Joseph McKeen
Center for the Common Good

Now Available: 2010 Common Good Grant Application

Download Application Here and Request Form Here

The Common Good Grant

The Common Good Grant was started in the fall of 2001, when an anonymous alumni donor gave $10,000 for Bowdoin students to allocate to local non-profits in the form of grants. The purpose of the program is to provide students the opportunity to learn about grants, foundations and philanthropy while becoming familiar with local non-profit organizations. Meant to familiarize students with the important work of non-profits through a philanthropic experience, to date committees have awarded over $70,000 through grants of up to $2500 each to local agencies for the purpose of funding new initiatives and maintaining existing programs.

Common Good Grant in Action

Read more about the 2009 Grants Awarded!


Common Good Grant in Action. Flying Changes, 2002 Recipient.


Pre-schoolers at the Harpswell Nursery School enjoy new bookshelves purchased with 2004 Common Good Grant money.
Past Common Good Grant Recipients »

Soon after the creation of the Common Good Grant Committee it became evident to participating students that many worthy projects could not be funded with the $10,000. In 2004, the Common Good Grant Extension Committee was created by a group of students hoping to add to the fund base while learning the skills of fund development.

Participating in the Common Good Grant process is a rewarding and educational experience for the members of the grant committees, as they are able to take part in the philanthropic process from beginning to end. Not only designed to strengthen the bonds between Bowdoin College and the greater Brunswick community by honoring local non-profits, the program also empowers students by helping them to make a difference in their community through an educational experience.

Common Good Grant Committee

Each fall, twelve students are selected to be on the committee. Meeting weekly, the students determine the year's criteria for grant recipients, design and publicize the application, and send it out to interested organizations in mid-December. Before applications are submitted in mid-February, students participate in a grant writing workshop and conduct site visits to past recipients. In the spring, the committee reviews submitted proposals and selects the grant recipients, who are presented with checks at the Common Good Grant Awards Ceremony in April.

Common Good Grant Extension Committee

Serving on the Extension Committee provides a unique opportunity for eight students to participate in a strategic fundraising initiative to benefit local non-profits. While the goal of the committee is to raise additional funds for the existing grant base, participants increase their understanding of non-profit organizations and gain key fundraising skills in the process. Meeting weekly, the group develops a case to solicit donations. In pairs, students meet with potential donors in the spring. All funds raised are then added to the Common Good Grant, expanding the number of community projects supported.

Since 2001, the annual student selection committees have awarded local agencies with grants of up to $2500 to maintain existing programs and to fund new initiatives. Some projects have included:

• developing a senior companion program for People's Plus
• implementing a literacy program for homeless adults through Tri-County Literacy Volunteers and the Tedford Shelter
• installing signage for educational purposes in the Brunswick Town Commons
• building a community garden for the Learning Center of Independence Association
• improving the playground at Coffin School
• purchasing medical supplies and equipment for the Jason Program in Saco
• supporting the Safer Sex Club (named by clients) through Merrymeeting AIDS for developmentally challenged individuals providing risk assessment, refusal skills and HIV/AIDS education
• supplying Harpswell Community Television with a satellite receiver to increase educational programming