students engage with the community by partnering with LAYCCA for a mentor to mentee relationship. CAS LEAD students help their mentors create or update their resumes and cover letters while building a relationship with them. The goal is to ensure that the mentees have all of the tools necessary to prepare them for their future endeavors. The event enables students to view the day-to-day life of a college student and engage in meaningful discussion. The discussion provides an opportunity for the LAYCCA students to ask questions to college students to learn about the ins and outs of university life and the application process.
2022MLKGRANT RECIPIENTS
Immigration Education and Awareness Week - $700
Project Goal: Organize an immigration education week. This includesfacilitating different events/activitieson each day of the week in order to spread awareness about problems dealing with immigration and the current refugee crisis.
Medical Supplies for La Clinica Del Pueblo - $1000
Project Goal:Thistwo-part supply drive works to provide medical supplies to underserved communities in the DC area with a focus on immigrant communities. The first part is a supply donation directly to La Clinica Del Pueblo. The second part of the project is a supply driveon the AU campus.Band-Aids, over the counter medication, and other medical supplies help communities to gain access to medical supplies, especially those in healthcare deserts.
2021 FALLGRANT RECIPIENTS
National Capital Wing First-Aid Training Center - $1000
Project Goal:This project aims to establish a First-Aid training center that would help volunteers and partner volunteers to train at a minimal cost and with increased accessibility. This would greatly support those in the emergency services community, and the funds would go towards First-Aid/CPR/AED training supplies.
Re-Stitching the Social Fabric of LeDroit Park - $1000
Project Goal:The goal of this project is to encourage engagement and dialogue in an increasingly gentrified communitythrough activities such as open mic events, pot-luck style picnics, etc. Today, Shaw/U Street’s community integrity is threatened by tensions arising from a brand of mixed-income living that has displaced or excluded long-term residents both politically and culturally. Consequences have included lower levels of political activity among long-term residents and greater reported levels of cross-cultural resentment. As Shaw/U Street and the rest of D.C.'s neighborhoods inevitably diversify, it's crucial that mechanisms for cross-class communication, education and consensus exist.
Martha's Table - $400
Project Goal:The Alpha Phi Omega's service program intends to engage the AU campus and the broader DC community by organizing a week-long event at the MGC, including an event to collect clothing donations and cash contributions for Martha’s Table. Martha's Table feeds the hungry in DC, engageschildren through their afterschool programs, and runs a thrift store to help clothe those in need. Funding for this service project will go towards purchasing supplies for a sandwich-making event and additional food donations as needed for Martha's Table.
2021SPRING GRANT RECIPIENTS
Food Rescue DC-$900
Project Goal:Partnering with Food Rescue DC, this project aims to combat recent food insecurities due to the Coronavirus Pandemic in the DC Metro area. With this project, the recipient will collect food from local grocery stores and food chains with the D.C. non-profit, Food Rescue U.S. Students will then distribute this food to a homeless shelter/non-profit that deals with food insecurity.
Fighting for Feminine Hygiene-$600
Project Goal:In conjunction with Thrive DC, this project aims to collect feminine hygiene products like pads and tampons. These products will then be donated to Thrive DC which will disperse them to homeless women in the area.
CAS Lead Soul-$600
Project Goal:This project involves a team of students from AU’s CAS LEAD certification program who are interning with DC’s SOUL Program to help them organize and fund care packages to be sent to students. Since this year has been hard with COVID and online classes, this project encourages SOUL’s students to stay motivated by brightening their day with a care package. The contents will include school supplies and sports equipment.
Empowering DC Youth-$1000
Project Goal:Partnering with DC nonprofit, Raising a Village Foundation (RAV), this project consists of providing college and financial aid information to everyone, but specifically DC black and brown youth. This community is targeted due to the achievement gap, which causes students to drop out of school or never progress beyond high school. This project will also provide RAV with school supplies for the students they work with, in order to help close the achievement gap.
2021MLK Grant Recipients
Crash Course to Naturalization-$720
Project Goal:This project focuses on the social barriers that target immigrants seeking naturalization. The funds will be used to hold remote citizenship workshops for immigrants in the DMV area. In addition, by partnering with Ayuda participants will have accessto legalassistanceto answer various immigration concerns.
Everybody’s Classroom-$1000
Project Goal:Partnering with DC Public schools, this three-phase projectwill helpschools bridge the inequities between their students, specifically their immigrant students, by addressing the inequitable resource distribution that immigrant students face as well as enhancing teacher preparation and strengthening the relationships between marginalized students, including immigrant students, and their educators.
