Fourth Economy helped secure funding for our client, the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, by leading grant proposal development for the Lilly Endowment’s College and Community Collaboration (CCC) initiative, as well as an “Opportunity Memo” for recommended pursuits beyond the CCC initiative.
Innovation Center at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (RHIT). Photo from Fourth Economy.
The Client
The Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (RHIT), located in Terre Haute, Indiana, is a private university renowned for fostering talent, as
demonstrated by its 25 consecutive years as the number 1 ranked undergraduate engineering college in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges Guide.
The Challenge
The future prosperity of Rose-Hulman is inherently linked to the overall health and vitality of the Terre Haute region. This project presented an opportunity to explore, in collaboration with the community, how Rose-Hulman could more systematically and meaningfully contribute to the well-being of Terre Haute.
Our Approach
To ensure a prosperous future for Rose-Hulman and the city of Terre Haute, Fourth Economy:
Conducted a community assessment using data to understand the community strengths and opportunities
Convened an advisory committee of Rose faculty as well as community members to help guide and inform the project
Garnered community input by hosting 20 interviews with community members, Rose alumni, and Rose staff
Worked with the university’s leadership team to conduct an opportunity analysis that included a community assessment of Terre Haute and engagement with residents and stakeholders about potential campus and community collaborations
The learnings from community engagement and resulting opportunity analysis were synthesized in a grant proposal for the Lilly Endowment’s College and Community Collaboration (CCC) initiative, as well as an “Opportunity Memo” for recommended pursuits beyond the CCC initiative.
A central point on the RHIT campus. Photo from Fourth Economy.
Results
In August 2024, Rose-Hulman was awarded a $30.5 million grant from Lilly Endowment to launch the Trails to Innovation project, marking the largest single contribution in the college’s history. The key tenants of the project include:
Entrepreneurship and Technology Hub:
Engineering consulting and technology design and development firm
Surgical center for hip and knee replacements
STEM and robotics education programs
Dedicated spaces for Rose-Hulman's network of entrepreneurial alumni and supporters to mentor and collaborate with emerging innovators
A 5 megawatt (MW) solar farm
Trail Network that promotes active lifestyles and community engagement
We do certainly recognize the key role that Fourth Economy played in us reaching the point of submitting a successful proposal and owe you and your team a huge debt of gratitude for that work and counsel. We believe this grant and the groundswell of support we’ve received surrounding this award will be transformational for Rose-Hulman. Thank you for your invaluable support and for being a crucial part of this exciting journey. We look forward to the profound impact this initiative will have on our community." - Robert A. Coons, President, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Learn more about the project’s trajectory here.
Do you need support in developing large-scale grant proposals to meet community needs? Or do you need assistance bringing to life a future where all community members can thrive? Fourth Economy is well equipped to support your community development efforts with equitable engagement, data analysis, and strategic recommendations. Reach out to learn more.
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