Fix It With Five began with the idea that college students could use five dollars often spent on pizza or movies and apply it towards a meaningful community contribution. With the idea of each of Saint Michael’s College’s students contributing around $5 from their own tuition, the grant was formed based on student enrollment. Along with it came a committed student committee responsible for contacting local non-profit organizations, accepting and reading application letters, and agreeing upon three finalist organizations before turning the final vote to the Saint Michael’s College student body.
Our goal in awarding an organization the annual grant is positive, systemic change that looks to get to the root of a problem by enacting sustainable change. We hope that an organization can go beyond providing service or support to those who turn to it, rather, we hope an organization can work to “fix” a societal issue.
Since our beginning in 2010, Fix It With Five has awarded five Burlington, Vermont nonprofits the $10,000 grant. Our first recipient, Spectrum Youth and Family Services was followed by the Committee on Temporary Shelter, The Burlington Boys and Girls Club, the Visiting Nursing Association, and our most recent in May 2014, The Ibutwa Initiative.
Our goal in awarding an organization the annual grant is positive, systemic change that looks to get to the root of a problem by enacting sustainable change. We hope that an organization can go beyond providing service or support to those who turn to it, rather, we hope an organization can work to “fix” a societal issue.
Since our beginning in 2010, Fix It With Five has awarded five Burlington, Vermont nonprofits the $10,000 grant. Our first recipient, Spectrum Youth and Family Services was followed by the Committee on Temporary Shelter, The Burlington Boys and Girls Club, the Visiting Nursing Association, and our most recent in May 2014, The Ibutwa Initiative.
What makes Fix it With Five unique?
- We strive to fund projects that seek to get at the root of an issue, projects that are actively pursuing systemic change. While temporary relief programs are necessary, this grant focuses on giving organizations a small help toward putting an end to underlying problems in our society.
- Fix It With Five is a student organized and student funded initiative
- Students and faculty have the opportunity to sponsor and work with applying nonprofits. This allows members of the Saint Michael’s community to become further invested in a favorite nonprofit and lobby on their behalf. While this is not a prerequisite to apply, we believe that it aids in facilitating a longstanding relationship between the Saint Michael’s College community and the organization.
