Partnership Program

INSPIRING STUDENTS TO DO MORE

BUILDING COMMUNITY

Founded in the fall of 2019, the Partnership Program offers financial support to Upper School service committees and clubs. By reducing some of the barriers that stand in the way of service and club development, students are empowered to grow their clubs, explore unique service opportunities, develop valuable communication skills, and make a long-term impact on Severn and our community.

Today, the Partnership Program supports 38 community service efforts and clubs. The first club to ever receive funding was the Broadcasting/Admiral TV club, whose members successfully applied for funding of camera and studio equipment in pursuit of broadcasting football games.

Clubs Supported by the Partnership Program Since 2019 include:
*Admiral TV *American Red Cross/CERT *Amnesty International *The Anchor *Archery *Astronomy *Athletic Debate *Breakwater A Capella *Common Knowledge *Community Service *Connect 4 Cancer *Cyber Team
*Eagle Scouts *Eco *Engineering *French *Gardening *Introduction to Medical Studies *Investment *Latin
*Mainsheet Writers' Guild *Math Team *Mindfulness *Mock Trial *Model United Nations *Multicultural Alliance
*Operation Smile *Photography *Robotics *Severn Historical Society *Severn River Fishing
*Severn Varsity Baseball * Spanish *Student Led Investment Portfolio *Umbrella *United Spectrum

HOW THE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM WORKS:

In addition to the financial support they receive for their clubs and other service initiatives, students benefit from the real-world experience of participating in a donor-supported program. They learn the importance of planning, goal setting, and relationship building when garnering philanthropic support. The process goes like this:

Student club and community service leaders determine funding needs based on their goals and initiatives for the year and submit a grant application.
The Student Partnership Committee, comprised of students who successfully applied to the committee and are advised by the Development office, review and debate applications, help allocate funding, present information to other students, and build relationships to grow the program.
Clubs are called upon to share results of their funding and Partnership Program committee members report on activities, news, and initiatives to the community and donors who support the program.

SERVICE INITIATIVES AND CLUBS THAT HAVE BENEFITED FROM PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM FUNDING AND HOW:

List of 9 items.

Admiral TV

The first grant awarded by the Partnership Program --covered the start-up needs of Admiral TV, including online services and camera equipment.
Community Service Club

Funding covered supplies needed to host two Children's Fairs - one at Centro de Ayuda (an educational community center for Hispanic immigrants) and at Sarah's House (a housing program for homeless families).
Eagle Scouts

Provided funding to build an accessible ramp at the Alumni House on the Teel campus.
Eco Club

Supported the launch of a composting system in the school dining hall.
Intro to Medical Studies Club

Supported American Red Cross CPR training for all students interested in obtaining the certification.
Latin Club

The grant covered dues for national and state organization membership for all Latin students, and attendance at a national conference.
Model United Nations

Attended 3 virtual national conferences, the most in the club's history.
Severn River Fishing Club

Funding supported this new club's start-up costs, covering basic equipment and supplies.
Umbrella Club

Supplied materials to promote awareness and education around health within the Severn community.

Steve Soden, Upper School Head

"The challenge with a lot of service initiatives in high school is that they lack true engagement. It’s not a lack of care; indeed, the students typically care deeply about the causes they are tied to. Rather, it is a function of not knowing what to do. And the simple answer – fundraising -- is often the go-to for students.

The Partnership Program is wonderful because it eliminates the simple answer from the list of options. By providing the funding they would otherwise focus their efforts on acquiring, this program propels students into the next phase, which is actual service. The result is a student body that is focused more on doing and is truly engaged in service learning.

Partnership Program Puts Philanthropy Front and Center for Severn Students

Sometime things line up so perfectly, it’s as if they were meant to be.

At least that’s what it felt like in 2019, when two Severn School seniors – Brendan Murphy ‘20 and Colin Ervin ‘20 – walked into the Development Office with a pitch for a student-led broadcasting club that would cover the Upper School’s athletics program’s home competitions. They called it Admiral TV, and while they had a great idea and a detailed plan to make it happen, what they needed was funding.
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