Kalamazoo College in southern Michigan is offering grants for leadership in social reform and protest per the Social Justice and Leadership Fund. The Arcus Center, a group at Kalamazoo whose goal is “to develop and sustain leaders in human rights and social justice through education and capacity-building,” provides funds for the grants. According to Kalamazoo’s website, the SJLF,
“provides grants to Kalamazoo College students, faculty, and staff who are interested in becoming more engaged in social justice leadership issues and practice. The Fund provides opportunities to learn about a variety of social justice and human rights issues, develop new skills in organizing and leadership, and take action on the issues that prospective applicants care most about.”
Grants range from $50 to $1500 depending on the project. Previous funds have been given to students to attend conferences on human rights, LGBTQ job preparation, and more, as well as participation in an immigration reform rally in Washington, D.C. To receive money, students must apply and are advised to meet with a staff member.
Learn about our Social Justice Leadership Fund and how ACSJL can support your growth as a social justice leader at https://t.co/0G0LN166wX pic.twitter.com/UpjK1MfZFH
— Arcus Center (@ACSJL) August 22, 2017
When questioned by Campus Reform about why the school funded students to attend the Women’s March on Washington, a Kalamazoo representative said,
Social justice is about valuing lives equally. The Women’s March on Washington, being about women’s rights, certainly fits that bill. The application process for such opportunities doesn’t consider information about political parties or affiliations, meaning the center is non-partisan. Anyone with an interest in a social justice experience has equal consideration.
With social justice at the forefront of today’s political and cultural narrative, it is comforting seeing an educational institution guide students towards effective activism.
(Illustration by Elle Ko)

- Kentucky Governor Says Schools Should Drop Non-Job Producing Degrees - May 18, 2018
- What SoundCloud’s Revival Means for Young Creatives - February 21, 2018
- American Students Stress More About Money, Per Report - January 31, 2018
- Harvard Pairs With Outside Company For Online Business Analytics Program - January 11, 2018