In addition to scholarships, the Kevin Roe Legacy Fund also offers two different types of awards for programming and initiatives that contribute to the health, safety, recognition and/or contributions of the queer community at San José State University.
The Kevin Roe Legacy Fund Awards
Program Support Awards offer up to $500 for programs or initiatives to be completed in the next 12 months.
Program Recognition Awards celebrate exceptional programs or activities completed within the past 12 months.
Eligibility Requirements
The Kevin Roe Legacy Fund seeks to encourage and elevate the work of LGBTQ+ students, staff, and faculty who, working together, embody the values and commitments Kevin lived by, including courage, commitment to inclusion, respect for diversity, advocacy for social equity, pride in being queer, elimination of stigma and homophobia, support for individual autonomy and civil rights, and community organizing. Kevin did all of that throughout his life, with fierce urgency, creativity, and a sense of humor.
Kevin Roe was an ordinary person who did extraordinary things. He loved campus events and initiatives. He was an enthusiastic and effective community organizer throughout his life, as exemplified by serving as an undergraduate peer educator in the earliest days of the HIV epidemic and bringing the SF Pride Band to campus when he first began his faculty position at SJSU. He loved street fairs, posters, exhibits, lecture series, training, and making hard things fun. Most importantly, he believed that LGBTQ+ students, faculty, and staff should work in an environment in which they can be out, visible, safe, proud, and strong – for their own health and for what they bring to the broader community.
Student organizations, departments, and administrative units are welcome to apply for Legacy Fund awards for programming they are planning or have completed. The work needs to be done by a group (not an individual), demonstrate participation and leadership by LGBTQ+ persons, and contribute to creating a safe, healthy, and proud SJSU community.
Examples of eligible projects include:
Education campaigns
Outreach events
Individual speaker events or a speaker series
Content development
Resource development and dissemination
Project that are not eligible include:
Individual faculty or student research
University-mandated assessment or evaluation
Support funds can be used for materials, printing, refreshments, rental fees, honoraria for guests, etc. and must be transferred to a university bank account. Funds cannot be used for student, staff, or faculty honoraria or stipends.
Priority consideration will be given to campus groups or organizations that center queer leadership and participation in the project.
Applications and Nominations
Program Support applications and Program Recognition nominations are accepted during three open periods:
December 1 – February 1 for the Spring Award
March 1 – July 1 for the Summer Award
August 1 – October 1 for the Fall Award
Award winners will be announced in April, August, and November.
The online application and nomination forms require basic background information about the group and project. They also require responses to a set of reflection questions (250-500 word limits for each question). Responses to each question will be evaluated by the Legacy Fund Scholarship Committee for completion, commitment to diversity and inclusion, and spirit of courage, creativity, and/or fun. Program support award applications require a budget. Program recognition nominations require reflection on reach and impact of the completed project.
The online application and nomination forms were developed using Google Forms, which does not allow responders to save their work before submission. But don’t worry! You can start filling out the form, click the submit button, and then go back to the submitted form at a later date to continue working on it. The Awards Committee will only have access to the submitted materials after the deadline for the review period. Don’t forget to finish completing the form, as the Committee will not review incomplete submissions.
References
Award applications and nominations do not require support letters but do require name and contact information from three (3) people who can comment on the group and the project. The Awards Committee may contact these individuals during the review period.
References can be SJSU students, staff, faculty, or community members and must be knowledgeable about the project and the group. The application will require name, email, and phone number for each reference.
Decision Notification
All applicants (both Program Support and Program Recognition) will be notified of the award decisions by email 4 weeks after the review period begins.
Awards must be accepted via email notification within 5 days of notification.
By accepting a Kevin Roe Legacy Award, applicants agree to:
Provide a photo for the Legacy Fund website and permission to use that photo and quotes from their application in public communications about the Fund and the awards.
Attend a Zoom or in person meeting with at least one representative of the Legacy Fund Awards Committee to learn more about the project and, for Support Awards, develop a personalized plan for receiving the awarded funds. The meeting will be scheduled for a mutually convenient time within four (4) weeks of award notification.
For Support Awards only: Brief in-progress and final written reflections on the impact of the award and the project.
Awardees will also have opportunities to:
Be guests of honor at a Legacy Fund celebration event (date and location TBD)
Get to know members of the Legacy Fund leadership, including many prominent LGBTQ+ leaders
Network with the other Program Award winners and the Legacy Scholars
We look forward to receiving your application!