Bodwell Center Named Newman’s Own Grant Finalist
Contact: Andrea Gifford (207) 581-4031 or andrea.gifford@umit.maine.edu
The University of Maine’s Bodwell Center for Service and Volunteerism has been selected as a finalist in the Newman’s Own Foundation Campus Community Service Challenge, a program conducted in affiliated with the America East conference.
The Bodwell Center, which is one of nine nonprofits selected as finalists from each of the America East conference’s nine member universities, is eligible to win the Challenge’s top grant of $25,000 from the Newman’s Own Foundation. In total, $80,000 will be awarded to the nominated nonprofits with $15,000 and $10,000, respectively, going to the next two nonprofits. The remaining six groups will receive $6,000 apiece.
The nine nonprofits were nominated by and will be partnered with a student group from each of America East’s members.
The Bodwell Center will partner with UMaine’s Welcome Weekend Day of Service to connect approximately 800 volunteers with 40 local nonprofit organizations.
The top grants will be awarded based on the level of the student group’s involvement with its nonprofit partner, the impact on those served by the nonprofit and the students themselves, the actual mission and programs of the nonprofit, the populations and purposes it serves, and the potential impact of the foundation’s grant.
A selection panel including basketball greats Rebecca Lobo and Dikembe Mutombo will review and vote on the partnerships. The winners will be presented at the America East men’s and women’s basketball championships held March 3-6 at the University of Hartford.