Weill Student Social Action Grant
The Weill Student Social Action Grant was begun in 2010. It is designed for middle school and high school students who are helping to create a better world. The two grants, for up to $500 each, fund student projects in areas of peace, humanitarian efforts, the environment, disaster relief, or disadvantaged groups. The project can be a fundraiser that connects to an existing organization (such as the American Red Cross) or makes a direct change (such as a neighborhood clean-up.) The grants will give the student funds to conduct the project.
For example, a student wants to host a pancake breakfast to raise money for disaster relief. He has found an organization to donate the use of a kitchen and dining area and has volunteers ready to cook and serve food. However, he needs funds to buy the food and paper goods. Our grant could help him cover the cost of the food so that all profits could go towards disaster relief.
Another student wants to organize a community recycling day. She gets permission from a local firehouse to have a location for residents to bring used computers and electronics. She uses grant money to publicize the event and pay for pickup of the materials from the recycling company.
Qualifications:
Students must be Nassau or Suffolk County residents, aged 12 to 18, and enrolled in middle school or high school. The application deadlines are November 1 for the fall grant and April 1 for the spring grant. For more detailed information about the grant, other qualifications and an application, call 516-741-7304 or download an application here.
Weill Student Social Action Grant Winners
2012
2012: Michaela Beck, Jennifer Gentile, and Michael Garcia of South Side High School in Rockville Centre created an education campaign called “Drinking is NOT a Minor Problem” to inform adults about New York’s social host laws.
2012: National Honor Society students from Westhampton Beach High School: Lydia Frenzel-Sulyok, Augusta Greenbaum (President), Carolyn Prill, and Michael Polan. These students created a playground at a homeless shelter in their community.
2011
October, 2011: Nebiyou Getahun, Jericho High School. “Spike It for Habitat,” a volleyball tournament for Habitat for Humanity.
February, 2011: Austin Borel, Jericho High School, and Alexa Rinaudo, Mepham High School. Bowl-a-thon for Habitat for Humanity.
2010
June, 2010: Yana Cherepashenskaya, Valley Stream South High School. “Angels of Hope” pins and ornaments to support Hewlett House, a nonprofit cancer resource center for patients and their families. Yana is a senior at Valley Stream South High School.
