Green Mountain Coffee and Ashoka’s Changemakers have launched “Revelation to Action: Your Place. Your Idea. Your Change,” a new competition designed to identify and help fund innovative ideas that strengthen and improve communities in Maine, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.

Innovative solutions for motivating local citizens to build a better community may be submitted or nominated until April 21, 2010. The competition will consider all entries that reflect the theme of the competition, that demonstrate groundbreaking solutions that inspire others to help make their community a better place to live, and that indicate growth beyond the stage of idea, concept, or research. At a minimum, entries should be at the demonstration stage and indicate success. Entries must be submitted in English.

The competition is open to all types of individuals and organizations operating in the eligible states. Individuals or organizations not from the region must have local operations or partners on the ground in these states.

The three Changemakers competition winners — the finalist individuals or organizations that receive the most votes during the public voting phase — will each receive a cash prize of $5,000. The seven state winners — the best entry from each of the eligible states — will also receive cash prizes of $5,000. Nominators are also eligible for prizes. Visit the Changemakers website for complete program.

The University of Pittsburgh has launched an initiative called the Hesselbein Global Academy for Student Leadership and Civic Engagement http://www.hesselbein.pitt.edu. It aims to inspire, develop, and reward accomplished student leaders to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

A core program of the academy is the Hesselbein Student Leadership Summit to be held July 10-13, 2010 in Pittsburgh, PA. Fifty students are selected to receive advanced leadership training from mentors who are distinguished professionals in the corporate, nonprofit, military, and social sectors.

If selected, the academy covers the cost of room, board, registration, and provides $200 in travel assistance. The online application is currently open at http://www.hesselbein.pitt.edu/student-leadership/overview.php. The application deadline is April 18, 2010. Please contact Angela Miller McGraw at angelamm {at} pitt(.)edu or 412-624-5203 if you have any questions.

http://www.leadertoleader.org/dialogues

Now in its second year, True Hero, Inc. sponsors an internet-based competition that will grant 15 awards totaling $25,000 to schools for the student community service projects receiving the most votes at www.truehero.org during the current school year.

Now in its second year, True Hero, Inc. sponsors an internet-based competition that will grant 15 awards totaling $25,000 to schools for the student community service projects receiving the most votes at www.truehero.org during the current school year.

Now in its second year, True Hero, Inc. sponsors an internet-based competition that will grant 15 awards totaling $25,000 to schools for the student community service projects receiving the most votes at www.truehero.org during the current school year.

2010 IARSLCE Annual Conference
International Perspectives: Crossing Boundaries through Research
Indianapolis, IN

Co-hosted by Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and Indiana Campus Compact

The International Association for Research on Service Learning and Community Engagement would like to announce a Call for Nominations for three awards, to be presented at the 2010 IARSLCE Conference in Indianapolis, IN. Please see our Conferences and Awards Page for complete nomination information.

• The Research Award recognizes any researcher who has a distinguished record of research and scholarly contributions on service-learning and community engagement.
• The Early Career Research Award recognizes outstanding early career contributions to scholarship on service-learning and community engagement.
• The Dissertation Award recognizes a dissertation that advances research on service-learning and/or community engagement through rigorous and innovative inquiry. .

Complete applications for the Research and Early Career Research Awards must be received by April 30th, 2010. Complete applications for the Dissertation Award are due by June 30, 2010. The award recipient will be notified in early June. The award recipient receives an invitation to make a presentation at the annual IARSLCE conference, a plaque (to be presented at the conference), and a monetary award in the form of complimentary IARSLCE conference registration and accommodation.

The NC State University Center for Student Leadership, Ethics & Public Service (CSLEPS) and Stop Hunger Now, a non-profit hunger relief organization, will present the award annually to a student from a U.S. based college or university. .

Award Criteria:

• Must be an enrolled student at an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution
• Demonstrated leadership in the fight against hunger
• Commitment to a life of service in the area of hunger, poverty reduction or related area

Stop Hunger Now will provide a cash award for the recipient to use towards an educational experience that will advance their knowledge and understanding of hunger and related issues.

More information regarding the application process available at http://www.stophungernow.org/Clinton_Hunger_Leadership_Award

Sponsoring Organizations:

Stop Hunger Now www.stophungernow.org

NC State University/CSLEPS www.ncsu.edu/csleps

If you have any questions, please contact Mike Giancola at mike_giancola {at} ncsu(.)edu, (919) 513-0235.

The annual Student Leadership Awards recognize student groups who have made a difference in the world through service and philanthropic activities, both domestic and international activities will be recognized. The Jenzabar Foundation is accepting submissions from institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, religious organizations and self-nominations from students for their community service or humanitarian efforts during the current, 2009/2010, or previous, 2008/2009, academic year. A $5,000 grant is included with the recognition to support the student or group’s future humanitarian endeavors.

