Northeastern's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee has launched the Husky Wish Gift initiative, which will award small grants to Boston-area individuals, teams or organizations that work with youth opportunities in sports and exercise.
MISSION
The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee has launched a new philanthropic initiative: The Husky Wish Gift. The Husky Wish Gifts are small gifts given by the Northeastern Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) to Boston-area individuals, teams, or community organizations represented by a nonprofit/charity organization that work to increase youths' opportunity to participate in sports, exercise and increased academic support.
VISION
The vision of the Northeastern SAAC Husky Wish Gift Committee is to develop a strategic, philanthropic framework that is self-sustaining to be utilized annually to support the youth in the communities surrounding Northeastern University. The committee hopes to accomplish, through these gifts, a greater opportunity for developmental enrichment through sport, exercise and academics for the local youth. In the Northeastern athletic community, it aims to develop a sense of philanthropic culture among student-athletes so wherever our education and athletic determination takes us in the future, we have the tools to help others benefit from our success through philanthropic efforts. Lastly, the committee desires to see this framework duplicated in SAAC committees in other universities to benefit multiple communities around the country.
TESTIMONY
Missy Elumba, Former SAAC President, Husky Wish Gift Executive Director
"I personally benefited from the advantages of sports as a young kid. I remember when I was in second grade, my parents signed me up for every team sport our town offered out of the blue. Later my parents shared with me their intentions; at a parent teacher conference, my second grade teacher pulled my parents aside and suggested that I get into some team activities. She said I was quiet and painfully shy, but smart. She was worried I would get over looked if I didn't start being social and gain some confidence. Needless to say my parents took her concern seriously. That intervention helped me in more way than one; not only did it eventually lead to a full athletic scholarship for hockey but I also learned to be a leader and have confidence in myself and my ability to make a difference in whatever I put my mind to. I'm only thankful that my family was blessed enough to be able to put me through all of these sports throughout my childhood. I know that there are millions of kids who do not get such an opportunity and millions of community programs that don't get the support they need to keep them going. This is where the Northeastern SAAC Husky Wish Gifts are meant to come in."
Elumba served in SAAC for three years and was president for two years. She was honored with the Hockey Humanitarian Award in 2009, given to college hockey's finest citizen. She was also a finalist in 2008. She was awarded the Chanda Gunn Community Service award in 2007. She graduated with honors May 2009 with a B.S. in Health Sciences, after which she plans to pursue Missional work.
Kris Dabrowiecki, Former SAAC President
"Working on the Husky Wish Gift has reinforced the importance of trying to make a difference on campus and in the community. I am very happy that I was able to be a part of this project and witness the care and generosity of all students working to help out those who are less fortunate. This initiative will give us a chance to see the joy and opportunities that our work will generate. It will also be a lasting memory that will remind me to continue making a difference through professional baseball, as we are role models for kids and can have a major impact in the area of philanthropy. I hope that we can bring a smile to the faces of all those who are involved with the Husky Wish Gift."
Dabrowiecki served in SAAC for the past three years and one year as co-president. He completed his Husky baseball career as NU's all-time leader with 286 innings pitched and 1269 batters faced. He finished third in school history with 21 wins and 236 strikeouts. In 2008, he received the Herbert W. Gallagher Awardas NU's top male senior scholar-athlete. Dabrowiecki graduated May 2009 with a B.A. in Business Finance & Insurance.
GUIDELINES
Funding values
As Division I student-athletes we recognize the importance of sport at a young age. Physical play is central in social and emotional development, in addition to providing a daily balance of exercise. The most crucial aspects in life can be learned through playing with others. You learn teamwork, the concept of fair play and sportsmanship, time management, and responsibility. Most importantly, playing a sport helps with a child's self-esteem and self-worth, which are vital to making healthy decisions in a challenging urban atmosphere.
How it works
SAAC invites interested applicants to apply for a Husky Wish Gift in amounts ranging from $500-1,200. All applications will be considered by a committee of SAAC members. An advisory committee of relevant faculty and professionals are appointed to supervise the granting and selection process. Recipients are recognized and awards are given at an event on Northeastern University's campus.
Applicants will be asked to demonstrate fiscal responsibility and provide a detailed plan of what they want to do with the money, and explain how their plan relates to the Husky Wish Gift Program's funding values. We will not fund the same organization two consecutive years. We ask that winners wait one grant cycle before applying again.
Finalists may be asked to allow a small group of students to make a site visit or attend a sporting event depending on the nature of the request. Recipients of the Husky Wish Gift will be asked to submit a report on their use of the grant monies and a picture of how it was used and/or by whom at the conclusion of the grant period, Jan. 15, 2010. At that time, Northeastern SAAC and Northeastern Sport in Society would welcome the opportunity to discuss how Northeastern student-athletes can remain engaged to help further growth in the lives of the youth in your organization.
Who We Fund
SAAC is happy to fund grants to schools, teams, and non-profit organizations in the Boston area that enable more youths to participate in sport and exercise. Coaches of teams, principals, athletic directors, booster clubs, or other interested parties should confer to determine which administrative unit in your organization should apply for the grant. Grantees must be recognized entities within the school system, athletic department, or registered non-profit organization. We encourage programs that work with underserved populations and at-risk youths to apply.
What We Fund
These humble gifts are not expected to support huge projects but rather small initiatives that often go under the radar. Funding opportunities include, but are not limited to: sports jerseys and equipment, child participation fees, event budget, program budget, and facilities maintenance, and health nutrition options.
MORE INFORMATION
For information about the Husky Wish Gift program, contact Justin Bell at
j.bell@neu.edu.
