Washington University Social Change Grants provide funding and support for students to pursue innovative social change ideas and community projects.  The funding helps individuals and groups defray project and/or cost of living expenses, enabling students to devote full attention to the development and implementation of their projects without the need to pursue paid work.  The Community Service Office provides mentorship and support to prospective grant applicants in the development of the project proposals, and to grant recipients in the implementation and wrap-up of their projects. 

Thanks to a number of generous donors, several Social Change Grants are available for students.  The Gephardt Social Change Grant supports international civic engagement or service projects demonstrating capacity for sustainable impact on an identified community issue.  All undergraduate, graduate, and professional students are eligible, including those completing their degrees.

Summer 2010 Gephardt Social Change Grant Recipient

Monis Khan, LA 2011
Karachi Creative Arts Initiative

With the assistance of the Gephardt Social Change Grant, junior Monis Khan traveled to Pakistan to create a comprehensive creative arts curriculum that provides impoverished students at Behbud’s Clifton campus in Karachi to develop their artistic talents and improve their grades in math, reading and science. By working with students of various ages, he taught the older students how to instruct their younger classmates, ensuring the program would continue after his departure.

Click here to read more about Monis' service experience on his blog.

Visit the Community Service Office website to learn more about the timetable and application process for all Social Change Grants.