Gabe Rysdahl ’11Social Innovation Grant

The Entrepreneurial Grant program awards mini-grants of up to $500 for Social Innovation Projects. Do you have a new social change initiative idea?

If you are interested in applying, make an appointment with Kris Estenson - x3268.

Upcoming Proposal Deadline & Pitches:
APPLICATION DEADLINE: The first round of applications will be due on Nov. 9th!
PITCHES: Pitches happening on Nov. 16. 

If you inquire past the dates above, your application will be accepted on a rolling basis. Please contact Kris Estenson <estensok@stolaf.edu>.

Social Grant Recipients:

Anne Daily ’12
E.G.G.PLANTS (Everyone Gets to Grow Plants)
In conjunction with the Environmental Studies Department and the Food and Nutrition Service Learning Collaborative Grant, Anne worked with faculty and staff at St. Dominic Elementary School to create an organic school garden. E.G.G.PLANTS is a multi-study curriculum for the schools K-8 program that uses the garden as a resource, involving students in the entire process of creating the garden, integrating the produce into the school lunch program.

James Daly ’13
Making Trayless Dining Easy: An approach to reducing food waste in Stav Hall
St. Olaf students dining in Stav Hall throw out roughly 3,000 pounds of food per week. Many colleges have moved to trayless dining because it saves money by significantly reducing food waste. The goal of this project is to make the behavior of dining without a tray easy. First, we will use sociological research to identify any barriers to this behavior. Second, we will work with Bon Appetít to minimize any barriers we uncover. Finally, we will use community-based social marketing to promote this behavior.

Nicholas Kang ’12
Smart Step Youth Initiative
Smart Step Youth Initiative Programs was created to promote positive social change in small communities suffering from social injustices by inspiring, motivating, and engaging everyday teenagers into civic engagement.

Jennifer Nilsen ’13
No Child Left Unsupplied
Jennifer, along with Gabe Rysdahl '11 & Anne Brooker '13 designed a collection system for unused school supplies. The supplies are distributed to local food shelves to assure that all students have access to necessary school materials. High school students who receive leadership training and materials by the No Child Left Unsupplied founders lead the project.

Serena Xiong ’13
Radon Awareness
In conjunction with the Minnesota Department of Health's Indoor Air Unit, Serena will be implementing a public health project that will effectively promote Radon awareness for Hmong and Hispanic homeowners living in Brooklyn Center, MN. The project will involve education on what Radon is and famlies will receive Radon test kits for their homes.

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