4 Redbird Impact Philanthropy Leaders (RIPL) Grants totaling $10,000 awarded to programs focusing on civic engagement in 2026
Back 2 School Alliance – $3,000
“Backpacks for Big Kids” to provide backpacks for low-income students in Unit 5 and District 87 high schools; currently, ISU’s Freshman Redbirds help pack backpacks during their Preview week; grant would purchase materials needed to continue the effort through the Office of Civic Engagement.
Cultural Fest Inc. – $1,500
“Culture Fest Nonprofit Community Outreach Booth Initiative” to remove financial barriers for 30 local nonprofit organizations to engage directly with residents; by underwriting participation infrastructure costs, the program expands civic access, increases visibility of community resources and strengthens awareness of services available across McLean County.
School Street Food Pantry – $3,500
“School Street Food Pantry Feeding our African Redbirds” to provide culturally responsive staples from West African diets of Oloyin beans, fufu flour, and red palm oil; about 20% of college students who use the pantry are from West African countries; program also aims to provide Civic Engagement opportunities for college students who volunteer in the food pantry.
STAR Adult Literacy - $2,000
“STAR Adult Literacy” provides tutoring in English as a Second Language to immigrants and tutoring for U.S.-born adults with reading and/or math skills below the 9th-grade level; with growing enrollment, there is a need for more volunteers; grant will provide stipends for 2 ISU students to recruit more volunteers.
