As we reach the finish line, we have a kind challenge from Christopher Steele! Help us accomplish 21 donors target. Any gift is appreciated. We are all together in this fight against food insecurity. 

Thank you Christopher for this amazingly generous push!!!

We are now in the final stretch of UMBC's Giving Day. The Shriver Center, UMBC would love to reach 50 donors; with 26, the Shriver Center is halfway there. Please consider making a donation - even $1 can make a difference. Retriever Essentials' service work stems from the Shriver Center. Another Shriver Center-connected program is The Choice Program. Let’s help the Shriver Center move up that Leaderboard!

givingday.umbc.edu

We have been contacted by Dr. David L. Di Maria, Associate Vice Provost for International Education about a unique opportunity. The Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research seeks to conduct and promote high quality research to help inform policymakers in Ras Al Khaimah, the United Arab Emirates, and broader Gulf region. To this end, the Foundation welcomes proposals from scholars in a wide range of disciplines and professional fields that address issues related to its research priority areas of education, health and well-being, and urban development and planning. Grant opportunities fall under the following categories:

• Doctoral Research Grants: Support PhD students in carrying out field research as part of their dissertation data collection. Comparative proposals are welcome as long as Ras Al Khaimah and the UAE are a significant research site. The award covers return economy airfares, furnished in-country accommodation (up to 12 months), and a modest cost of living stipend. Office space and research support are also provided.
• Faculty Research Grants: Support current faculty in conducting field research in Ras Al Khaimah and the UAE. The grant includes return economy airfares, in-country accommodation (up to 2 months), per diem, and research support. Depending on the project, additional funding may be allocated to cover actual research expenses.
• Seed Grants: Provide modest funding to conduct applied research or pilot projects in Ras Al Khaimah. Demonstrated collaboration with a local partner is an important eligibility requirement, and anticipated outcomes should provide tangible benefits to the emirate.
  Inquiries can be directed to grants@alqasimifoundation.rak.ae

If you have benefitted from Center for Democracy and Civic Life programs or just believe in what we are doing, please consider making a donation in any amount this Thursday, February 27th, which is UMBC’s Giving Day. Please also consider asking friends and family to support the Center for Democracy and Civic Life.

 The Center for Democracy and Civic Life’s work and programs are possible in part because of generous donations from members of the UMBC community. Giving Day is when students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and friends of UMBC pull together to support the programs that are helping them to thrive. Tax-deductible donations are especially impactful on this day, thanks to community members who are matching donations. 

 Here’s where to make your gift: https://gritstarter.umbc.edu/p/civiclife/

 To learn more about the Center for Democracy and Civic Life’s work, read our 2018-2019 annual report. Our Gritstarter page also includes information about STRiVE, Alternative Spring Break, and other Center for Democracy and Civic Life programs.

 Thank you for your consideration!

Retriever Essentials partners are committed to providing the help and care UMBC students, faculty, and staff members deserve. All of these organizations work toward ensuring academic and career success of UMBC members. They actively strive for enhancing social justice and equity within and outside the community.

Community Partnership is an integral pillar of Retriever Essentials’. Without our partners we would not have been able to reach to the point where we are. We are able to assist the UMBC community because of their contributions. It is through many offices and departments across the campus that Retriever Essentials is able to collect and distribute food items, personal care products, and meals swipes. 
 
Our partners support our efforts to meet the students where they are in order to ensure their well-being and success. This Giving Day, February 27th, please support Retriever Essentials and its partners so we all can better serve our UMBC community.