As I wrap up my time as an Applied Leadership Fellow on the Grants & Funding team, I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on what it actually means to support student leadership. Being part of the grants team these past two years has been one of the most rewarding chapters of my time at the University of Michigan. Our work was more than just about reviewing applications or managing budgets; it was about serving the BLI Community as partners to our peers, helping them refine their visions, and clearing the path for them to make a tangible impact on our campus and beyond.

What is the BLI Grants Program?

At its core, the BLI Grants program is an incubator for student-led innovation. We provide financial support to undergraduate students across the university who have a vision for a project, event, or initiative but need the resources to get it off the ground. Whether students are looking to test a new engineering prototype, host a community-building workshop, or launch a campus-wide campaign, the program is designed to remove financial barriers and encourage students to practice leadership through action.

A Year of Growth for the BLI Grants Team

We saw a tremendous surge in student-led initiatives, reflecting a growing desire across the university to tackle real-world problems with creativity, urgency, and impact. This year, we reviewed 95 total applications, a 23% increase compared to the previous year. In response to this incredible demand, we were proud to distribute over $50,000 in funding, directly investing in the potential of our peers. Every dollar we allocated was our way to show our confidence in a student’s ability to lead, organize, and create lasting change.

BLI Grant Spotlight: Unified Games at The Big House

Among the many initiatives we supported, one stood out to me for its scale and its commitment to community: Unified Games at The Big House, organized by the Special Olympics Club at the University of Michigan.

This project encapsulated leadership, positive community impact, and inclusivity. By hosting a Special Olympics event at Michigan Stadium, the team created a space where athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities could compete and shine. Beyond the athletic events, the project succeeded in bringing together athletes, families, volunteers, and the broader community to foster a sense of belonging. Seeing this group leverage the iconic space of the Big House to promote visibility and access for all groups of people was a powerful reminder of why we do this work.

Looking Ahead

Serving on the grants team has fundamentally shifted my perspective on what it means to be a leader. I’ve learned that the most effective leadership is often quiet; it’s about providing the resources, mentorship, and support that allow others to shine.

As I move forward from the BLI grants team, I’m taking with me a deeper appreciation for the power of collaboration. Our campus is overflowing with students who have the passion to create change, and I feel honored to have played a small part in fueling those efforts. I’m incredibly excited to see how future generations of fellows will continue to evolve the grants program, and I can’t wait to see the next wave of innovative ideas that will emerge from our community.

All photos are shared by BLI students who received grants to implement their leadership experience.