Grant Declination: Michael & Susan Dell Foundation ($5,000)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) worked with our BDPA Middle Tennessee chapter to submit a $5,000 grant proposal to the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. Our proposal was declined. The folks at the Dell Foundation wrote,

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"Thank you for visiting the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation website and for submitting your request for funding.

Unfortunately, we cannot provide financial support for your project. Your proposal has been personally reviewed by a foundation program officer and consideration has been given for your objectives, past success and future vision. However, your project and organization is not aligned with our goals and strategies at this time.

While we wish we could help every organization in the world, we have chosen to align our work around specific geographies, missions and outcomes. We believe that to be effective given our mission and principles, we must focus our resources. Your program sounds very worthwhile; however, at this time, we must regretfully decline participation in this project.

We wish you the very best with your future endeavors."

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Although we've won a $5,000 grant from the Dell Foundation in the past ... it wasn't meant to be this year. We will continue to work with BDPA Middle Tennessee chapter to find the funding that they need to send their students to the 2017 BDPA Technology Conference in Cincinnati, OH.

You can make a donation to support BDPA Middle Tennessee right now!

Dell Scholarship Program -- Deadline: January 15, 2014

While many students dream of obtaining a college degree, life sometimes gets in the way, particularly for those dealing with personal responsibilities at home or in their communities. The Dell Scholars college scholarship program, an initiative of the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, recognizes students who have overcome significant obstacles to pursue their educations.

Visit Planning and Preparing for College (Scholarships, Internships, Etc) for additional information on scholarships and internships.

Dell to Give $5 Million for UT Social Innovation Competition

Dell Inc. is putting their money where their mouth is. The company gave $5 million to the University of Texas to expand a competition that encourages college students worldwide to come up with creative solutions to social problems.

The company already is the title sponsor for the Dell Social Innovation Competition. The competition is operated by UT's RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service, which is part of the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs.

The competition focuses on how technology can address problems such as poverty, health issues and the environment. This year, there were nearly 1,500 applications from 85 countries.

In addition to the money — Dell's largest cash donation to UT — Dell executives have mentored students in the program.

"The expansion of the program that Dell's gift allows will really take this program to scale, reaching an estimated 20,000 students over the next five years, encouraging them not to just make their communities and the world a better place, but with business plans to take those dreams and turn it into reality," said Robert Hutchings, dean of the LBJ School of Public Affairs.

Donations like this one from Dell Inc. make me sorry that BDPA no longer has an active chapter in Austin, Texas. Of course, it also make me want to look again at submitting a grant proposal to the Dell Foundation!

Dell Foundation

The Dell Foundation, the corporate giving division of Dell Inc., is committed to contributing significantly to the quality of life in communities where Dell employees live and work. The Foundation supports innovative and effective programs that provide fundamental prerequisites to equip youth to learn and excel in a world driven by the digital economy.

The Foundation supports a wide range of programs that benefit children newborn to 18 years of age in Dell's principle US locations, and welcomes proposals from non-profit organizations that address the health and human services, the education, and the technology access for youth as described below.

Dell Foundation awards financial grants up to $5,000 in cash. BDPA has a long history with Dell. I think that this funding opportunity is good. Your chapter must be in one of the following counties to qualify for an Open Grant:

• In Idaho: Twin Falls County
  
• In North Carolina: Forsyth or Guilford County
  
• In Ohio: Butler County or Hamilton County
  
• In Oklahoma: Oklahoma County
  
• In Oregon: Douglas County
  
• In Tennessee: Wilson or Davidson County
  
• In Texas: Bell, McLennan, Travis or Williamson County

Please let me know if your chapter would like to partner with BETF on a joint grant proposal to the Dell Fdn. We operate on a first-come; first-served basis. Don't procrastinate.

Grant Award: Dell Foundation

BETF and BDPA Middle Tennessee chapter are proud to announce successful grant award of $5,000 from Dell Foundation. Company officials wrote:

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Dear Mr. Hicks,

The Dell Foundation is pleased to inform you that the BDPA Education & Technology Foundation is a recipient of an Open Grant award in the amount of $5,000.00.

We are excited to partner with you on this worthwhile project and wish you continued success.

Warmest regards,
Teresa Miller

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The Dell Foundation, the corporate giving division of Dell, is committed to contributing significantly to the quality of life in communities where Dell employees live and work. The Foundation supports innovative and effective programs that provide fundamental prerequisites to equip youth to learn and excel in a world driven by the digital economy.

Jonica Cowan and Tinita Haley are the two leaders in our Middle Tennessee chapter who worked closely with BETF on this successful grant proposal. Please share some BDPA-Love with Jonica and Tinita!