Community Engagement Support Grant is intended for Faculty and Staff who are requesting financial assistance for specific development or projects relating to community engaged learning. This includes expenses for developing, mobilizing, and implementing joint community workshops, collaborative service projects, conferences, trainings, or other experiences aimed at promoting community-engaged learning and scholarship.
(Rolling mini-grant for on- and off-campus engagement projects)
PURPOSE
The Community & Civic Engagement (CCE) Support Grant provides small-scale funding to strengthen civic and community engagement at SF State. Grants are designed to support projects, either on campus or in the community, that enhance student learning, civic participation, and collaboration consistent with the university’s commitment to meaningful engagement and the public good.
DESCRIPTION
The CCE Support Grant assists SF State faculty, staff, and departments/programs in developing or implementing projects that foster civic learning, community connection, or public service. Projects may include on-campus initiatives (such as voter education, civic leadership events, or student assistant roles supporting engagement activities) or off-campus collaborations with community partners.
Funds may be used to:
- Employ student assistants or interns engaged in civic or community-based work;
- Cover materials, supplies, or modest hospitality (e.g., light refreshments for workshops or community meetings) directly related to engagement activities;
- Pilot or expand on- or off-campus initiatives that build civic awareness, participation, or community connection.
FUNDING
- Awards range from $500–$2,500, depending on project scope and available funds.
- Funds may support student assistant, materials, hospitality, or other project-related expenses. Refer to Guidance: Use of Funds.
ELIGIBILITY
- Open to SF State faculty, staff, and departments/programs.
- Projects may occur on campus or off campus.
DELIVERABLES
- A short end-of-project summary and one photo or artifact showing project impact (will be asked in the Final Report)
- A student or partner reflection (recommended but optional-will be asked in the Final Report).
Applications will be reviewed based on:
- Purpose & Alignment – Project clearly supports civic and/or community engagement and aligns with SF State’s goals for student learning and public benefit.
- Student Involvement – Students are meaningfully involved or benefit from the project.
- Feasibility & Implementation – Project plan, budget, and timeline are realistic and achievable; proposed use of funds (e.g., student support, materials, hospitality) is appropriate.
- Impact & Outcomes – Anticipated outcomes are clear, measurable, and demonstrate potential benefit to campus and/or community.
- Sustainability or Replicability - Project has potential to be sustained, scaled, or inform future engagement initiatives.
The following questions appear in the online application form. We recommend reviewing them in advance to prepare your responses.
Project Title
Provide the title of your project or activity.
Project Summary (100–150 words)
Provide a concise overview of your project or activity.
Project Description (up to 500 words)
Describe your project, goals, anticipated outcomes, and how it promotes civic and/or community engagement.
Location of Engagement
Indicate whether your project takes place on campus, off campus, or both.
Community or Campus Partners
Identify any collaborators involved in your project (student groups, departments, or external partners).
Student Involvement
Describe how students will participate or benefit from this project (if applicable).
Sustainability or Replicability (up to 250 words)
Describe how your project could be sustained, expanded, or serve as a model for future civic or community engagement initiatives. Are there plans to continue or adapt this work beyond the grant period (e.g., through departmental support, partnerships, or integration into ongoing programs)?
Timeline
Outline key steps and expected completion date.
Optional: Additional Information
Include any additional details that strengthen your proposal (e.g., innovation, collaboration, or anticipated challenges).
Optional: Upload CV, Syllabus, or Supporting Materials: You may upload relevant supporting documents such as a CV, syllabus, or examples of prior related work.
Requested Funding Amount
Please select the amount you are requesting for your project and briefly justify your request. (Awards range from $500-$2,500 depending on project scope and available funds).
Dropdown options:
- $500
- $1000
- $1500
- $2000
- $2,500
Provide a brief description of how you intend to use the Civic & Community Engagement Support Grant funding.
List key expenses (e.g., student support, community stipends, materials, dissemination costs, or travel related to the project).
All expenditures must align with SF State policies and may not be used for faculty salary or release time.
Download and complete the Budget Template before uploading it below:
Grant funds may be used to support the following expenses (varies by grant category). All disbursements must comply with established campus policies for purchasing, procurement, reimbursement, travel authorization and claims, and tax reporting/withholding. Upon notification of an award, both grant recipients and their department budget officer will have an opportunity to meet with ICCE to review disbursement procedures, as needed or requested. Funds used must align with the approved proposed budget. Any changes to the budget must receive prior approval from ICCE.
