Resources for Community-Based Research

Although the Graduate Fellowship on Philanthropy and Human Rights came to a close in the summer of 2008, HECUA continues to share resources and contacts to further community-based research in these areas.

History | MN Campus Resources | Community Resources |
Alternative Fellowship Options | Highlighting Community Projects

History of the Graduate Fellowship

In 2002 the Otto Bremer Foundation created the Graduate Fellowship on Philanthropy and Human Rights and has provided vision and support for the fellowship for the past six years. On September 25, the Foundation determined that it would not continue funding for a graduate fellowship after this year’s program comes to a close in June 2008.

The Graduate Fellowship was an initiative that brought together the expertise of graduate students with the resources of the nonprofit sector in order to impact local communities, promote leadership among underrepresented groups, and inform the Otto Bremer Foundation’s priority investments in grant-making. In 2002, the Higher Education Consortium for Urban Affairs (HECUA) responded to the Foundation’s request for proposals from nonprofits interested in managing the program.  During the past six years, HECUA has partnered with the Foundation and with academic and community leaders to recruit, select, and mentor 15 graduate students of color who have received the fellowship.

A recent evaluation concluded that the fellowship has benefited the field of philanthropy, identified issues and trends emerging in local communities, co-created knowledge within communities, and shared that knowledge beyond those communities. The former fellows continue to develop as leaders in academic, public policy, and community positions, and two of the fifteen now work in philanthropy.

The fellowship recipients completed a range of community-based research projects focused on human rights issues in Minnesota and North Dakota. The research topics included:

  • organizational effectiveness of Otto Bremer Foundation grantees
  • HIV/AIDS health disparities in communities of color
  • best practices of public libraries serving recent Hmong refugees
  • chronic impacts of the Vietnam war on Hmong veterans and how Minnesota nonprofits can better serve them
  • physiological, emotional/behavioral, and financial impacts of the Somali civil war on the community
  • youth homelessness among Somali and Oromo youth in Minnesota and the cultural competency of organizations serving homeless immigrant youth in greater Minnesota
  • non-western forms of leadership and how immigrant groups redefine leadership when their cultures and ancient ways are influenced by external forces
  • the consequences on communities of color when African American men come into contact with the criminal justice system at a disproportionately high rate
  • the failure and success of civic engagement when broaching such human rights issues as tribal environmental justice
  • the effects of minority healthcare providers on minority communities and how health care providers can better serve minority patients
  • the efficacy of criminal justice advocacy organizations in framing crime policy debate
  • the ability of cultural communities to be effective in the social/public policy arena and to create solutions to community health problems
  • re-segregation of minority children in St. Paul Public School District
  • educational struggles that Somali youth face in the Twin Cities
  • the effect of religious resources within juvenile correctional facilities in Minnesota.

The Higher Education Consortium for Urban Affairs (HECUA) has more than thirty-five years experience conducting academic-community collaborations focused on social justice. HECUA provides experiential learning opportunities that link rigorous academic study with hands-on work for social change. For more information about HECUA please visit http://www.hecua.org/

The Otto Bremer Foundation is a private charitable foundation established in 1944 by Otto Bremer. The Foundation gives priority to programs that assist people in achieving full economic, civic and social participation and work for the betterment of their communities. For more information on the Otto Bremer Foundation, please visit http://www.ottobremer.org/

Minnesota Campus Resources

Augsburg College

  • Office for Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity

Created by the U.S. Congress in honor of Dr. Ronald E. McNair, the astronaut and physicist who was among the first African Americans in the U.S. space program, the McNair Scholars Program at Augsburg College prepares students for doctoral studies through involvement in research and other scholarly activities. Our goal is to increase doctoral degree attainment of students from segments of society now underrepresented in graduate studies. The program’s further purpose is to encourage these students to consider becoming college professors.
http://www.augsburg.edu/mcnair/

  • Master of Social Work Program

http://www.augsburg.edu/msw/
Holley Locher, MSW Program Coordinator

College of St. Catherine
www.stkate.edu

  • Graduate Programs (directors)
  • Office of Community, Work and Learning
    • Martha Malinski, Director
  • Directors for the individual graduate programs;
  • Office of Multicultural and International Programs
    • Donna Hauer, Director

Hamline University

Macalester College
Civic engagement and service learning is part of the core values on Macalester College, and community based research is a part of that. 

  • American Studies Department
  • Karin Aguilar San Juan (sanjuan@macalester.edu) whose course, "Schools and Prisons" includes a substantial internship experience for students
  • Paul Schadewald (schadewald@macalester.edu) who has led public history projects, such as "Right on Lake Street" at Macalester
  • Kevin Murphy, asst prof of history at the university of minnesota, who has been supervising local history projects of GLBT activism and the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood.

University of Minnesota

  • CURA
    The Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA) is an all-University applied research and technical assistance center that helps the University of Minnesota fulfill its land grant and urban missions by connecting faculty and student researchers with nonprofit organizations, businesses, neighborhoods, local governments, and state agencies in Minnesota. CURA supports research and publishes policy-oriented reports on a wide range of urban and regional issues.

