Providing Funding for Important Equipment and Projects

Since 1999, the Foundation has funded more than $648,000 in grants to RVC faculty and staff for a wide variety of equipment and projects that enhance the learning experience for our students.  To get a better idea of the broad assortment of interesting and diverse grants we’ve funded in recent years, check out our list of grants. 

Unfortunately, we usually receive more requests for grants than we have funds to award.  This year, the Foundation is pleased to be awarding $70,000 in grants. 

For more information or if you have questions, we invite you to call Tricia Sweeney at (815) 921-4507.

Grant Application and Selection Process

The Foundation’s grant process begins each fall. Any RVC faculty or staff member may submit a grant application between September 1 and October 14, 2011.  The application requires detailed project and budget information.  In November, a grant committee of volunteer RVC Foundation board members meets to carefully review all applications and determine the grant recipients based upon an established criteria:

• Impact on college and community
• Potential lack of college funding
• Degree of creativity and innovation
• Support of the college’s priorities
• Level of visibility for the Foundation
  

The Foundation considers all requests.  However, preference is given to academic areas. Key college administrators attend the grant selection session to provide insight and answer committee questions.  College staff is not part of the voting process.  Additional grant guidelines are listed on the grant application (click on the link button below). An updated 2011 grant application is available at the link below and the new grant period begins on September 1, 2011.

Karl Jacobs Leadership Grant

In addition to the open grant process, there is a leadership grant that was originated in honor of former RVC president, Karl Jacobs.  This grant is available to faculty, staff, and students and can be used to fund everything from speakers, programs, and books, to media, training, and conference attendance. For more information click on the Karl Jacobs Grant link below.

• Karl Jacobs Grant

Specific Program Grants

In addition to the open grant process, the following are a group of program-specific grants:

• James and Shirley Waddell/SwedishAmerican Medical Foundation Nursing Program Grant
• John and Roberta Mink Manufacturing/Technology Program Grant
• Dean Olson Memorial Program Grant
• Svenson Lectureship Grant
  

To learn more about current funding opportunities and how to apply, we invite you to call or write to Tricia Sweeney at (815) 921-4507 or T.Sweeney@rockvalleycollege.edu.