The Swarthmore Foundation seeks to promote within the College a sense of social responsibility and an understanding of community service by providing funds to faculty, staff, and students to undertake com-munity service projects. Grant recipients may use their awards to create new projects, to purchase mater-ials for projects in which they participate, and to cover basic living expenses while working with social service organizations.

The John W. Nason Community Service Fellowship, established in 1992 by the Class of 1945 in anticipation of its 50th reunion, honors John Nason, president of Swarthmore College from 1940 to 1953. As administrator of the Nason Fellowship, the Swarthmore Foundation awards this fellowship to students who wish to conduct off-campus community service projects related to their academic program prior to graduation.

Past recipients have worked with children in urban and tribal communities; created a community literacy project; worked on homesteading, construction, and farming projects; fed the homeless; worked in low-income health centers and legal aid offices; counseled survivors of rape and domestic abuse; tutored high school students; participated as facilitators/performers in race awareness workshops; assisted refugees; and interned with public interest organizations.

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¥ Faculty, staff, and currently enrolled students, including graduating seniors, may apply for Swarthmore Foundation grants.

¥ Undergraduates only are eligible for John N. Nason Community Service Fellowships.

¥ Individuals who wish to collaborate with others on a service project should submit separate applications, specifying their individual plans within the goal of the larger group project.

¥ The Swarthmore Foundation normally gives preference for grants to undergraduate first-time applicants before graduating seniors making a first-time application. Individuals who have received previous funding may apply, although given the limited funds, it is unlikely that an individual will be funded more than once.

¥ Preference will be given to applicants who intend to work in Chester, Philadelphia or Delaware counties, or in their home town, and to those who have at least two weeks prior experience with the proposed or similar agency. The Swarthmore Foundation cannot afford to cover travel expenses to locations outside Philadelphia or the Delaware County area.

¥ Partisan political projects, proselytizing religious projects, and research projects that do not directly involve community service will not be funded.

¥ The Swarthmore Foundation highly recommends that applicants have at least two weeks prior experience with the agency (or a similar agency) with which they intend to perform their community service. It has been our experience that those unfamiliar with the intended agencies often discover that their expectations do not match those of their supervisors.

¥ All grant recipients are encouraged to receive basic first aid training and CPR certification (both available through Worth Health Center). Recipients planning to volunteer with children are expected to receive both.

¥ There are three funding cycles per year:

Application Deadline For Project Range Decision Made By

October 31 December 15 - May 15 Thanksgiving break

Friday after Spring Break May 15 - August 31 April 1

April 15 September 1 - December 15 May 15

¥ Funding will not be granted for projects already completed or for projects in progress that will not continue through the funding cycle.

¥ Awards generally range from $200 to $2600 per recipient. (This presumes the maximum is for four months of full-time work.)

¥ The Foundation hopes to facilitate the service work of those who have an earning requirement as part of their financial aid package. Those in such a situation should consult with Laura Talbot, Director of Financial Aid.

¥ Applicants may review copies of recent successful proposals, which are on file in the Deans Office and the CIVIC Office (Parrish 294) and the Lang/CIVIC Coordinator's office, (Parrish 289).

¥ Contact Pat James, CIVIC, (610) 328-7320 if you have questions or would like assistance in completing this application.

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Part A: How the Application Process Works

1. Develop your project ideas. Discuss your project with as many resource people as possible, including your proposed agency supervisor or community partners, faculty members, fellow students, members of the CIVIC Office staff, and members of the Swarthmore Foundation Board.

2. Pick up an application in the Deans Office (Parrish 110) or the CIVIC office.

3. Complete your application. It must include:

¥ the basic information cover page

¥ answers to the applicable application questions

¥ a well-developed budget

¥ a letter of support from your agency supervisor or community partner

¥ a signed "hold harmless" release form

Any member of the Swarthmore Foundation Board can read through a draft of your application to give you comments, if given sufficient lead time. Ask in the Deans Office for a list of Board members.

4. Submit your application on time and sign up for an interview.

5. Meet for an interview with members of the Board. (The interview will not be waived for applicants who are away for the semester during the application process. Plan ahead to meet with the Board)

6. The Board will review your proposal and notify you of the decision. If your proposal is approved and all your material is in order, you will be issued a check.

Part B: Your Responsibilities as a Grant Recipient

Before you begin your project:

1. Submit a signed "hold harmless" form.

2. Give an address and phone number where you can be reached during your project.

During your project:

1. Fulfill your project as described in your application. If your plans change, notify CIVIC in writing as soon as possible. If you do not carry out your project, contact CIVIC to return your grant or fellowship.

2. Keep a record of your expenses to be submitted at the end of your project.

3. Keep your receipts for your personal tax records.

4. Send a two or three page mid-project report to CIVIC describing the progress of your project.

At the end of your project:

1. Submit to CIVIC a 3 - 5 page report about your project detailing what you have learned, specific details of interest, and your successes and challenges. The report will be kept on file as a resource for subsequent applicants.

2. Send your expense record (you keep your receipts) to CIVIC, outlining how you spent your grant or fellowship money.

3. You may be invited to make a presentation to the College community about your project.