Each year the Do Good Institute supports passionate students ready to make a change in their community. Do Good Program Assistant, Folashade Epebinu sat with DGI Program Coordinator, Catherine Curtis, to introduce the next round of Mini-Grant recipients.
1. Can you tell me a little about this year’s Mini-Grants program?
This year, we were thrilled to receive over 90 applications, a clear sign of the energy and passion students bring to creating meaningful change. From these applications, 55 teams were supported, representing more than 4,100 student members.
These students come from a diverse set of academic disciplines, with grantees representing eight schools and colleges including the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, A. James Clark School of Engineering, Robert H. Smith School of Business, School of Public Health, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, School of Public Policy, College of Information Studies and College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences.
Students also participate in several living-learning programs, such as Carillon Communities, Honors College, BioFIRE, FIRE, QUEST, College Park Scholars, and CIVICUS.
The teams supported this year include organizations founded as early as 1906 and as recently as 2025, with membership sizes ranging from 1 to over 400 students. This reflects both legacy initiatives and emerging student leadership, while also demonstrating that whether it’s one student or hundreds, each team has the power to make a meaningful impact.
2. What international challenges are Mini-Grantees addressing?
This year, Mini-Grant teams are taking their ideas far beyond campus, addressing urgent challenges that affect communities around the globe. From rebuilding schools and improving educational access to promoting health awareness, supporting sustainable farming, and amplifying marginalized voices through art, students are leveraging creativity, collaboration, and practical solutions to make a meaningful international impact. These initiatives empower local communities, amplify marginalized voices, and bring global issues into the UMD community, showing that student-led action can have an impact across borders.
People4Tigray is an advocacy club supporting Arena Elementary School in Tigray, Ethiopia, a region severely affected by war and famine. Students are raising awareness, hosting art shows, and fundraising to provide essential classroom supplies, including blackboards and desks, to help children resume their education.
NextGen Antimicrobial Stewards Initiative (NASI) is conducting school outreach across Nigeria to educate students on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and promote proper water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices. Outreach sessions include interactive health talks, group discussions, handwashing demonstrations, and quizzes, empowering adolescents to influence their peers and communities.
ARTiculate Narratives Project is partnering with Kenyan artists on a project that showcases art addressing mental health stigma, gender-based violence, and political injustice. The grant supports artist honorariums, shipping, supplies, and virtual workshops for UMD students, amplifying marginalized voices across borders.
AquaSafe provides hands-on training for farmers in Mbeya, Tanzania, on safe irrigation practices and water testing. Workshops supply low-cost testing kits and practical guidance, empowering farmers to monitor water quality and promote sustainable agriculture.
3. What projects are you looking forward to seeing on campus this year?
Several projects will have a direct presence on campus, allowing students and the community to engage with impactful initiatives:
Hearts for Homeless supports free blood pressure screenings for individuals experiencing homelessness, alongside clothing drives, craft-making sessions, and collaborative outreach with student organizations like the Food Recovery Network.
UNICEF at UMCP hosts a Fall Fest celebrating the “Reimagine Education” initiative, featuring Halloween-themed activities, pumpkin painting, and tote bag decorating. All proceeds support global education access, and the event is open to all students on McKeldin Mall.
Bitcamp invests in student career development by hosting workshops designed to provide students with valuable skills and insights for their personal and professional growth. These workshops open the door for students to engage with cutting-edge technologies, meet industry professionals, and gain knowledge and skills useful for the technology industry. Bitcamp is also a recipient of a Do Good Campus Fund grant.
Camp Kesem, in its ongoing mission to support children affected by their parents' cancer, hosts Friends and Family Day on the University of Maryland campus. This special event welcomes campers back to engage in interactive activities, reconnect with their counselors, strengthen bonds with fellow campers, and continue building a joyful, supportive community. Camp Kesem had also won 1st place in the 2023 Do Good Challenge.
4. Were there any returning grantees from previous years?
Each year, it’s thrilling to see the blend of returning teams and newcomers, creating a mix of experience and fresh ideas. It’s especially exciting to watch returning groups reimagine or expand upon previous projects, while new teams bring bold initiatives and fresh perspectives to the table.
Meet some returning teams and their projects:
Kidney Disease Screening and Awareness Program (KDSAP) continued its mission to expand preventive health access through free screenings in Washington, D.C., while providing care packages to dialysis patients. Their efforts not only offered medical assistance but also fostered compassion and encouragement for those living with chronic kidney disease.
Jackie’s Kitchen carried forward its impactful work addressing food insecurity by hosting large-scale food packaging events during Family Weekend. With the help of campus and community volunteers, the team prepared thousands of nutritious meals for local families, turning service into a shared act of community care.
The Every Child Project strengthened its commitment to educational equity by expanding its virtual tutoring and outreach programs to schools beyond College Park. Using their funding to provide learning resources and host engagement events for tutors and tutees, the team continued to bridge academic gaps and empower young learners.
Among the spectacular new teams is DonateDevices. This organization aims to expand its laptop donation initiative nationwide, helping more than 300 individuals, including refugees and uninsured residents, gain access to technology essential for education, employment, and daily life. In addition, NeuroServe launched a creative and compassionate initiative to support seniors with neurodegenerative diseases through memory and engagement kits. By combining art, meaningful conversation, and volunteer interaction, the team works to reduce isolation and promote emotional well-being among older adults.
5. How are students using different mediums to tackle key issues?
Students are leveraging a variety of mediums from digital platforms and hands-on service projects to creative arts and community events to drive awareness and create lasting social impact. Here are some highlights of teams looking to use the Mini-Grant to expand their reach and deepen their community impact through innovative initiatives:
Dance & Arts
- Terp Thon supports a Dance Marathon fundraising event for Children’s National Hospital, featuring games, activities, and community engagement. Echoish brings music to nursing homes and assisted living facilities, funding transportation and volunteer coordination.
Fundraising
- Muslim Students’ Association (MSA) hosts an annual Charity Gala to raise funds for vulnerable communities while educating participants about social issues. UMD Moksha hosts a South Asian song and dance showcase to support literacy, healthcare, and economic development through Ekal Vidyalaya.
Literature
- La Voz Latina expands videography and special edition publications to showcase student voices. Classroom for Change aims to advance education and social justice by removing barriers to literacy through a Do Good Book Project that covers the cost of books purchased and donated to schools.
Education
- Black Scholars in Biology mentors undergraduate students, hosts STEM outreach events, and offers professional development workshops. Women In Aeronautics and Astronautics hosts WIAA Day for K-12 students to explore aerospace engineering, providing hands-on activities and mentorship.
6. How would you like to see the Mini-Grant program evolve in the next few years?
“In the next couple of years, I’d like to see the program grow into a space where returning teams can continue building on their work in meaningful ways, while also encouraging new students to jump in with fresh ideas. It's important that we support both the evolution of existing projects and the spark of something entirely new. But, as the program develops, I want to see the goal stay consistent - supporting student-led proposals to create impact on or off campus.Catherine Curtis Program Coordinator