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Student Philanthropy and Grants Opportunities

At the University of Iowa, alumni and friends have built a culture of philanthropy that we call Hawkeyes Give Back. This represents a desire to contribute to campus and the world through time, talent, and treasure.

The idea of Hawkeyes Give Back is everywhere at Iowa—from learning in classrooms and researching in labs, to building state-of-the-art facilities and giving back in our communities.

We offer many opportunities for Hawkeyes to engage with philanthropy and learn how it positively impacts their college experience.

Upcoming Events

Rival Against Hunger Food Drive Competition: Sept. 3–13

Drop off a full-size food and/or hygiene item to help tackle hunger on our campus in a friendly competition against Iowa State.

Here’s how you can get in on the action:

  • Participate individually. Donate your food or hygiene item to any drop-off box around campus, including at the Food Pantry in the IMU. All items will go to the Food Pantry and count in our competition against Iowa State.
  • Form a team. Join forces with your UI student organization or department to support this great cause for a chance to win prizes. Register your group today!
  • Make a difference. Your donation helps Hawkeyes who lack regular access to nutritious food. Last year our campus contributed 1,746 food and toiletry items, helping more than 100 Hawkeyes receive an average of 16 pounds of food.

On Sept. 17, we’ll announce the winner of the Iowa vs. ISU competition (whichever school contributes the most items for their campus food pantry) as well as the winning student organizations and university departments on the Hawkeyes Give Back website.

Learn more in our contest guidelines—and register your team for a chance to win prizes!

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa–sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact Holly Jones in advance at 319-467-3377 or holly.jones@foriowa.org.

Philanthropy Lecture Series

Each spring and fall, an Iowa alum or friend returns to campus to share their story about how they give back and empower others. These programs inspire students and the broader campus community to incorporate philanthropy into their lives.

Student Advancement Network

Current Iowa students who join the Student Advancement Network (SAN) serve as representatives of the student body for alumni and donors. Members also educate their peers about the importance of philanthropy and engagement, their different forms, and how they enhance the college experience.

For more information, follow SAN on Facebook and Instagram or email student.advancement@foriowa.org.

Student Impact Grants

Student Impact Grants provide funding for undergraduate and graduate student activities outside of the classroom, like research, travel, and service projects. The goal of the grant is to enable students to pursue opportunities that might not otherwise be possible without financial assistance. The grants are made possible by a partnership between the University of Iowa Office of the President and Student Advancement Network (SAN).

Volunteer Opportunities

Hawkeyes can give the gift of time by signing up for unique volunteer opportunities on campus, supporting areas such as Hancher and University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics.

Fellowship and Internships

Iowa students and recent graduates are invited to apply for a yearlong post-grad fellowship or summer internship.

Williams Fellowship

In this one-year, full-time paid position with benefits, the Williams Fellow can “test drive” a career in philanthropy and alumni engagement by working at the University of Iowa Center for Advancement. The fellow develops a better understanding of the organization by rotating through its various departments.

Applications are typically accepted starting in January with a February deadline.

Summer Internships

Summer internships provide a meaningful opportunity for Iowa students to learn about the impact alumni engagement and philanthropic support has on their university, while also exploring their career goals within a nonprofit or higher education setting. This eleven-week, full-time, paid experience provides opportunities for students with a variety of career aspirations.

Applications are typically accepted at the beginning of the spring semester.

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Working Together for Systemic Change

Now is the time to amplify our efforts toward diversity, equity, and inclusion. Universities have the opportunity, and the obligation, to work toward racial justice and social equality. The tragic killing of George Floyd has awakened white Americans to what our Black and Brown citizens have known and experienced for centuries. Racial disparities and police violence are at the forefront of our thoughts and require our action, and I intend to ensure that the University of Iowa Center for Advancement, Iowa's organization for alumni and friends, is a positive part of moving toward a more just community. I know that by relying on our vast knowledge and resource base at the university and engaging our global alumni community, we can make positive change. Two years ago, the University of Iowa shared an updated diversity, equity, and inclusion action plan outlining four goals: to create an inclusive and equitable campus environment; recruit, retain, and advance a diverse campus community of faculty, staff, and students; integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion into the university's core academic mission; and enhance campus-wide accountability, effectiveness, and collaboration. We have made much progress; however, in the wake of recent events, we must amplify the urgency of our efforts. We want to engage you, our alumni and friends, as we work toward systemic change. How can we help our greater university community learn more about these important issues and effect change? Please share your suggestions on our communications, events, and programming with me. The UI Center for Advancement recently convened a meeting with UI Provost Montserrat Fuentes and UI College of Nursing Dean Julie Zerwic?a co-chair of Iowa's diversity, equity and inclusion Path Forward work group?and the leadership of two of our alumni groups: the Iowa Black Alumni Association and Iowa Black Alumni Network. We listened as Melita Pope Mitchell (97BA), and Orville?(67BS, 72MA)?and?Billie Townsend?(95MA), shared their love and loyalty for the UI, while also acknowledging their disappointment in the continued experience of injustices in the university community. Through their stories, we've learned how we can better understand the challenges our students, staff, and faculty face, and how we might address those challenges. Our discussions inspired me to reach out here, to not only reinforce our support for the Black community, but also initiate a greater discussion. This is a learning moment for me and for many of us, and our faculty are an important source of information on the history, economics, and politics of racial inequity. Our fall issue of Iowa Magazine will feature leading voices from campus sharing their perspectives on the movement for racial justice. We recently launched a virtual event series, "Chat from the Old Cap," and featured director of The Privilege Institute Eddie Moore Jr. (04PhD), who?shared his insights. For those who have asked how they could help financially, your?support?of the?Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion?will further our work toward a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive campus environment for all. We also are reevaluating our programs and services to ensure that we are meeting the needs of all those we serve. If you have suggestions or recommendations for alumni programming, I hope to hear from you. Together, we can make a difference for our students, our communities, and the world. For Iowa, Lynette L. Marshall President and CEO The University of Iowa Center for Advancement Please reach out to me at president@foriowa.org

Alumni Affinity Groups and Affiliated Alumni Networks

Iowa alumni with shared connections are invited to join an affinity group. Some of these organizations are an extension of student interests, like Alumni Band or Dance Marathon Alumni Group.

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NOTICE: The University of Iowa Center for Advancement is an operational name for the State University of Iowa Foundation, an independent, Iowa nonprofit corporation organized as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, publicly supported charitable entity that works to advance the University of Iowa. Please review its full disclosure statement.

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