Wright State University Foundation accepting applications for Students First Fund grants

The Wright State University Foundation is now accepting applications for Students First Fund grants. Since its inception in 2019, the grants program has supported innovative ideas that help students succeed, thrive, persist, graduate and begin their careers.

“We are pleased to offer the Students First Fund grants program once again,” said Scott Rash, president and CEO of the Wright State University Foundation. “Our Foundation Board of Trustees is fully committed to the success of Wright State’s students. The Students First Fund grants program gives the board a wonderful opportunity to support projects that further enhance the student experience while reinforcing the university’s commitment to recruitment, retention and relationships.”

All Wright State students, faculty and staff with a creative concept to promote student success are welcome to apply for a Students First Fund grant. Grant applications must be submitted on the Students First Fund website by Feb. 23, 2024.

The Students First Fund grants committee, which consists of members of the Foundation Board of Trustees, will review all applications and make the final decision on how to distribute $50,000 in grants funding. Students First Fund grant recipients will be announced in April 2024, and funding will be available for use in Fall Semester 2024.

“Ideally, we are looking for projects that will become self-sustaining,” said Dave Donaldson, chair of the Students First Fund grants committee. “The foundation board views the Students First Fund grants as one-time seed money to help launch a new program or initiative. It’s been very gratifying to help many innovative projects get off the ground.”

This year, the Students First Fund grants committee received 26 grant applications. Ten of those projects were approved for funding with grants ranging from $2,500 to $7,500. A peer mentoring program to support mental health, a graphing calculator rental program at the Math Learning Center, and new equipment and tools for LakerSpace at the Lake Campus were among the projects funded.

“Being selected for a Students First Fund grant is always a highly competitive process,” Donaldson explained. “We receive applications for so many worthy projects, and it’s never easy deciding which ones to fund. We look forward to receiving applications for this next round of funding and seeing all of the innovative ideas that our students, faculty and staff present.”

For more information, visit wright.edu/StudentsFirstFund.