Dancing Through Colorism-$1000
Project Goal:In conjunction with DC Public Schools and Horton’s Kids, this project provides a series of 1hourdance centered workshops for Middle and High School students to, create space for embodied conversations about colorism. The workshops key goals are to reaffirm agency, educate and engage local students from varying backgrounds in the DMV.
2020SPRING GRANT RECIPIENTS
Dancespace - $900
Project Goal:Collaborating with dance studios in the DC Metro area, this project works to create a centralized search and booking platform connecting dance professionals with space. Dancespace serves the DMV dance community by working towards empowering artists and supporting longevity of arts organizations.
Backpacks for SJPDC - $1,000
Project Goal:This project collaborates with the School Justice Project of DC (SJPDC), a nonprofit organization that uses special education law to ensure that older, court-involved students with disabilities can access a quality education. SJPDC has agreed to host an informational talk for the AU community while students make backpack kits filled with school supplies and basic need items attorneys could use to easily provide their clients with the necessary physical resources to pursue their education.
2020MLK Grant Recipients
LPTM: Kids on Campus day - $1,000
Project Goal:Partnering with Life Pieces to Masterpieces, this project supports a day long kids on campus day at American University. The goal of this day is to introduce boys and young men that are enrolled in both DC public school as well as LPTM, to the AU community and a taste of college life.
Thank you lunch:Aramark workers at American University-$515
Project Goal:This project works with American University students to host a lunch for the Aramark workers at AU by providing a buffet lunch from Los Hermanos. This lunch, dedicated to the Aramark workers is created with the intention of thanking them for their work, showingappreciation, and improvingrelationships.
2019 Fall Grant Recipients
AU NAACP and College Bound - $237.00
Project Goal:In conjunction with DC College Bound and the AU chapter of NAACP, this project provides lunch to 15-20 college ready DC locals during a visit to AU. The goal of this trip is to showcase AU as an option to local DC students as they usually visit UDC for their college tour.
Hispanic Day Laborers - $800
Project Goal:This project works with Trabajadores Unidos de Washington, DC (Workers United of Washington DC) to evaluate levels of psychological stress among Hispanic Day Laborers. The study aims to determine how they view their level of satisfaction with life, self-esteem, and mental well-being. The research will then be used to connect and understand this vulnerable community as well as assist the community partner with their various initiatives.
2019SPRING GRANT RECIPIENTS
Bridging the Gap for DC Students and Limitless Potential- $450
Project Goal:This project collaborates with DC Public Schools, AU Student Government, Kogod Center for Business Communications, and LaSalle Backus Educational Campus. Continuing and building upon a student-led adopt-a-school initiative, this project funds a one day college visit for students, complementing the hard work happening in the classrooms and transforming it into a visual representation of every child’s true potential.
2019 MLK Grant Recipients
Latino Student Fund Bilingual Library - $400
Project Goal:Working with the Latino Student Fund at the National Cathedral, this grant will help establish a Bilingual Libraryfor the 80-100 ELL youth, (1st-12th grade). This will provide bilingual and culturally-relevant books to expand the library's collection outside of traditional franchise books.
HARCC Oral History Database - $550
Project Goal:This project will fund the creation of the Scotland AME Zion Oral History Database with the Historic African River Road Collection. This collection collects and preserves the history lost during the development of Tenleytown. Working with the Humanities Truck and AU's Archives and Special Collections, this will allow the community to record history that would otherwise be overlooked.
Black Afterlives Matter - $850
Project Goal:This project works with the Bethesda African Cemetery Coalition to preserve the legacy of communities that may be erased by the Montgomery County Housing Opportunities Committee, which plans to develop over the Westbard Cemetery. The funding works with the Katzen Arts Center and the Department of Anthropology to set up an exhibit to showcase the history and support efforts of resilience.
Pads4Learning - $400
Project Goal:In conjuction with ACESWorld and with support from Howard University, this project funds AU students and community members to make 100 sustainable feminine hygeine products for women in Cartegena, Colombia.
2018 Fall Grant Recipients
CIVICS Education Program - $150
Project Goal:These funds helped purchase a Harvard curriculum designed to improve civics education and engagement. The SPA Leadership Club will implement the 8-week program with DC Public schools; starting with the Meridian Public Charter School.
STEM Education for Columbia Heights - $400
Project Goal:This project works with 20 youth in the Columbia Heights Village subsidized-apartments. Using STEM-based project kits that were effective in Balitmore Public Schools, youth from 1st-6th grade will have an opportunity to receive afterschool STEM education.
