The 2025 Clay Grants application is now open – Apply Here
Maurice A. Clay Leadership Development Initiative Grants are awarded to circles that seek funding to provide leadership and personal development opportunities on their campus through innovative, engaging, and collaborative programming. Every year, O∆K provides ten or more grants with an average of $500 to help develop leadership programs on their campuses. In addition, two additional diversity, equity, and inclusion grants (up to $750 each) are dedicated to programs that support the leadership development of historically underrepresented and marginalized populations or seek to bring leaders together to address issues of racial and ethnic injustice in their campus community. Read more about promoting DEI efforts within circles here.
Read more about the 2024 Clay, Circle, and DEI Grant recipients here.
Important Dates for 2024-2025
- Sept. 17, 2024: Clay and DEI Grant Applications Open
- Oct. 17, 2024: Clay and DEI Grant Applications Close
- Early December: Grant applicants notified via email
- January 1, 2025: All grant programs may begin
- Nov. 30, 2025: All grant program reports and reimbursement requests are due
Eligibility
Circles must have submitted a 2024 Circle Annual Report to be eligible to apply for a 2025 Clay Grant. Circles that submitted an annual report but are suspended, inactive, or did not initiate members last year may apply, but they will receive additional questions from OΔK National Headquarters before the application is considered. The list of eligible circles is available here.
Clay and DEI Grants are intended only for new programs or to add a new element to an existing program. Requests for funding which do not meet these criteria will not be considered.
Informational Webinars
Circle officers who are interested in applying for a Clay Grant should consider attending one of two informational webinars. Click on the event below to register.
Developing Your Application
OΔK has developed supplemental materials to assist circles in preparing to apply for Clay Grants:
Endowed Circle Grants: Circles that have raised $10,000 or more for their circle through OΔK are eligible for a grant each year. Eligible circles are contacted directly by OΔK staff but must receive approval for the use of their funds. Circle Grants are available to the following circles for 2024-2025:
- Auburn University (Omega Circle) $1,000
- University of Richmond (Epsilon Circle) $750
- Washington and Lee University (Alpha Circle) $1,000
- Emory University $500
- Rollins College $500
Endowed Circle Programing Grant Procedures
Apply for a Circle Grant
Have a question?
Contact Jamie Bouldin, Director for Membership Services, at jamie@odk.org or (540) 458-5348, or the National Headquarters office at odknhdq@odk.org or (540) 458-5336.