Past award honorees included a wide range of impressive achievements. Some previous recipients include The Wartburg College Feed My Starving Children Project, Engineers for a Sustainable World at Harvey Mudd College, Flagler College Students in Free Enterprise, The Student Philanthropy Project at Grove City College, and many more (see information on past winners at www.thejenzabarfoundation.org).

Nominations are open for students enrolled in any accredited institution of higher education and can be submitted by individuals, educational institutions, or nonprofit organizations that have produced work consistent with the mission of The Jenzabar Foundation: to recognize and support the good works and humanitarian efforts of student leaders serving others across the global community.

Additional criteria and nomination process information may be found on the Jenzabar Foundation Web site at www.thejenzabarfoundation.org. Submissions will be accepted online only. The first step in the submission process is joining The Jenzabar Foundation Community Network at http://www.thejenzabarfoundation.org/ICS/Join_Us/ and using the referral code: SLA2010. Once registered, applicants will be advised of the submission procedure. Nominations are due by March 31, 2010.

Evaluation of nominees will be based on the content of submissions spotlighting the positive impact and value the group or project has brought to the beneficiaries of its service. The honorees will be announced at Jenzabar’s Annual Meeting (JAM 2010), to be held in June in Orlando, Florida.

The Jenzabar Foundation seeks to foster a culture of service and to educate and inspire future generations to create a better world. The Foundation has funded more than 300 colleges and universities and student-led campus groups through its annual student leadership awards and other grant programs.

About The Jenzabar Foundation
The Jenzabar Foundation issues grants to institutions of higher education and other charitable organizations with similarly aligned missions, and helps promote the activities of grant recipients within their communities and on a global level. The Jenzabar Foundation is a charitable and educational organization that received its initial funding from Jenzabar, Inc., but is now seeking financial support from the general public. Foundation grants are managed by the Foundation itself or through cooperating educational organizations. For more information please visit www.thejenzabarfoundation.org.

The award will be presented annually to a student from a U.S. based college or university. Stop Hunger Now will provide a cash award for the recipient to use towards an educational experience that will advance their knowledge and understanding of hunger and related issues.  The award will be presented at the Hunger Summit at Auburn University on Feb 26-28, 2010.

More information about the award and how to apply are available at http://www.ncsu.edu/csleps/service/clinton_2009_information.htm

The TIAA-CREF Hesburgh Award and $20,000 is presented to the college or university judged to have, among those submitted, the most effective program that enhances undergraduate teaching and student learning.

Deadline for Submission is Monday, November 30, 2009!

The Senior Corps and AmeriCorps awards will be presented to the winners during special ceremonies at the 2009 National Conference on Volunteering and Service, June 22-24, in San Francisco, CA. The Learn and Serve America awards will be presented at the National Youth Leadership Conference, March 18-21, in Nashville, TN. Nominations are currently being sought, and nominees must exemplify the spirit of national service, demonstrate exceptional service or leadership, and serve as role models for others in their community.

Throughout its history, the United States has been marked by the capacity of citizens to solve social problems through their own initiative. Americans come forward to organize volunteer and non-profit action to improve American society. Winners of this award will exemplify this tradition.

Applicant organizations are assessed according to the following criteria:

• Energetic founding leaders;
• Strong vision;
• Committed volunteers;
• Creative, entrepreneurial ways of conceiving and meeting goals;
• Significant private sector financial support;
• Sustainability or permanence;
• Clear, measurable results;
• Commitment to sustaining the vitality of civil society.

All nominations are submitted to the Social Entrepreneurship Selection Committee. After review and discussion, the Committee selects a small group (up-to-ten) as finalists. A representative of the Manhattan Institute visits each of these finalists. The Committee then makes the final selections.

Recognition is reserved for those organizations whose guiding purpose and function stem from private initiatives and ideas. However, accepting government funds does not, in itself, preclude consideration.

The award recognizes the creative energy of the non-profit sector by highlighting new ideas and approaches even by mature organizations.

Any non-profit organization that provides a direct service within the continental United States to address a public problem can be nominated for this award. Examples of the types of organizations we want to recognize include:

• Private social service groups that assist poor families with housing, health care, job training, and other similar needs;
• Reformative organizations that help people cope with moral or psychological problems, such as drug addiction or criminal behavior;
• Education groups that through mentoring, counseling, or other after-school programs improve children’s educational achievement and possibilities;
• Community groups that improve the quality-of-life in their neighborhoods;
• Conservancies that use private donations from corporations or individuals to purchase land and preserve it from development.

Non-profit organizations that engage in political advocacy or that bring legal actions, or whose primary activities are in response to government RFPs are not eligible for this award, nor are individual charter or private schools.

Annually, up to five awards of $25,000 are presented at the Social Entrepreneurship Awards Dinner in New York City. In addition, the Manhattan Institute also awards one $100,000 grand prize—The William E. Simon Award—in recognition of long-time achievement in Social Entrepreneurship.