Standing committees

Grants and Gifts Committee

The Grants and Gifts Committee identifies and administers funds to encourage university engagement with community-identified needs. The committee will develop and oversee a mini-grant program, with a fund of up to $100,000 to support university initiatives with community partners to address critical needs. In addition, the committee will work closely with the VCU Office of Research and the VCU Office of Advancement to identify and promote external funding opportunities for community engagement.

View the most current grant guidelines [PDF]

Awards and Recognition Committee

The Awards and Recognition committee helps bring attention to the community engagement activities of VCU faculty, staff and students. The committee will develop a nomination and selection process for the annual “Currents of Change” award to be given to an outstanding university-community partnership. The committee also will identify faculty, staff and students involved in community partnerships that can be highlighted through various venues such as the VCU Web site, other media venues and through existing university recognitions. In addition, the committee will make recommendations to the provost and vice president for academic affairs for inclusion of language that supports recognition of faculty involvement in community engagement through their research, teaching and service.

Community Connections Committee

The Community Connections Committee creates the bridge between the council and the community. The committee is responsible for the relationship and communications with a Community Advisory Group to ensure community voice in council and university activities. The committee will create mechanisms for community needs and opportunities. In addition, the committee will explore and define the role of community scholars to participate in university-community partnerships.

VCU Data Committee

The VCU Data Committee develops strategies for collecting information on VCU’s activities in the community. The committee will identify or design a simple inventory tool that council members can use to gather information on community engagement activities of their faculty, staff and student groups. In addition, the committee will provide recommendations to the VCU Office of Research for inclusion of relevant community engagement variables on the Genius faculty expert database. The committee also will provide recommendations to the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs for definitions and formats that capture community engagement activities reported in WEAVE and the annual reports.