PARTNER SERVICES
Funds may be used to compensate the community partner that works with faculty to develop and implement the grant-funded activity. Funds will be transferred to the applicant’s department/program. The applicant will have to work with their department/college to ensure the Partner Agency has filed a Vendor Data Record, provided a brief scope of work (including estimated costs) and provisional approval from SF State Procurement has been obtained. Faculty must ensure that the community partner completes these details and any subsequent disbursement requirements.
SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
Funds will be transferred to the applicant’s department/program for supplies and services necessary for the implementation of the CSL course and/or civic engagement-related activities.
HOSPITALITY
Reimbursement expenses for hospitality are allowed, if official guests are present, which includes employees visiting from another work location, students, and community members. Funds will be transferred to the applicant’s department/program.
TRAVEL (relating to civic engagement and/or service learning)
Funds will be transferred to the applicant's department/program. Please review the university and your College Travel Processes and Resources (some colleges provide their own travel summary and deadlines).
STUDENT ASSISTANT(S)
(classification: regular student assistant)
- Service Learning Course: Funds can be used to hire a student assistant(s) to facilitate partnerships with service-learning placement sites and support faculty and students enrolled in the course in completing the service-learning assignment. Student Assistants must be currently enrolled at SF State and must be directly supervised by the faculty member. Funds will be transferred to the applicant’s department/program and the administrative staff will set up payroll accordingly (please see related accordion tab: Use of Funds for Service Learning Assistants).
- Civic Engagement/Civic Learning: Funds can be used to hire student assistant(s) to support the capacity building (e.g., planning, organizational development) leading to the implementation of the proposed service-related project. Funds will be transferred to the applicant’s department/program and the administrative staff will set up payroll accordingly.
The SLA will assist in the development and growth of community partnerships, the development of service-learning support materials, and the facilitation of service-learning opportunities.
Examples of student responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:
- Delivering presentations to communicate the purpose, logistics, and context of service learning
- Leading in-class and on-site orientations with the community partner
- Assist with the coordination of student placements
- Ongoing problem-solving, mentoring, and logistical support for student peers
- Collection and documentation of relevant service-learning course documents (acknowledgment forms, completion of hours, risk management, etc.). ICCE staff are available to answer questions.
- Assist with planning and facilitating reflection activities
- Analysis of community partner, student, and faculty mid and end-of-semester evaluations
- If the SL experience is remote/virtual, assist with monitoring and tracking successes and challenges.
Service Learning Assistants are not:
- Teaching Assistants
- Allowed to grade papers or reflection assignments
- Expected to enroll in the service-learning course (but optional)
- Allowed to approve new partners or activities without instructor consent and ICCE risk management & liability processes completed
- Permitted to help develop special projects outside of the scope of normal course coordination
Important to note:
- Applicants must indicate in the budget proposal the desired hourly pay and number of hours to justify the requested award amount.
- The SLA (regular student assistant classification) must be a currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate student at SF State and can assist for up to 20 hours per week for one term (maximum of 16 weeks). (Note: Standard pay range is $19.16 to $20 per hour (cannot go lower than $19.16) and the rate for student hire through this grant can be decided by faculty members but cannot be below the SF minimum wage ordinance).
NON-ALLOWABLE COSTS FOR ALL GRANTS
- Faculty course release time
- Alcohol, receptions, entertainment costs (e.g., tickets to recreational events, gift cards, ball games, etc.), and/or banquets
- Scholarships, gifts, or other prize monies, raffles
- Paying participants to complete a service experience
- Travel Insurance
- Lease of facilities
- Campaigning or political mailings
- Equipment (e.g., printers, laptops, monitors, cell phones)
- Tuition of any kind
- Additional Faculty Pay
Before submitting your application, please review the following requirements for the CCE Support Grant:
- Applicants must be current SFSU faculty or staff
- Applicants may apply to more than one grant category but are eligible to receive funding for only one award. We encourage applicants to submit the proposal that best aligns with their project goals.
- If your project involves a course, you must complete the CSU Community Engaged Learning Tool (CELT) prior to submitting your application.
- For non-course-related projects, completing the CELT is not required.
- Applications for course-related projects submitted without a completed CELT will be considered incomplete.
Applicants are encouraged to reference the Community Engaged Learning Essential Elements in their responses. These elements should inform course or project design, community partnerships, reflection activities, and assessment strategies. Please refer to the ICCE Community-Engaged Learning Course Designation Overview for additional guidance on using the CELT Tool and understanding the Community Engaged Learning Essential Elements (CELEs).
Grant funding is contingent upon continued support from the CSU Chancellor’s Office Call to Service Initiative.