    CURA Community-Based Research Programs—CURA houses three programs that provide graduate or undergraduate student assistance for applied research projects, program planning and development, program evaluation, and other short-term projects
    http://www.cura.umn.edu/
  • The Graduate School Diversity Office
    The mission of the Graduate School Diversity Office (GSDO) is to coordinate and lead the Graduate School initiatives in the recruitment, funding, retention and graduation of a diverse student body. In addition, the GSDO works closely with other University of Minnesota offices that are concerned with diversity and multiculturalism.  The GSDO provides advising to assist prospective graduate students (U.S. citizens and permanent residents) with the admission process and on financing graduate school. The GSDO fosters opportunities for graduate students to build community ties, to strengthen their networking skills, and to enhance their professional development. 
    http://www.grad.umn.edu/outreach/

    Patricia Jones Whyte, Acting Director, MSROP, whyte001@umn.edu

Community Resources

Bonner Foundation
The Bonner Foundation is a non-profit organization located in Princeton, New Jersey. Started by Corella and Bertram F. Bonner, the original purpose of the Foundation was to help those who, like Mr. and Mrs. Bonner, grew up in underprivileged areas. In 1989, the Foundation began working with colleges and universities, seeking a way both to provide scholarships to students who could not otherwise afford to attend college and to drive students and institutions of higher education to service in their own communities. http://www.bonner.org/
National Community-Based Research Networking Initiative: http://www.bonner.org/campus/cbr/home.htm

PFund
PFund Foundation is a vital resource and community builder for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and allied communities by providing grants and scholarships, developing leaders, and inspiring giving.  PFund Foundation is a catalyst in building communities in Minnesota and the Upper Midwest where gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are celebrated and live free from discrimination, violence, invisibility and isolation.
http://www.pfundonline.org/

MN Campus Compact
Minnesota Campus Compact and its 50 member colleges and universities are committed to developing leadership, citizenship and academic success for all Minnesotans.  They foster the development of life long citizens and learners.  Expanding civic engagement will help close the achievement gap in Minnesota and thereby help achieve important state goals for a more successful regional economy, a more robust civic society and reduced levels of personal poverty. Our vision is Minnesota is a state where all students experience post-secondary success and participate in building a vibrant democracy.
http://www.mncampuscompact.org/
Grants, Fellowships, Awards, Calls for Proposals:
http://www.mncampuscompact.org/index.asp?Type=B_EV
&SEC={BEC40F88-CF39-4D1D-B3A0-B33B080401D8}

Public Policy Project
The Public Policy Project works with communities, institutions and individuals to provide an understanding of public policy and its importance. We teach how policy works, who decides, and how the decisions made today will help or hurt you tomorrow. Knowledge is power!
www.thepublicpolicyproject.com

Organizing Apprenticeship Project
The Organizing Apprenticeship Project (OAP) works to advance racial, cultural, social and economic justice in Minnesota through organizer and leadership training, policy research and strategic convening work.
http://www.oaproject.org/

University of Washington (Seattle) School of Public Heath Community-Based Research Principles
Community-based research takes place in community settings and involves community members in the design and implementation of research projects. Such activities should demonstrate respect for the contributions of success which are made by community partners as well as respect for the principle of "doing no harm" to the communities involved.
http://sphcm.washington.edu/research/community.asp

