Bobbi Meeler Sahm Service and Outreach Award

Deadline: Friday, January 31, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.

About the Award

The Bobbi Meeler Sahm Service and Outreach Award was established by Athens native and strong UGA supporter, Bobbi Meeler Sahm. A UGA alumna, Sahm was born and raised in Athens, Georgia. In 2021, Sahm and her family created a fund to support public service and outreach efforts conducted by partnerships between UGA and Athens organizations. Inspired by this contribution, UGA President Jere W. Morehead directed discretionary funds to this initiative, which will positively impact the quality of life of community residents. The Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach and an awards committee, comprising both university and community representatives, oversee the awarding of these funds. 

Process

Applications for the Bobbi Meeler Sahm Service and Outreach Award for the 2024-2025 academic year are now open. The deadline for the application is Friday, January 31, 2025. The application process and requirements are as follows:

• Applications will be accepted from UGA units or departments whose faculty and/or staff are partnering with an Athens-Clarke County (ACC) community organization on programs addressing issues including but not limited to: public health and well- being; Pre-K-12 education; disadvantaged youth; childhood and adult literacy; civic engagement; and public safety.
• This award is designed to enhance UGA’s public service and outreach mission. As such, funded projects must include a collaborative partnership with an ACC community organization [501(c)(3)] and demonstrate a direct and positive impact on the community. Programs must clarify who will benefit from funding.
• All applicants must provide with the application a letter of support from a dean/director to ensure support for the project.
• All applicants must provide with the application a letter of support from the external partner organization’s executive director/director to ensure support for the project.
• Applicants should thoroughly complete the application provided and should be prepared to provide additional information on their project if deemed necessary.
• All applicants must supply a project budget including a complete and itemized description of how funds will be spent along with any in-kind contributions or additional sources of funds. Any application submitted without this financial information will not be considered for funding.
• Applications for monies to fund the purchase of promotional items and other non-essential “wish list” items are discouraged, except where the item in question is a vital and demonstrated function of the program.
• Awards may not be used to fund endowments, course buyouts, graduate assistantships, or UGA or community organization employee salaries. Preference will be given to those projects involving undergraduate students in service.
• Awards of up to $10,000 will be available to multiple grantees.
• Awarded funds will be distributed to the appropriate UGA unit, which can reimburse the community organization for incurred project-related expenses based on budget justification and invoice.
• There will be no multi-year pledges.
• Applications will be reviewed by the committee.
• Completed applications must be submitted to robin.hampl@uga.edu.

Deadlines