La Clínicadel Pueblo Volunteer Program - $300
Project Goal:This project funds volunteer management software that will upgrade their volunteer recruitment, activities, and retention. LaClínica del Pueblo offers free, culturally appropriate health servicesfor Latino immigrants recently displaced by conflict.
YouthBuild Classroom Improvement - $200
Project Goal:This project, led by a volunteer educator at YouthBuild Public Charter School, will improve the classroom environment by making 'learning walls' that will engage the student population. As an alternative school for nontraditional 16-24 year olds, it is important for the school to be a welcoming environment that matches it's mission of transforming lives.
2018 Spring Grant Recipients
AU Feed DC - $400
Project Goal:This project provided 100 lunches to the Arlington Street People's Network. With a partnership with the Davenport Coffee Lounge, 22 students volunteered to assemble the meals.
Empowering the Haitian Diaspora Community - $450
Project Goal:This project worked with JetLi transfer, an organization founded by a Haitian immigrant, that helps the diaspora community send money and direct goods to their families in Haiti in a more affordable way that stimulates the Haitian economy.
Thrive DC Donations Room - $450
Project Goal:After volunteering with Thrive DCfor a Community-Based Learning class, these students recognized the need to improve the organization of the donation room. Funds purchased sorting bins and a whiteboard to make an efficient inventory for Thrive DC, whichworks to prevent and end homelessness.
Shakespeare's a White Supremacist - $800
Project Goal:Part of the Fractal Collective, a group that's pushing the boundaries of theatre, the funding secured the . Community feedbacks following performances engaged the audience in a dialogue.
Food Education and Youth Development in DC - $200
Project Goal:This project funded food for a skillshare cooking session and matched donations for a graduation ceremony at Brainfood, an organization that teaches high school students how to cook. AU students participated in the skillshare to exchange knowledge of food security and life skills.
Intergenerational Dialogue on Gentrification - $400
Project Goal:Working with All Our Kids, this project provided the organization with lighting, a tripod, and an art installation which would be used in their Tribe series. All Our Kids encourages youth to unleash their potential through art.
2018 MLK Grant Recipients
Health Literacy in the Sibley Community - $600
Project Goal:AU's chapter of UAID (United Against Inequities in Disease) will team up with a community partner to design and hold six free sessions on different topics on health literacy. Professors in the AU Public Health department will assist UAID in designing the curriculum.
Systematic Flaws & Human Irrationality in the Legal Decision Making System- $200
Project Goal:As a part of a Social Action Project through the SPA Leadership Program, the recipients raised awareness regarding issues in the justice system such as bias and racism with a panel and encouraged attendees to take action to write to their legal representatives.
2017 MLK Grant Recipients
LGBTQ+ Inclusive Sex Education - $400
Project Goal:This grant was used to research, create, and distribute LGBTQ-inclusive sex education. The report is now housed at SMYAL, a local organization that empowers LGBTQ youth and is available as a resource for local schools.
Fostering Positive Youth Development - $600
Project Goal:This project worked with Boys Town DC, a foster home, to provide the youth there with a basketball court. Informed by research on aging out, this community-informed project normalizes the childhood experience. The hoops are insured until 2023.
Blackout: Generation Liberation- $700
Project Goal:This grant was used to support racial justice and youth development sessions held by Blackout: Generation Liberation in the Peace House DC.
Farmers' Art Market- $150
Project Goal:This project was a second portion of the Southeast DC Young Artist show and continued to support low-income high school artists.
Through Refugee's Eyes - $300
Project Goal:The Frederick Douglass Distinguished Scholars program used this grant to host a summit to raise awareness regarding the refugee crisis, host speakers, display artists' work, and fundraise for nonprofit organizations.
Climate Change Event - $250
Project Goal:This project worked with Bruce Monroe Elementary School to make decorative pots and provide the children with plants to take home.
Fall 2016 Grant Recipients
Southeast DC Young Artist Show - $350
Project Goal:This project supported high school artists in Southeast DC, where public schools have limited funding for arts programs. Young artists were able to meet local artists and sell their artwork.
A Public Service Heart for the Homeless - $575
Project Goal:Working with the National Coalition for the Homeless, this project mobilized 14 volunteers and served about 50 homeless men and women with care packages.
Community Garden at LaSalle Backus Campus - $625
Project Goal:The Frederick Douglass Distinguished Scholars program identified a number of goals that the principal of the LaSalle Backus Campus hoped to achieve. To fulfill one of these goals, the students established a community garden on the campus.
2016 MLK Grant Recipients
Dream Big Play Tough - $750
Project Goal:"The Dream Big Play Tough" project is designed to give girls the opportunities to execute the skills acquired in class by beinginvolved in Chess tournaments and training with the required tools. Girls
benefit from learning and competing in chess because it teaches girls how to resolve situations in a tactical manner.
