JWDDBF: Service Learning Program Grant

The JWDDBF Service Learning Program, administered by the Joe W & Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation, supports K-12 schools in Louisiana and Mississippi. This initiative encourages students to engage with their communities through service learning projects that connect academic curriculum with real-world problems. By providing funding, the program enhances students' critical thinking, collaboration, and empathy while fostering positive relationships between schools and communities. The Principal’s Award also incentivizes schools to participate in these enriching experiences.

The Brown Foundation Service Learning Program is now administered via a collaboration with the STEM Library Lab. The STEM Library Lab fosters high-quality, active learning by providing teachers and students with access to equipment and support to drive academic success (Mission) and aims to see that every child has the opportunity to discover their passion for STEM and pursue a brighter future (Vision).
Service Learning gives students the opportunity to meet community needs through hands-on experiences that tie classroom curriculum to service. The STEM Library Lab Service Learning Program offers funds to support service learning projects for K-12 schools in Louisiana and Mississippi.
What is Service Learning?
Service learning is a teaching strategy that allows students to address real-world problems within their communities as part of their academic studies. This instruction method requires ongoing reflection exercises that bridge the gap between theoretical (classroom studies) and practical (experiential) knowledge. In the end, students understand the relevance of what they are learning and experience how they can make an impact.
To be clear, service learning is not synonymous with community service or volunteerism. Community service and volunteerism do not typically include an academic component or learning about social issues in an organized fashion. Unlike service learning, the project planning involves little to no input from participants, and there is no focus on reflection, building partnerships, or improving knowledge and skills.
Benefits of Service Learning
Students gain…21st century skills: critical thinking, problem solving, leadership, decision-making, collaboration, and communicationDeeper connection between academic knowledge and real-world applicationsGreater understanding of themselves and empathy and respect for othersOpportunities to explore skills and interests and to network for career readinessProvides enhanced awareness and understanding of social issuesGuided practice in active and effective citizenshipIncreased self-efficacy as they address community needsSchools gain…Increased pro-social behavior and student engagementAn effective drop-out prevention strategyPositive school-community relationshipsCommunities gain…Energy and creativity of youth in addressing communities needsOpportunities to build positive relationships between community and schoolsNew perspectives on youth as assets, not liabilities
Principal’s Award
As an added incentive, a “Principal’s Award” of $500 is given to each school that is awarded funding for one or more service learning projects. These are unrestricted funds to benefit the school’s students, service learning program, or other projects.

Eligibility

The criteria to apply is as follows:Grades K-12 from schools in Louisiana and Mississippi are eligible.
Any subject area is eligible for participation in the Service Learning Program.
Projects are part of a school course or classroom learning; grant awards do not fund extracurricular activities such as school clubs (or the community service projects of a club).Program requirements:The Service Learning Program adheres to the National Youth Leadership Council (NYLC) definition and standards of Service Learning.All funded service-learning projects must include classroom learning and require a partnership with a service organization (such as a non-profit or school other than your own).The projects must follow the IPARD (Investigation, Preparation, Action, Reflection, and Demonstration) model developed by the NYLC.Service learning projects must include collective class participation (rather than opt-in volunteer participation).Service Learning Project Types:Homegrown projects are designed by you! You select the community issue you want to address, choose a service partner, develop a budget proposal, and create the lesson plans.Policies:More than one teacher from the same school is permitted to apply.
Each teacher is permitted to submit multiple homegrown applications.Ready-to-Go (RTG) projects are pre-packaged service learning projects developed by STEM Library Lab. The service component has been paired with relevant classroom curriculum and is aligned with Louisiana or Mississippi standards. Curriculum may be provided as lesson plans for the project, delivered by educators from the service organization, or a combination of both. Policies for RTG projects vary; RTG project policies are available on page 1 of each RTG application.Policy:An individual (the same) teacher may not sign up for more than two (2) RTG projects.Examples of acceptable uses of award money:Transportation fees.Materials used during the project (e.g. – art supplies, gardening supplies, fabric for making quilts and blankets, books for researching the project topic).Snacks and water for service work outside and off-campus.
Non-profit partner fees.

Ineligibility

Award money may not be used to the following:Purchase uniforms or T-shirts of any type.
Give scholarships of any type.
Clubs, extracurricular activities, or afterschool programs.
Compensate teachers, substitute teachers, staff, guest speakers, trainers, etc.
Purchase equipment used solely for the school such as signage, computers, or iPads.
Pay for overnight travel or retreats.
Give grants, loans, or donations to individuals.
Donations to individuals.