Wesleyan University has a long history of supporting student engagement in the public sphere. Last year, during an unprecedented moment in American history, we joined forces with colleges and universities across the U.S. to reaffirm our collective responsibility to encourage student leadership development, engagement in electoral politics, and collaboration with stakeholders beyond our campuses.   

The 2022-2023 JCCP Student Political Engagement Fund continues this tradition by offering funding to students interested in engaging the electoral process, exploring the range of American political interests, and supporting efforts that ensure the health of our democracy. 

Funding Support

Participants can apply to the 2022-2023 JCCP Student Political Engagement Fund  for costs associated with engagement in voter registration efforts, initiatives combating voter suppression, and issues advocacy work. This can include transportation, living costs, and supplies. Applications will be assessed based on the degree in which they address the educational value inherent in civic engagement, as well as the feasibility of proposed budgets. Proposals will not be evaluated on the political nature of specific causes, which are chosen and pursued wholly according to the interests of individual participants.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, deadline is May 14th:

• Funding is limited, so we recommend applying soon. 
• Expect updates on the status of your proposal within two weeks of submission. 
• Mini-grant recipients must enroll in CSPL 494 
• Students may apply for support during the fall semester, winter break, spring semester, or summer break. 

Apply here now: https://forms.gle/gmCgvnjbLKdmKcjY9

Ideas for Engagement

• Host a virtual civic engagement event.
  • Reach out to your local elected officials to talk about topics relevant to young people 
  • Keep your peers informed about current events
• Go door-knocking with a local campaign, advocacy organization or voter registration effort. 
•  Support the civic engagement of your peers
  • Create a social media campaign to show Wesleyan students how to register to vote
  • Send text blasts to your friend groups reminding them to vote

• Learn more about previous Political Engagement Fund and E2020 projects and recipients (Winter 2020, Summer/Fall 2020)
• If you’d like to brainstorm potential proposal ideas, please contact us at engage@wesleyan.edu.  

The following organizations/initiatives may also provide opportunities and useful resources:

• American Civil Liberties Union 
• Fair Fight
• League of Women Voters
• Let America Vote
• Pro-Georgia
• State Voices
• AAC&U
• Institute for Citizens & Scholars
• Brennan Center for Justice
• League of Women Voters 
• Florida Rights Restoration Coalition
• National Right to Vote Initiative