U.S. Fellowship Opportunities

Fellowship* Managed by Length Award Acad. Inst'l Support
Aryeh Neier Human Rights Fellowship ACLU & and Human Rights Watch 2 years $43,000, increase in second year  
Bush Fellowship Bush Foundation 2-18 months $4,000/mo, $6,000 travel, $18,000 instructional $18,000 tuition
CFSV John Gardner Fellowship in Philanthropy Haas Center for Public Service, Stanford University 10 weeks $3,500 stipend Fellows enroll in one philanthropy-related class
Cornell Urban Scholars Program   3 months $3,600 stipend, $1,100 housing  
Dissertation Proposal Development Fellowship Social Science Research Council 10-12 months $18,000; can apply for $5,000 for predissertation research Dissertation-focused workshops; can apply for additional research funding
Emerging Philanthropic Leaders Fellowship Council on Foundations 2 years    
Ford Foundation Diversity Fellowships National Research Council 2 years $20-40,000  
ICGC/MacArthur Scholars Fellowships Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Global Change 1 or 2 years up to $20,000 1st yr, $10,000 in dissertation-year support Seminars, public lecture series, opportunity to present research
ICGC-Compton Peace Fellowships Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Global Change 1 or 2 years up to $20,000 1st yr, $10,000 in dissertation-year support Seminars, public lecture series, opportunity to present research
International Fellows Program Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society 3 months $3,900 stipend, tuition, accommodations, air fare Housed at City University of New York, tuition is paid for
Jesse M. Unruh Assembly Fellowship California State University, Sacramento 1 year $1,972 monthly stipend, tuition, benefits Fully-paid tuition at CSUS, 12 units of credit for graduate seminars taught by faculty
Karpatkin Racial Justice Fellowship ACLU 1 year Low $50’s, medical and dental benefits  
Kip Tiernan Social Justice Fellowship Rosie’s Place 1 year $40,000 stipend, benefits  
MN Department of Human Services Public Policy Fellowship MN Department of Human Services 2 years Mid $30's-low $50's/year, full state employee benefits  
Morris K. Udall Fellowship Udall Foundation 1 year Up to $24,000 Stipend intended to cover both academic and living expenses
Multicultural Fellowship Program San Francisco Foundation 2 years Salary Offers curriculum
National Urban Fellows National Urban Fellows, Inc. 14 months $25,000 stipend, tuition, $500 relocation, travel, $500 books Full tuition, graduate-level course work,  Masters Degree of Public Administration with Urban Affairs concentration
NYC Social Justice Fellowship Research Center for Leadership in Action, NYU Wagner 15 months $42,500 stipend, tuition, benefits, $2,000 project support Tuition assistance up to $13,000 in addition to stipend
Ralph J. Bunche Human Rights Fellowship Program Amnesty International USA 9 months to 1 year $32,000 stipend, eligible for benefits package  
Reatha Clark King Fellowship George Family Foundation 2 years, renewable    
Rotary World Peace Fellowship Rotary Centers for International Studies 2 years Tuition for Master's level program at a Rotary university Master's-level degree program, tuition
Sand Hill Fellowship in Philanthropy Haas Center for Public Service, Stanford University 10 weeks $3,500 stipend Fellows enroll in one philanthropy-related class
Skadden Fellowship Skadden Fellowship Foundation 1-2 years $46,000, fringe benefits  
Social Justice Fellowship Wilder Research, Nat'l Network of Grantmakers 1 year $30,000 plus benefits $30,000 plus benefits
Tom Ford Fellowship in Philanthropy Haas Center for Public Service, Stanford 11 months $27,500  
Villers Fellowship for Health Care Justice Families USA 1 year $35,000 and excellent health care benefits  
Wellstone Fellowship for Social Justice Families USA 1 year $35,000 and excellent health care benefits  
William Randolph Hearst Endowed Fellowship for Minority Students Nonprofit Sector Research Fund 10-15 weeks $2,500 - $5,000  

*These fellowships were selected for comparison because they are similar to the Graduate Fellowship on Philanthropy and Human Rights in mission and goals. These are all located in the United States. For a complete list to download and print, which also gives a brief description to the purpose of each fellowship, click here.

Highlighting Two Past Graduate Fellowship Projects

Sarah WalkerSarah Walker
Sarah is currently Chief Operating Officer at 180 Degrees, Inc. and works with high-risk youth and adults to provide intervention and support for youth and adults who are at-risk or currently involved with the Juvenile or Criminal Justice System.  Although on sabbatical, Sarah is a doctoral student in the department of political science at the University of Minnesota, Sarah brings extensive research experience to issues of politics, inequality, criminal justice reform and the role of philanthropic organizations in setting interest group agendas.

Her current research hypothesizes that contrary to dominant views expressing the centrality of successful media campaigns to political agenda setting, unpopular or disenfranchised groups may benefit from an absence of media attention. This hypothesis has both practical and theoretical implications and challenges the basic tenants of pluralism in American politics.

In addition to her research, Sarah serves as a Chair for the Ramsey County "Juvenile Detention Alternative to Incarceration - Disproportionate Minority Contact" (JDAI-DMC) initiative (click here for more information about the initiative). The JDAI-DMC iniative's primary goal is to reduce the overreliance of incarceration for juvenile offenders and to reduce racial disparity in rates of incarceration.  Sarah also serves as a board member of Rebuild Resources, the Kids Change Initiative, and the Ramsey County Community Corrections Advisory Board and is a member of the Minnesota Supreme Courts Racial Fairness Committee.

To view Sarah”s past projects please visit  www.racialdisparity.org.

To view Sarah’s current work, visit www.180degrees.org.

Sarah’s email address is sarahcwalker at gmail dot com

 

David AlbornozDavid Albornoz
David’s research project aims to deepen understanding of the phenomena of the high incidence of dropping out of schools among students of color.  Among minorities, Hispanics are the largest and fastest growing segment of the school-age population. More Hispanics are of school age (5-19) than any other minority, and the percentage of students in elementary and secondary public schools who are Hispanic has doubled in the last two decades (United States Department of Education, 2007). Sadly, Hispanics are also the most undereducated ethnic group in the United States; members of this group have the highest drop out rate -50%- among all students populations.

To view David’s current and past work, visit
www.davidalbornoz.efoliomn2.com.

To view the photos from David’s public presentation, visit
http://www.evite.com/app/photo/viewAlbum.do?
albumId=FQEEOKGTQGKCRHOQHNYR&
inviteId=SFLOSECGEQZKEDIZDKRK&
eventId=JWQDJWCZEVDZQBQJDMOD&li=iq&src=email&trk=aecs3.

The Silent Epidemic PowerPoint Presentation.

David’s email address is dalbornoz at laescuelita dot org.

 

 

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