The Clinton Global Initiative University and the Wal-Mart Foundation awarded the University $205,000 at the end of September in addition to giving four awards to Brown students - the highest number given to any school.
Each of the $2,000 grants given to Brown students will help to finance "innovative, high impact commitments to improve communities and lives around the world," according to a press release from Wal-Mart.
Caroline Mailloux '08.5 plans to spend her grant to help implement a waste management system in Sikoroni, Mali.
"The community leaders identified trash as being a top concern in the community, so the project focused on partnering with local leaders and extending waste management services to local households," said Mailloux.
Mailloux said the grant will allow her to purchase more supplies, which the community of Sikoroni needs in order to expand its waste management program.
Emma Clippinger '09 received a grant in order to support the efforts of her organization, Gardens for Health International, which teaches communities to grow their own healthy food to help people living with HIV/AIDS in Rwanda.
Mollie West '09 received a grant to address poverty in Providence. West is currently developing a local microfinance program that would make loans of less than $5,000 to clients looking to start or expand small businesses.
West said the program will provide loans for "people who want to start small businesses who wouldn't be able to get loans because of a credit history or because there are certain legality issues."
Rachel Levenson '10 also was awarded a grant to help her explore the potential for a community-based health financing program in Sikoroni, Mali.
West was excited to be recognized for her work by CGI U. "To have an external organization from Brown University look at our project, and say, yes, this is a good project, was extremely gratifying and validating."
Mailloux said receiving the grant was encouraging. "It was a huge relief. It was really exciting to know that the money would be making such a positive impact in Mali."
The $205,000 grant awarded to Brown will help to support its partnership with Dillard University, President Ruth Simmons' alma mater. The partnership is meant to ensure that the New Orleans university will be made more environmentally sustainable.
The grant will foster greater cooperation between the two universities, which would encourage Brown to provide more technical assistance and expertise to Dillard, said Marisa Quinn, vice president of public affairs and University relations.
In the past, Brown has helped Dillard to launch a recycling effort, Quinn said.
"Brown has a recycling effort that's been in place for more than a decade, so there was an opportunity to link up ideas and expertise here to help them build up their recycling (program)," Quinn said.
Quinn said the precise use of this grant has yet to be decided, but that it is broad enough to support a variety of efforts to develop a more sustainable environment at Dillard.
In a month, after Dillard reviews its goals, Brown will determine the best possible way to support its efforts.
