Campus Deadline: February 2, 2024
National Deadline: March 6, 2024
Events
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Fall 2023 Recorded Info Session (passcode: eVgG7?=g)
Description
The Donald A. Strauss Foundation offers up to $15,000 to sophomores and juniors to fund self-designed public service projects.
The Foundation promotes the value of public service in the education and preparation of our future leaders by financing innovative student-generated projects. A central part of the application package is a proposal for a project to be carried out between the end of sophomore or junior year, and the spring of the following year. Projects may focus on local, regional, national, or international communities.
In response to the rising costs of education, up to $7,000 of this award can be used as a scholarship to be applied to the student’s educational expenses. The entire award of $15,000 may also be used towards the project.
LMU Campus Representative: Dr. Cassidy Alvarado, cassidy.alvarado@lmu.edu, 310-338-3792.
Note: Your LMU financial aid will not be adversely affected if you are selected as a recipient.
Eligibility Criteria
- One or two years remaining until graduation.
- No citizenship requirements.
- Demonstrated interest in public service.
- Outstanding leadership potential.
- Effective communication skills.
- The desire to “make a difference” in local, regional, national or international communities.
- A GPA in the upper 1/3 of the class.
- An innovative, original, public service project proposal.
Application Process
To be considered for nomination, students must submit a completed application by the campus deadline. In February, the LMU campus nominating committee reviews applications and endorses up to three nominees. Nominees will have the opportunity to revise their applications based on feedback from the campus committee. The Foundation deadline is in early March.
Campus Nomination Process
Students should email the following application components to Dr. Cassidy Alvarado at cassidy.alvarado@lmu.edu by our campus deadline of February 2, 2024:
- Complete Application Summary
- One-page Resume - With current and past public service.
- One-page Personal Essay.
- A Project Proposal - Limited to 4 pages, including Budget and Timeline, using at least 1.2 spacing.
- 2 Recommendations
- If working with a partner organization, also submit their Letter of Support.
- Transcript – Unofficial is okay.
- Signed Acceptance Agreement.
National Submission Process
- After receiving materials by the campus deadline, ONIF will convene a committee to review applications and select up to three nominees.
- All applicants will receive feedback on their materials at this time.
- Nominees will continue to polish their applications for submission by the national deadline in early March.
For official information on the Strauss Scholarship, which supersedes any information provided here, please visit the Strauss Foundation website.
Resources
2024 Strauss Scholarship Bulletin of Information