The Peace Project - $300
Project Goal:By incorporating students from the AU community who actively create positive change on and off campus, this project aims to spread knowledge to children in DC with lessons on non-violence and peace in accordance to the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. After the workshops, these children and students will draw and/or write on a quilt square to show what a world of peace means to them. The physical representation of peace learning will be hung in a public space, either on campus or elsewhere, to encourage positive sustainable peace.
Science Club for Foster Children at Monument Academy - $800
Project Goal:This projects implements a science club at Monument Academy, a school designed to provide foster students a tailored education. The after school program will consist of activities about global warming, adaptation and climates and phase change. It will also provide the students the chance to discover a topic they may want to pursue in the future and prepare them to succeed academically.
Cyber Bullying - $300
Project Goal:This project aims to teach a workshop to middle school students at 4 different middle schools. These lessons will teach students about cyber bullying along with how to notice and prevent it. A compliments page will be implemented to show that social media can be used for positive methods and to promote a space of positivity. This will make a sustainable impact as it will start to teach a technological generation about proper use of social media.
Intimate Partner Violence Action Training and Help Strategy - $300
Project Goal:This project of peer-educated workshops proposes to solve the discrepancy in education regarding intimate partner violence within the AU community. By creating a directory and various strategies primarily within Greek organizations on campus, this project will discuss various options available for those who wish to take action against intimate partner violence once it is identified for both perpetrators and victims.
Next Step for Students at Next Step - $500
Project Goal:This project proposes an arranged panel of college students whose life experiences and challenges are similar to the less fortunate students from Next Step Charter School (a school that teaches English and GED tutoring to 16-24 year old). Through the panel, the current students would be able to receive information from experienced sources, and be able to have their questions answered.
Social Capital - $700
Project Goal:This project aims to organize three life skills workshops for the DC Doors organization's clients. The classes will help the clients embrace their human rights by learning to take care of themselves and their children. This will make an impact by leading them to make better decisions for themselves as well as their children to break the vicious cycle of homelessness.
Art Project at Bruce-Monroe - $800
Project Goal:Elementary school children in low-income areas of Washington, D.C. do not have sufficient access to artistic resources and creative outlets, often leaving them uninspired. This lack of inspiration causes children to be more perceptive to negative influences. The goal this social action project is to implement a stronger arts education program into Bruce-Monroe Elementary School. The students of Bruce-Monroe are mainly minority students who come from low-income families. Budget cuts in recent years have caused the school to sufficiently reduce the resources allocated to arts education. The four phases of this project include creating a mosaic mural, drawing pictures for children at the Children's National Health System, inviting renowned D.C. muralist Aniekan Udofia to share his story becoming an artist, and a field trip to the National Gallery of Art.
Fall 2015 Grant Recipients
Kids on Campus Day- $500
Project Goal:This event will be held in April 2016 and will host 250 students from 9 nonprofits (High Achievement, Life Pieces to Masterpieces, Latin American Youth Center, Latino Student Fund, CentroNia, MOMIE's TLC, SOUL, and Reading Partners). Each child will receive a campus tour, participate in educational activities, eat in the dining hall, and receive free books to take home. This event would help the greater AU community in many ways. For the 200+ tutors that DC Reads works with, it is an incredible experience to see their students come to campus. For the other students on campus that see the event taking place, it may spark their interest for community service. It is also very eye-opening to see students that may be under served come to such a prestigious university and realize their own college potential.
SOUL Leadership and Professional Development Day- $500
Project Goal:The aim of SOUL Leadership and Professional Development Day is to assist SOUL scholars with preparing for the college application process and professional life. DC Reads tutors and Alpha Kappa Psi members will prep the scholars for interviewing, help them to create resumes, and edit and plan their college application essays through various workshops
CLASE-$250
Project Goal:Community Leaders Advancing in Spanish and English (CLASE) seeks to create bonds within the American University community by connecting students with workers from the Aramark housekeeping staff. In doing this, student tutors use English and Spanish skills to work directly with these workers to help them learn to read and write in English and practice citizenship skills needed to prepare for the U.S. Naturalization Exam. The acquired knowledge on the part of the Aramark workers then leads to empowerment and social mobility as they gain valuable skills s a result of their tutoring sessions.
2015 SpringGrant Recipients
Spotlight- $600
Project Goal:This project is for at-risk individuals and communities and provides Life Skills education which is necessary for safe and healthy lives and the
Arts education that can provide an outlet for life saving self expression.
