Mini-Grants

• Receive $500 in funding to support your efforts to Do Good
• Get connected with on-campus resources for impact and innovation
• Gain access to one-on-one coaching with Do Good Institute staff
• Access exclusive cohort workshops designed to help grow your team’s impact
• Join our community of changemakers, activists and innovators in social impact  

The Mini-Grants program is open to any individual students or student teams. The specific eligibility requirements are as follows: 

• There is currently not a limit on the number of times that a team can receive a Mini-Grant. However, we encourage returning Mini-Grant applicants to submit new, innovative, reimagined or expanded proposals each year in order to be as competitive as possible.
• Proposals must focus on addressing a social or environmental cause with a clear action plan.
• Proposals can be submitted by an individual or a team/organization. Teams may be new or existing (such as student organizations, fraternities or sororities or academic programs).  Applicants are not required to be a registered or an official student organization with the University of Maryland’s SGA or SORC (Student Organization Resource Center) in order to apply.
• Applicants must have a disbursement option in place at the time of application or have started the process of creating one at the time of application. See the FAQ section for more details on disbursement options and how we can help you create one.
• Applications must have a single designated Lead Applicant. The Lead Applicant must be a full- or part-time degree-seeking student at the University of Maryland. Lead applicants will be the main contact person for all ​Do Good Institute communications​, notifications and questions. ​Lead Applicants will take primary responsibility for receiving and responding to all correspondence. If applying on behalf of a team or organization, we recommend that the Lead Applicant is an individual serving in a leadership capacity, such as a Founder, President, Chair, or other leadership role.
• Proposals must be student-led and student-run. Faculty, staff and external partners are encouraged to serve strictly as advisors or mentors.
• The Do Good Institute has authority to determine eligibility for all submissions.
• Award recipients authorize the Do Good Institute to edit and publish proposal, project, or venture information – including team member information (including names, majors, and other affiliations), impact data, photos, videos, testimonials, and success stories – in web, printed, video, and social media materials. Some teams may be profiled on the Do Good Institute website and may appear in Do Good Institute or University of Maryland publications and other promotional materials.

Students interested in Mini-Grants will need to apply using our application portal. Applications must be submitted before 11:59pm on September 14, 2025 to be considered. 

Prospective and interested applicants can watch a recorded Mini-Grants Information Session to learn more about what makes a great application, the facts and figures you want to include, what you need before submitting, and more.  

If you have more specific questions or are interested in application feedback, we encourage you to consider a live virtual Mini-Grants Information Session or schedule a 1:1 information call with the Program Coordinator.

Check out previously awardees by browsing the collection of Mini-Grant webstories: 

• 2024-2025: Investing in Impact: A Look Inside the 2024-2025 Mini-Grants Program
• 2023-2024: 56 Inventive Mini-Grantees selected for 2023 cohort
• 2022-2023: 22 Changemaking Student Organizations Awarded Mini-Grants
• Spring 2022: 15 Changemaking Student Organizations Awarded Mini-Grants
• Fall 2021: 22 Inspiring Student Teams Awarded Mini-Grants
• Spring 2021: 15 Changemaker Organizations Awarded Mini-Grants
• Fall 2020: Mini-Grants Awarded to Nine Changemaking Student Groups
• Spring 2020: Twenty Four Inspiring Projects Awarded Mini-Grants This Spring
• Fall 2019: 25 Changemaker Organizations Awarded Do Good Mini-Grants
• Spring 2019: 19 Student Teams Receive Mini-Grant Funding to Support Their Work
• Fall 2018: 22 Teams Receive Mini-Grant Funding to Support Do Good Projects and Ventures

Mini-Grants are best suited for proposals that are in the implementation phase of development. In order for idea proposals to be considered, the proposal must have a clearly developed plan to effectively create impact. Teams that are still in the idea phase or are still developing or refining their plans should explore Impact Bootcamp. Teams that are further along in the implementation stage and are currently executing their work may be better suited to being an Accelerator Fellow or participating in the Do Good Challenge.

The review criteria for Mini-Grants are the level of organization demonstrated in the proposal, connection to a social or environmental issue, the likelihood of the proposal to create significant impact and the proposed use of funds.

Mini-Grants funds cannot be used for the following: students’ personal educational costs (such as tuition, textbooks, personal computers or other supplies), business meals or entertainment, salaries/wages or direct donations to another organization. Common expenses of past grantees include: materials and supplies for events or service projects, marketing and outreach costs, venue rentals, guest speaker or facilitator fees, transportation, food and refreshments, printing, technology or equipment needed for program delivery and incentives for research participants.

Mini-Grant recipients can receive funding three different ways. The options for disbursement are:  

1. Student Organization USource (previously KFS): This is the best option for student organizations that are SGA and SORC recognized and have been approved for prior SGA funding. For this option, your organization already needs to have a USource account number (previously KFS number) that you would use to receive your Mini-Grant funds. This method usually takes 1-2 weeks after you submit the correct paperwork to receive your grant.
2. State-Issued Check: This is the best option for individual students, unregistered student organizations, or teams that work with a larger nonprofit. This is the method that Do Good Institute staff can help guide students or teams to create. For this option, your organization needs an EIN (Employer Identification Number), a W9 Tax form, and a mailing address in order to receive a state-issued check. You also need to have a bank account in the name of the organization or business (not an individual team member) that you can use to cash the check. This method usually takes 6-8 weeks after you submit the correct paperwork to receive your grant.
3. Sponsoring Office USource (previously KFS): This is the best option for recipients that work with a UMD office or department. For this option, you need to work closely with a department or office on campus that has a USource account (previously KFS account) and is willing to receive and manage the funds on your behalf. You must discuss this option with an advisor and/or the business manager of that office to make sure there is an understanding of how you will manage your Mini-Grant funds through their office. This method usually takes 1-2 weeks after you submit the correct paperwork to receive your grant.

You or your team may not have any of these financial options yet. Do Good Institute staff are happy to help you set up disbursement options before you apply. We encourage you to reach out to Program Coordinator, Catherine Curtis (ccurtis5@umd.edu) to request support or schedule a 1:1 call.