Philanthropy Front and Center-Atlanta

Dell Social Innovation Competition Invites Students to Submit Ideas for a Better World

Dell and the University of Texas at Austin are seeking innovative ideas from college and university students interested in addressing current social or environmental issues. The Dell Social Innovation Competition invites undergraduate and graduate level students from universities or colleges across the globe to submit their plans for improving social conditions or helping conserve the environment through social entrepreneurship.

Entries can be submitted online now through February 14. Judges will select up to 90 semi-finalists to advance to the second round of the competition, and the ten ideas with the most public votes will also automatically move forward as semi-finalists. In the following round, semi-finalists will compose a social venture plan to further develop their ideas, and five finalists will be selected. These five finalists will be flown to Austin, Texas, to present their ideas in person during a weekend-long summit and awards ceremony. Prizes will be awarded as follows:

• First place: $50,000
• Second place: $20,000
• Third place: $10,000
• Dell Technology Award: $10,000 (for the idea that best makes use of technology to solve a social or environmental problem)
• Tomberg Prize in Environmental Sustainability: $10,000 (for the idea that best addresses the issue of environmental sustainability)
• People’s Choice Award: $1,000 (for the finalist team receiving the most votes at the live final event in Austin)
• Webbie Award: $1,000 (for the idea that receives the most votes online)

In addition, twenty semi-finalists who do not make the finals will be invited to participate in a year-long fellowship program, led in partnership with Brown University, involving one-on-one mentoring on their idea, a week of intensive training, a summer internship stipend to further develop their idea, and customized venture plan coaching.

Further information, including  official rules and deadlines can be found online at the competition web site.

Stephen Sherman, Reference Librarian, Foundation Center-Atlanta

November is National Scholarship Month

This time of year, many high school seniors and other prospective students are busy applying to colleges and universities for Fall admission. Just as important as deciding on a school is figuring out how you plan to pay for your education. November is National Scholarship Month, and we're taking this opportunity to highlight our many resources for researching financial aid.

To start, we recommend reading our Knowledge Base articles for students for information on scholarships and grants for undergraduate studies, graduate school, continuing education, international programs, and more. Some suggestions when researching financial aid for your education:

• Learn about federal aid opportunities and fill out the online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to get an estimate of your eligibility.


• Go to the GAcollege411 web site for information on the HOPE Scholarship program and other sources of financial aid from Georgia state agencies.


• Contact the financial aid office(s) at the school(s) you are considering.


• Ask about scholarships from organizations in your personal and professional networks, including:
  • Local or regional alumni clubs
  • Community, civic, and religious organizations
  • Businesses or corporations that employ you, your parents, or other family members

Visit our library to use Foundation Grants to Individuals Online, our searchable database of grantmakers that provide support directly to individual grantseekers, including students. This database is accessible for free at our libraries and Cooperating Collections across the U.S., or you can purchase a subscription to use the database from your home or office.

Not sure where to start? Take our free class, Finding Foundation Support for Your Education, which is available as in-person training, an online tutorial, or webinar.

Stephen Sherman, Reference Librarian, Foundation Center-Atlanta

Webinars for Funding for Education Month

Throughout June, the Foundation Center is celebrating Funding for Education Month. In addition to free classes and special events, we've developed a couple of free webinars focused on foundation funding for education. From the comfort of your home or office you can learn to create customized lists of prospective education donors using Foundation Directory Online and hear a timely discussion of foundation funding trends in higher education.  Register on our web site for Researching Education Funders with Foundation Directory Online, Friday, June 12, 1:00-2:00 pm or Foundation Funding Trends in Higher Education, Monday, June 29, 3:00-4:00 pm.