Grants and external partnerships play an important role in helping Carroll College expand programs and resources that support student well-being. By seeking funding opportunities beyond campus, Carroll can strengthen existing initiatives and introduce new opportunities for education, awareness, and prevention. A recent grant supporting domestic violence awareness is one example of how these partnerships directly benefit our students and campus community.
Carroll College has received a $4,000 Awareness in Action: Bright Sky on Campus grant through a partnership with the Montana Campus Network for Civic Engagement (MCNCE), the Western Region Continuums of Service Consortium (WRCOS), and the Vodafone Americas Foundation.
The grant supports Carroll's "Know. Support. Connect." campaign, led by the Wellness Center in recognition of October's Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The initiative focuses on helping students recognize signs of domestic and dating violence, support peers, and connect individuals with appropriate resources.
A central component is introducing students to Bright Sky, a free mobile app and website offering information and resources for individuals experiencing domestic abuse or concerned about someone else.
Throughout October, the Wellness Center has engaged students through campus outreach, educational programming, and peer-to-peer conversations. With the help of Wellness Office student worker Moira McGuire and the MSW intern, the Wellness Center has hosted informational tables and awareness activities throughout the month. Activities have also included participation in Purple Thursday, weekly educational programming, and training opportunities for student leaders and resident assistants. Additional programming will continue through January 31, including educational events, community partnerships, and opportunities to become familiar with the Bright Sky resource.
The grant was secured through a collaborative effort between Carroll's Wellness Center and Office of Institutional Advancement, demonstrating how departments across campus work together to identify funding opportunities that directly benefit students.
While philanthropy takes many forms, grants and external partnerships like this one provide important resources that allow Carroll to expand programming, strengthen student support, and foster a healthier, safer campus community.
