The Jefferson Trust, an alumni-funded unrestricted endowment of $8.2 million, awarded 12 of its annual grants to University programs April 15. This year's awards totaled more than $470,000 in funding for research and academic programs.
Grant funding will support projects ranging from a restoration of Edgar Allan Poe's student room on the West Range to scholarship programs for students participating in the Rare Book School.
The trustees of the Jefferson Trust decided who to award the grants to after receiving 42 requests from various areas of the University in online applications. Eventually the trustees narrowed the prospective programs down to 12 through an interview process.
"We choose projects that will have the greatest potential in improving the quality of the University, specifically their impact on students," said Wayne Cozart, executive director of the Jefferson Trust and vice president of alumni engagement of the U.Va. Alumni Association.
Cozart further explained the importance of student involvement in the grant process. "How many students will be affected and how many will be involved? Students are the key component."
The trustees also evaluated the direction of the University when choosing where to grant funds.
"Specifically we look at what the University deems as its most important focus," Cozart said. "We looked heavily at the future plans of the University."
The Trust provided grants to three student organizations this year, and Cozart encouraged more students to apply in the future.
"We encourage all areas of the University, including student groups, to apply for grants," he said.
One of this year's 12 programs is the digital edition of Thomas Jefferson's "Notes on the State of Virginia." Led by Asst. English Prof. Brad Pasanek and Assoc. English Prof. John O'Brien, the program aims to bring different versions of Jefferson's work together in a more modern format.
Pasanek said they were grateful for the grant and explained how they will use the $23,000.
"The majority of the money will go into programming and building a framework for this complicated text," Pasanek said. "We hope to make some waves, bring glory to the University, and show what it is possible to do with old books in this new medium."
The Jefferson Trust generally attempts to grant 5 percent of its total endowment to University programs yearly, and 2011 was no exception, Cozart said.
Jefferson Trust grants also provided $15,500 in funding to a notable spot on Grounds, the Edgar Allan Poe room at 13 West Range.
Raven Society President Clark Herndon said the Poe room is a piece of University history and that the grant would aid in restoring it.
"In recent years it's fallen into a bit of disrepair," Herndon said. "The money is hopefully going to give the room a facelift."
Cozart said the grant program has grown since its founding in 2004.
"We are in our sixth year and we are really pleased with the impact the grants have had on the University," Cozart said.
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