The Garden Hill Fund is a program of the Mountain School Alumni Committee. Grants from the Fund support the good work of Mountain School graduates of all ages as they bring to life the mission of the school—to reach beyond the self and focus on the common good—in their own communities and the larger world.
A Mission-Based Program:
Mountain School graduates may apply for Garden Hill Fund Grants of up to $10,000, or Mini-Grants of up to $2,000 for projects that benefit “the common good” in a range of ways. Members of the alumni committee do an initial review of the applications and then pass the selections to students in the current Humanities class who make the ultimate decisions on the grants. Thus, the program brings together past and current students as they help to carry forward the intellectual curiosity, celebration of place and commitment to service we associate with The Mountain School.
Project Criteria:
Some Examples:
We are also open to other creative responses to the mission of the school.
Application Criteria:
Mountain School graduates may apply for Garden Hill Fund Grants of up to $10,000, or Mini-Grants of up to $2,000 for projects that benefit “the common good” in a range of ways. Members of the alumni committee do an initial review of the applications and then pass the selections to students in the current Humanities class who make the ultimate decisions on the grants. Thus, the program brings together past and current students as they help to carry forward the intellectual curiosity, celebration of place and commitment to service we associate with The Mountain School.
Project Criteria:
- Creative responses to the Mission of the school are encouraged.
- Special consideration for social justice related projects that focus on anti-racism, inclusion, and equity.
- Projects that have a clear positive impact on other people
- Tangible results within a reasonably short time span
- Skill-building in the graduate, which can be used in further endeavors
- Lean and realistic project budgets
- Ongoing impact of the project when possible
Some Examples:
- A college summer of service;
- A “big idea” from a recent college graduate who needs some seed money to investigate it;
- A community-based project that exemplifies the idea of “knowing and caring for a place,” brought by a graduate who volunteers time and expertise where he or she lives;
- A new program in the civic sector that needs seed money, brought by a graduate who has a leadership role in a non-profit organization
We are also open to other creative responses to the mission of the school.
Application Criteria:
- Detailed description of project, including desired impact
- Well-written application that speaks to both the Alumni Committee and current students reading the applications
- For grants over $2,000 only: Itemized budget with detail for each expense, including a budget that accounts for the possibility of receiving partial funding
- Applicants have to wait a year (two cycles) to apply for a second grant.