The Division of Inclusive Excellence welcomes applications for DEIA Cultivation Grants. These seed grants are designed to support projects, programs and events that advance diversity, equity, inclusion and/or antiracism (DEIA) at the college. Any member of the Whitman community can apply for a DEIA Cultivation Grant, although community members with access to their own funding are encouraged to utilize those existing funds rather than apply for grant funding. Preference is given to projects that are innovative and enhance (rather than duplicate) existing college practices.
Proposals that center the needs of historically marginalized communities, improve the campus racial climate or collaborative applications with co-leads from different constituency groups (e.g. staff and students) are also preferred. Awards are capped at $3,000 and only a modest amount can be used to compensate the program organizer. You can find the DEIA Cultivation Grant application form here. Applications are currently being accepted and the submission window for this semester will close on Friday, Nov. 22. For more information regarding the application process, contact diversity@whitman.edu.
Examples of projects supported by Cultivation Grants include:
Los Ojos de Whitman
Grant recipients: Mariana Ruiz-Gonzalez, Assistant Professor of Hispanic Studies, Alondra Quintero ’25, Maura Kelly ’26 and Nicole Martinez Cespedes ’26
Grant amount: $2,000
Grant used to print physical copies of Los Ojos de Whitman, the only Spanish literary and art magazine on our campus. The magazine is written and designed by Spanish bilingual students from different backgrounds, although we encourage the participation of Latinx and international students.
Journey to Justice
Grant recipients: Ava Brenkman ’25, Sofia DeFanti ’27 and Abigael Carron, Field Manager for Semester in the West
Grant amount: $3,000
Grant used to fund a year-long initiative focused on community engagement, specifically targeting individuals from diverse backgrounds who have been impacted by the justice system. By fostering open conversations, the project aimed to generate awareness, provide education, and catalyze action addressing the systemic issues affecting those within the justice system.
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