Westport, Conn. ─ Newman's Own Foundation today announced the nine nonprofit finalists to participate in the third annual Newman's Own Foundation Campus Community Service Challenge.  The selected nonprofits, nominated by and paired with a student group from each of the America East's nine member universities, are eligible to receive the Challenge's top grant of $25,000. In total, $80,000 will be awarded to nominated nonprofits.

"The Campus Community Service Challenge represents an opportunity for us to encourage the practice of philanthropy," said Bob Forrester, president and CEO of Newman's Own Foundation.  "We are proud to support the work of these exemplary students with their community partners and to recognize their commitment to make the world a better place."

One student group has been selected as a finalist by each member university for its work with a nonprofit partner. The top grants will be awarded based on:

• The level of the student group's involvement with its nonprofit partner, and the impact of the partnership on those served by the nonprofit, as well as on the students themselves.

• 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. 

"The nine finalists are phenomenal student groups and nonprofits that truly highlight the best of the America East Conference," said America East Commissioner Amy Huchthausen. "The conference is bound together by athletics, but this group of nine institutions represents so much more, and we are thrilled that Newman's Own Foundation continues to recognize the impact these students have in their communities."

The Challenge's grant finalists are:

• University at Albany's Reclassifying All Children Equally (R.A.C.E.), partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region, to enlist, train and supervise university students as mentors to at-risk youth in the community.

• Binghamton University's SUNY VINES (Volunteers Improving Neighborhood Environments), partnering with Earth Day Southern Tier, to develop sustainable urban gardens, serve as role models for youth, and assist in educational programming.
  
• Boston University's Joining Hands, partnering with Newton Area Corporation for the Benefit of Special Athletes, Inc. to host events for Newton Special Athletes and to provide cheer and support to athletes in their training and competitions.

• University of Hartford's Society of Women Engineers, partnering with University of Hartford, to expand outreach to area high school girls, to foster an interest in engineering.

• University of Maine's Engineers Without Borders, partnering with University of Maine, to complete construction of a student-designed community septic system in the village of Dulce Vivir, in the mountainous Copán region of Honduras.

• University of Maryland, Baltimore County's Relay for Life, partnering with the American Cancer Society, to increase student participation in the Relay and to educate the UMBC community about cancer, prevention, and intervention.

• University of New Hampshire's Aspiring Hands, partnering with Somersworth Youth Safe Haven, to provide at-risk youth with homework assistance, healthy living classes, a community garden, and educational field trips.

• Stony Brook University's Alternative Spring Break Outreach, partnering with Community Collaborations International, to provide funds for a greater number of students to travel and volunteer with nonprofit organizations around the country.

• University of Vermont's Adaptive Sports, partnering with Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, to increase student coaching of individuals with physical and/or cognitive disabilites through the purchase and upkeep of adaptive equipment.

The winners will be presented throughout the America East Men's and Women's Basketball Championship held at the University of Hartford from March 1-4, 2012.

To learn more, please visit www.NewmansOwnFoundation.org/Challenge

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About Newman's Own Foundation
Paul Newman was committed to helping make the world a better place. To carry on his philanthropic legacy, Newman's Own Foundation turns all net profits and royalties from the sale of Newman's Own products into charitable donations. To date, Paul Newman and Newman's Own Foundation have given over $325 million to thousands of charities around the world. For more information, visit www.newmansownfoundation.org.

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 3,400 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.