LOI: 01/31/12 Please use the LOI application templates located at http://www.tgslc.org/publicbenefit/apply.cfm

TG - IF Invited, Full proposal: March 20, 2012

Program Description: TG's Public Benefit Program will support efforts by non-profit entities that declare intent to use grant funding to improve student persistence and completion in postsecondary education. TG's first priority is that the primary beneficiaries of these efforts, either directly or indirectly, be students who are from low- to moderate-income families. Populations of focus include Latino/Hispanic students, students who are from other groups that are traditionally underrepresented in higher education, or students who are the first in their families to attend higher education. TG neither lends nor grants money directly to individuals through this program.

Grant categories and priority areas

For proposals received in 2012, TG will consider applications for projects in the following three public benefit categories:

1. Direct services to students and families
   Within this category, priority will be given to proposals that address the needs of the primary populations of focus noted above and that aim to improve retention/persistence in postsecondary education. Applicants providing direct services primarily in the area of pre-college outreach are eligible to apply, but must be able to demonstrate how programming relates to and supports postsecondary completion.
2. Education research
   Within this category, priority will be given to research proposals that inform policies and practices affecting:
   1. Postsecondary retention and degree completion among the populations of focus noted above;
   2. Student financial aid, to include self-help aid, such as student or parent loans; or
      
   3. Transfers, persistence, degree attainment and career placement for community college students including examination or evaluations of promising practices for community college advising.
3. Organizational capacity
   Within this category, priority will be given to proposals from organizations that are ready to take existing programs to scale, but need to strengthen an aspect of the organization or its infrastructure in order to grow successfully. Examples of potential areas of funding may include
   1. Development of strategic business plans and funding development plans (e.g., professional services for organizational assessment and design, community needs assessment, market studies, identification of potential donors and structuring of fundraising campaigns);
   2. Program feasibility studies or program development planning;
   3. Staff development — may include resources for volunteers;
   4. Data management/tracking systems;
      
   5. Program evaluation.
      

Please see the solicitation for complete information.

Associate Deans or Designates should submit the following materials electronically to limitedsub@austin.utexas.edu no later than 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 18, 2012:

1. Dean's or ORU Director's Letter of Nomination
2. Two page maximum lay abstract describing the aims/needs of the proposed research project. **Please indicate which category your proposal will address.
3. The bio sketch/CV of the UT PI
   

Each college may submit one (1) proposal.