6 Things You Can Do with an Honors in Action Grant

Honors in Action goes far beyond typical community service, but undertaking a project can be daunting, particularly for small chapters or those who have never before participated. Done well, an Honors in Action Project makes a lasting impact in your community.

You’ll benefit, too. This program is a primer in conducting deep investigations typically seen in your junior and senior years of college. And, at the same time, you’ll practice many skills needed by today’s employers, such as critical thinking, leadership, problem solving, communication, and the ability to work effectively with others.

A grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation is helping us expand Honors in Action so that it’s more inclusive and accessible. Chapters who need a financial boost to help complete an Honors in Action Project can apply now for a $1,000 mini grant. The deadline is September 30, and 100 mini grants will be awarded.

How can your chapter use one of our mini grants? We have six suggestions.

1. Purchase journal articles or books for your academic research. Some academic journals require a paid subscription or fee for full access. If libraries are closed this fall, the books you would typically turn to may not be readily available for free.

2. Offer a small honorarium to speakers or collaborators. If you want to bring in a professional speaker, a grant can cover his/her fee, meals, travel, lodging, or other associated costs.

3. Purchase multiple copies of a book. Once your chapter has chosen a theme, your officers or committee members may want to do some initial reading before jumping into the research. This process goes more quickly and easily if everyone has a copy of the same book.

4. Hire an outside graphic designer to help design and develop marketing materials or brochures. This is especially helpful for a small chapter that’s already stretched thin. Outsource what you can so you can focus on other aspects of your research and planning.

5. Rent lighting or sound equipment to film videos. A phone won’t always cut it, or you may need additional equipment to achieve the high-quality look you want for your videos.

6. Publish your findings to distribute to members of the campus community. The cost of printing your research — or even event flyers — can add up quickly and can be an expense some fail to consider.

Check out the 2020 issue of Civic Scholar to see some award-winning Honors in Action Projects.