The HBCU Budgetball Civic Engagement Initiative
ATTN: The Application Deadline has passed.
With funding from the Kellogg Foundation, the National Academy of Public Administration (National Academy) has partnered with the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO) to implement the Budgetball Civic Engagement Initiative on 10 HBCU campuses during the 2009-2010 school year.
What is Budgetball?
Budgetball is a "fiscal" sport that was developed by the National Academy and professional game designers last year. The game, which is played between two teams on an indoor or outdoor playing field, gives participants experience in managing debt and savings while striving to achieve a long-term objective (scoring the most points). It serves as a starting point to engage young adults in learning activities related to personal financial literacy and the nation's fiscal future. To learn more watch Budgetball in action and download the Budgetball Basics Guide (PDF). The Budgetball Civic Engagement Initiative is aimed to engage HBCU students in Budgetball and civic engagement activities related to fiscal responsibility. An overview of Budgetball can be found at the National Academy's Budgetball website: www.budgetball.org.
Why is this important for HBCU students?
HBCUs have an important part to play in educating and training the next generation of transformational leaders. Fiscal literacy is an increasingly important component of a comprehensive education. As a result of credit cards, student loans, car payments, and insurance, today's college students are acquiring debt earlier and faster than ever before. Understanding how to manage a budget, when to borrow and when to save are critical skills for every student. As members of the larger community, it's equally important for HBCU students to understand and be involved in community and national decisions about spending, borrowing and saving.
Budgetball can serve as an entry point to the rising generation of young adults. It is a dynamic and fun way to start the conversation about financial responsibility at the personal and national levels and can start to prepare them to have more conversations about the issues.
What does participation involve?
Selected HBCUs are asked to (1) host a Budgetball Tournament on campus; (2) host two additional events related to fiscal responsibility (e.g., outside speakers, seminars, debates, etc); and (3) implement a civic engagement activity related to fiscal responsibility.
We ask that each selected HBCU identify a student Budgetball Scholar to coordinate all aspects of the Budgetball Civic Engagement Initiative; and a Faculty/Staff Advisor to provide leadership and guidance throughout implementation. Download the list of Budgetball Scholar responsibilities (PDF). If selected, Budgetball Scholars must be identified no later than November 13, 2009.
What resources will be available for our school?
Selected HBCU sites will receive a total of $6,000 to support the implementation of the Budgetball Civic Engagement Initiative [$2,500 stipend for a student Budgetball Scholar; $1,500 for a Faculty/Staff Advisor; and $2,000 for implementing the Budgetball Civic Engagement Initiative (tournament, related events, civic engagement activity)]. Selected HBCU campuses will also receive ongoing training and technical assistance for implementing the Budgetball Civic Engagement Initiative throughout the 2009-2010 school year.
How do we apply?
The application deadline has passed and applications for participation in the HBCU Budgetball Civic Engagement Initiative are no longer being accepted.