Longhorns for Education, Access, and Development Initiative (LEAD)

The LEAD Initiative, a partnership between Texas Athletics and the Office of the Dean of Students, gives student-athletes the opportunity to engage in impactful collaborations with community-based organizations in Texas with resources in the following areas: education services, recreation activities, basic needs, and/or emergency services. The LEAD Initiative provides student-athletes with experience in real-world civic leadership and empowers them to go above and beyond to strengthen communities by building avenues for lasting relationships with the university.

Areas of Impact

Organizations requesting support must provide services or programming in one or more of the following:

• Education services: educational support and resources to ensure student success from pre-k to college and beyond.
• Recreation activities: support for extracurricular and/or recreation activities including but not limited to programming in the arts, after school clubs, sports, etc.
• Basic needs: services that assist in creating long-term well-being for those in our community without adequate access to food, clothing, housing, and/or services such as sanitation and healthcare.
• Emergency services: to assist with resolving legal, medical and other expenses that arise due to unprecedented circumstances and/or events.

Guidelines and Processes

Requirements for sponsoring non-profit community organizations

Sponsorship funding may be provided if all the following requirements are met, but it is not guaranteed. Approval of sponsorship is determined at the discretion of the university.

• The requesting organization must provide services in one or more of the following areas:
  • Education services, recreation activities, basic needs and/or emergency services.
• Funds may not be awarded to trainings, programs, or activities designed or implemented in reference to race, color, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation, other than trainings, programs, or activities for the sole purpose of ensuring compliance with any applicable court order or state or federal law.
• Sponsorship awards are one-time agreements.
• Organizations may only receive funding once per year (September 1-August 31).
• Applicants must complete the online Sponsorship Request Form and include the following documents:
  • Proposal letter describing organization and event or program, including details describing how funds will be applied
  • Sponsorship packet (if available)
  • Budget spreadsheet (optional)
  • For access to student-athlete volunteers, complete: Student-Athlete Appearance Request Form

Application Review Process

Applications are reviewed bimonthly and on a rolling basis from September-April. Applications submitted after the close of the spring semester will be reviewed in September.

• Review committee comprised of student-athletes, with guidance on process from Texas Athletics and Office of the Dean of Students staff.
• Only complete applications are reviewed; please submit all required documents.
• Applications are reviewed in the order they are received.
• Organizations will be notified of application status as soon as possible after application is reviewed.

Questions and Contact

For questions regarding LEAD Initiative partnership and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Amory Krueger – amory.krueger@austin.utexas.edu.