2015 MLK GrantRecipients
CLASE- $400
Project Goal:CLASE aims to supply the student-workers pairs with more adequate and available resources that would enhance English-language learning. Getting more English language textbooks would assist CLASE in its efforts to make AU community one of mutual support and empowerment for all.
Light Lights Community Garden- $450
Project Goal:This project hopes to change the way children and families in Potomac gardens eat and think about their diets. For kids who grow up in food deserts without any intervention, they are unlikely to grow up accustomed to or enjoying healthy foods. With healthier diets, health issues like obesity and diabetes can be avoided.
Covenant House: Lunch with Santa- $645
Project Goal:Lambda Zeta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., will
assist Covenant House Washington in their Holiday Event by bring Santa to the youth at this center. Also, they will assist with getting necessary resources needed in their newly renovated Child Development Center.
College Access- $639
Project Goal:This project will be implementing a three-part program for thirty 9th - 111th grade students in DC. The goal of this project is to supply at-risk youth with the equal resources, opportunities, and support as college track students.
Mount Pleasant Civic Forum- $150
Project Goal:This projects aim is to give the community members an opportunity to voice their opinion on issues happening in Mount Pleasant. As well as teach them the available resources that are available to them and the correct procedures to handle situations.
2014 Fall Grant Recipients
Kids on Campus Day- $500
Project Goal:DC Reads Team Leaders needed support to host their annual Kids on Campus Day in April. This event was created in an effort to expose DC youth to a college campus and to provide kids ages 6-17 with valuable workshops regarding education and the importance of academic investment. The Eagle Endowment will support by supplying two books for each child that attends and by having a children author as the guest speaker.
Demographic Study of Day Laborers in D.C.- $450
Project Goal:Trabajadores Unidos de Washington D.C.'s main purpose is to educate and address the needs of the immigrant, migrant, and low income worker community in Washington D.C. metro area. The organization primary mission is to advance and defend the rights and interests of immigrants and low income workers by working together and empowering them to improve working condition of day laborers. The Eagle Endowment will support funding for the resources needed for data collection from the Day Laborers for a future Day Center.
2014 MLK Grant Recipients
Empowering Youth through Green Space- $625
Project Goal:Low-income communities within the northeast and southeast quadrants of the Washington D.C. metro area lack opportunities to build a connection to the environment due to a small number of parks and green spaces in these communities. This project will teach basic beautification skills and anti-litter education to elementary school students as well as provide students with the opportunity to experience large parks and outdoor areas. Additionally, the project will have themes of environmental stewardship and discuss how students can improve the environment around them.
Arts for the Aging: Brandi Rose- $600
Project Goal:AFTA wants to publish a book of original work done by seniors in various AFTA programs. It will give the seniors a chance to share their work and also show work AFTA does in the DC community.
Latino Student Fund- $600
Project Goal:Provide funding to assist low income students in reading, writing, and math help. This grant would pay for workbooks, food, and worksheets for the students and tutors during these tutoring sessions.
Anacostia River- $418
Project Goal:Environmental Sustainability club chose to focus on rampant pollution in the Anacostia River as a direct effect of the degraded riparian areas, or wetland "buffer zones", that line its banks. They believe this is an essential issue to address as American University students as it directly affects all residents in D.C. and surrounding areas.
Cesar Chavez- $354
Project Goal:An activity based leadership curriculum for high school students. It will be twice a week, all of spring semester.
Conzo-zilla- $1,000
Project Goal:The AU Alternative Winter Break to New Mexico City for 2013-2014 will collaborate with local community partners- Norwood Cooperative- on a bilingual children's play entitled "Condozilla" to educate local elementary school children on gentrification and the fight to preserve affordable housing in DC. This is mutually beneficial project provides Alternative Breaks students with an opportunity for meaningful youth engagement and post-trip activism, while lending support to a community organized social justice initiative.
Reading Sidekicks- $300
Project Goal:Our project is designed to provide an opportunity for families to read with their children, and increase the access to high quality literature. We are also interested in building a greater awareness to high quality literature. We are also interested in building a greater awareness by working on a DC links project to show evidence -based learning.
Know the Name Campaign- $800
Project Goal:The Know the Name Campaign is a multi-faceted campaign to end the stereotyping and stigmatization of the homeless individuals in the D.C. area. KNC will incorporate an online campaign, a radio panel of currently and formerly homeless individuals , and a final event at the end of March 2014. Throughout the KNC, there will be the KNC Challenge, which is a pledge for the non-homeless to endeavor to treat the homeless better and to begin conversations with the
homeless, whose stigma excludes them from society.