Opportunity Grants

Opportunity Grants are a member benefit. Therefore an active International ACAC membership in your name is required to apply. Applicants must be members in good standing of International ACAC for at least one year.

Opportunity Grants may be awarded to the following membership categories: secondary, post-secondary, individual, and community based organization.

Although multiple applications may be submitted, members are limited to only one grant award per calendar year.

Grants may be awarded to only one member per institution/organization per calendar year.

Since 2018, Opportunity Grant recipients have hosted various activities to enhance educational opportunities and professional development. These activities can be broadly categorized as follows:

Educator and Counselor Training: Focused on improving the abilities of educators and counselors to support students in university admissions and career planning. These sessions aimed to equip professionals with the latest tools, knowledge, and strategies for effective guidance.

Application and Admission Guidance: Programs specifically designed to aid students in understanding the college application process, including how to effectively prepare and apply for admission to universities both domestically and internationally.

Resource Provision for Underserved Students: Initiatives aimed at providing essential resources to underprivileged and displaced students to facilitate their access to higher education. This included technological tools for online learning, educational materials for test preparation, and financial assistance for accessing higher education opportunities.

Technology and Material Acquisition: Projects involved purchasing computers, internet routers, and other educational materials to support online learning and application processes. These purchases aimed to remove educational barriers for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Information Sessions and Fairs: Activities designed to bring information about higher education opportunities to students, teachers, and counselors through university fairs, information sessions, and webinars. This also included efforts to increase awareness about the availability of international education resources.

Applicants who wish to design a new program or initiative are encouraged to apply; applications containing personal professional development and/or revenue-generating requests will not be reviewed.

Applicants may request $250 to $3000 USD to support their project. The Committee will review the requests and allocate compensation based on availability. Typically, four to six projects are rewarded each year. Members are encouraged to supplement their projects with additional external funding.

Proposed Opportunity Grant applications must align with International ACAC’s Mission, which excludes direct funding of student expenses (e.g., tuition, travel, fees, supplies).

Firstly, identify an area of improvement or a gap in your community that you could solve with an event, activity, education, or even technology. Second, brainstorm and work to come up with a solution! Ensuring that your application aligns with International ACAC’s mission is essential. Be sure to highlight the project’s innovative aspects, its anticipated impact on underserved students, or how it promotes inclusivity and sustainability.

If you want some inspiration, you can find examples of previous Opportunity Grants below.

The selection committee consists of a member from each of the following committees:

• Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
• Global Affairs
• Professional Development
• Support, Access, & Success
• Leadership Team

The potential positive impact and number of individuals served by the grant will be taken into account, with priority given to applicants who meet the following criteria:

• Completeness: Have all sections been answered thoughtfully?
• Clarity of Goals & Plan: Is there a strong connection between the proposed activity and the desired outcome?
• Budget Feasibility: Are costs reasonable and well-justified?
• Impact: Does the project support underserved communities?
• Alignment with International ACAC’s Mission: Does the initiative reflect our commitment to access and inclusion?
• Diversity & Inclusion: Does the project promote equity?
• Sustainability: Will the initiative have a long-term impact?
• Use of Equipment (if applicable): Is there a clear plan for long-term use of materials?

We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experience levels. You do not need to be an expert grant writer—just provide clear, honest, and detailed responses about your project.

Following selection as an Opportunity Grant recipient (grantee), the grantee must agree to:

• Use the grant within the calendar year in which it was received.
• Submit a detailed description of the use of the awarded funds and the outcomes achieved within one month following the event or program.
• Submit a detailed expense report and receipts of all expenses incurred using the International ACAC Expense Report Form within one month following the event or program. Reimbursement will be issued once the Opportunity Grants Committee has received these items.
• Submit photos and a written report summarizing the overall experience within one month following the event or program. This information will then be shared with the International ACAC membership on the website, through member communications, and/or through International ACAC’s social media account. Reimbursement will not be issued until the Opportunity Grants Committee has received these items.
• Have a plan for any electronic equipment received as part of the grant following the event or program.