Jake Atencio

EcoliteracySCHOOL as a system is a collaborative effort developed to facilitate Student Collaboration in Health-Oriented Outdoor Learning (SCHOOL). Grant funding is a key component in providing the outdoor equipment necessary during the field experiences of this program. Students interested have the opportunity to learn more about the mechanisms of non-for-profit funding, such as grants, that could possibly be used to support the longevity of the EcoliteracySCHOOL program. As the grant writing specialist, I developed a step by step guide to understanding the universal application and function of grants for student reference. A peer reviewed literature compilation was developed to be used as the basis for a grant writing Q & A during field experience two that allowed students the opportunity to ask their own questions in regard to the process. Lastly, I developed a consumables grant proposal was developed for the Ecoliteracy program, with future student collaboration being facilitated as the application develops. Student feedback summarized at the Q & A session found that many of them had developed a new found sense of understanding in regard to how the programs that they benefit from are funded. With an informed point of view on the grant writing application process, students felt a better sense of ways they could possibly make change within their local community. Primarily, students felt more informed and therefore connected to how their community operates from a financial perspective, and possibly found some form of liberation in their position that they hold to make change in supporting the programs they love.