9 Nonprofits Participate for $25,000 Top Grant

Westport, Connecticut ─  As a means of fostering social good on the America East Conference campuses and in surrounding communities, Newman's Own Foundation today launched its first-ever Campus Community Service Challenge.  One student group, chosen from each of the America East's nine member universities, will participate on behalf of its affiliated nonprofit for the top grant of $25,000. In total, $80,000 will be awarded to the nominated nonprofits.

"Paul Newman believed that giving back is the greatest opportunity and responsibility for making the world a better place," said Bob Forrester, president and CEO of Newman's Own Foundation. "Continuing his philanthropic legacy, Newman's Own Foundation is proud to support the ideas, work, and partners of these exemplary student groups, who are making a difference in their communities today and who will continue to lead long after their university days."

A priority of Newman's Own Foundation is to encourage the practice of philanthropy among as broad a population as possible.  To implement the challenge among college students, the Foundation partnered with the America East Conference to identify a leading, service-focused student group at each member university who is closely affiliated with a nonprofit.  The final grant decisions will be made based on:

• The level of the student group's involvement with its affiliated nonprofit, and the degree to which that involvement reflects Paul Newman's philanthropic spirit of creativity and commitment.

• The actual mission and programs of the nonprofit, the populations and purposes it serves, and the impact the Foundation's grant will have on it.

The top grant will be $25,000. The next two grants will be for $15,000 and $10,000 respectively. Six nonprofits will each receive a $5,000 grant from Newman's Own Foundation. 

"We are proud to partner with Newman's Own Foundation on this very generous initiative," said Patrick Nero, commissioner of America East. "Our nine universities are committed to making a significant, positive impact on their communities. We thank Newman's Own Foundation for recognizing and supporting the good work our students are doing. Newman's Own Foundation, like our nine member institutions, puts a high value on encouraging students to find ways to better the lives of those around them."

 The following are the student groups selected by each campus along with their affiliated nonprofit:

• University at Albany

Students of Albany Against Cancer on behalf of American Cancer Society

• Binghamton University

Colleges Against Cancer on behalf of A Room to Heal

• Boston University

Winter Outreach on behalf of Phoenix of New Orleans, Inc.

• University of Hartford

University of Hartford Best Buddies on behalf of Best Buddies Connecticut

• University of Maine

Black Bear Mentors on behalf of River Coalition, Inc.

• University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Project HEALTH at UMBC on behalf of Project HEALTH, Inc.

• University of New Hampshire

Students Athlete Advisory Committee on behalf of Club Chameleon

• Stony Brook University

Alternative Spring Break Outreach (ASBO) on behalf of SUNY Research Foundation at Stony Brook University for ASBO

• University of Vermont

Campus Kitchen on behalf of Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf

The applications of the nine student group/non-profit pairings will be reviewed and grants will be recommended by the Challenge's Selection Panel.  Leaders in philanthropy and social activism, the judges are:

• Rebecca Lobo, basketball analyst for ESPN and former player in the Women's National Basketball Association
• John Marshall, former president of The Kresge Foundation
• Ryan Scott, CEO and founder of Causecast

The grant recipients will be profiled throughout the America East Men's and Women's Basketball Championship held at the University of Hartford from March 4-7, 2010.

"We thought it was particularly meaningful to develop this initiative to coincide with the America East Championship Tournament," said Forrester.  "America East places academic achievement and citizenship right up there with sports performance.  This challenge is a celebration of leadership on-court, in the classroom, and within the community."  

To learn more about the challenge and the nine student group/non-profit pairings, please visit http://newmansownfoundation.org/competition/.

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Newman's Own Foundation (www.newmansownfoundation.org)

Paul Newman was committed to helping make the world a better place. To carry on his philanthropic legacy, Newman's Own Foundation donates all net royalties and profits after taxes it receives from the sale of Newman's Own products to charity. To date, Paul Newman and Newman's Own Foundation have given over $285 million to thousands of charities around the world.

About America East (www.americaeast.com)

Since its beginning as a men's basketball conference in 1979, America East has evolved into one of the most comprehensive NCAA Division I conferences with 20 championship sports serving more than 3,000 student-athletes. Supporting the missions of its nine member institutions - Albany, Binghamton, Boston University, Hartford, Maine, UMBC, New Hampshire, Stony Brook and Vermont - America East is committed to developing champions in academics, athletics and leadership.

 

America East: Developing Champions in Academics, Athletics and Leadership