Charley Richardson (70F) Award

We seek to ensure that future generations of students will know of Charley and his life's work and, in so doing, will learn from his example and be inspired by his commitments.

Open to any currently enrolled Hampshire student, this award provides an opportunity to pursue work in direct collaboration with social justice organizations, communities, groups, and efforts.

This award supports an internship or research project in an area central to Charley Richardson's philosophy, ideals, and activism, such as: anti-war/peace building, workers' and labor rights, racial and economic justice, reproductive freedom, human rights, and other such efforts. Work must be in direct collaboration with community members, and must be supported by a Hampshire faculty member and a community activist organization. 

To review some of Charley’s work and legacy, Google “Charley Richardson” along with “Military Families Speak Out."  

The selection committee includes a member of the Richardson family and a representative from the Class of 1970. The award money will come from the income generated by the Charley Richardson Award Fund, an endowed fund.

Award amount

The award amount changes slightly each year. Please check for updates on the Community Commons Summer Grant Website.

Award Criteria

Arenas for work in support of social justice efforts could include work involving racial and economic justice, workers’ and labor rights, climate justice, anti-war/peace building, human rights, work in support of immigrant communities, and other such efforts. Examples of social justice movements and organizations that amplify collective voice and power are:

• Black Lives Matter
• Stand with Standing Rock
• Fight for $15
• Domestic Workers United
• Prison Birth Project
• Climate Action Now!
• Iraq Veterans Against the War
• Efforts in support of voter rights
• Efforts opposing mass incarceration and the "school-to-prison" pipeline
• Efforts supporting Muslim communities and opposing Islamophobia

The award is not limited to the above named organizations or movements. Any activist movement working collectively for change, including student organizing, is a possible fit.

Examples of work this award could support include:

• Providing specific research to assist a social justice movement or effort
• Assistance in organizing actions, conferences, or other events in support of a social justice movement or effort
• Assistance in amplifying voices for social justice in the media, with the government, and/or with the public
• Assistance to a social justice movement related to a specific project

Eligibility

• Funding is available for any currently enrolled Hampshire College student who is returning to Hampshire after the award cycle (field study is okay).
• Students must be in good academic standing.
• Work must be related to community organizing and the building of social justice movements.
• Work must be supported by a community activist organization and by Hampshire faculty.

To Apply

This award is part of the Community Commons Summer Grant application process.

Application instructions, deadline, and the application materials are on the Community Commons Summer Grant Website.

You will need to submit:

• Social Justice Summer Grant Application
• Faculty Statement of Support
• Organization Statement of Support