UCCS Farm receives sponsorship grant for student education and entrepreneurship initiatives

The UCCS Farm was recently bestowed a $2,000 grant from the William Stanley Foundation to sponsor UCCS Farmers Market Student Education and Entrepreneurship Initiative, including educational workshops, the Mentorship Program, and resource development and procurement for the 2025 Farmers Market.

“The UCCS Farm is excited for this new partnership and sponsorship opportunity for student entrepreneurs who are participating in the 2025 Farmers Market,” said Polly Knutson, Director of Sustainability Programing and UCCS Farm. “Critical competencies such as budgeting, pricing strategies, marketing, and customer engagement are essential for entrepreneurial success. The Farmers Market provides student vendors an avenue to practice the educational theories they are learning in the classroom in a real world application.”

The workshops, hosted by local business owners, community leaders and university faculty and staff, will focus on financial literacy, pricing strategies, marketing and customer service. With the Mentorship Program, student vendors will be paired with local business mentors for personalized guidance and feedback on their ventures, and resource development will include educational materials such templates for business plans, pricing calculators and marketing guides. Additionally, the grant will help fund tables and chairs for student vendors, a much-needed resource to present products professionally and create a welcoming and functional market environment.

The William Stanley Foundation provides $2,000 grants to individuals and groups in support of their educational, financial, and entrepreneurial goals. Founded and lead by William R. Stanley, also known as “Money Coach Bill” and his pup, Zorro the Money Dog, the nonprofit seeks to make impact with small grants at the ground level. Stanley is a financial advisor and author who is passionate about teaching people of all ages about financial literacy, including college students via courses here at UCCS.

“The William Stanley Foundation’s support will enable the UCCS Farmers Market to empower students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as entrepreneurs and stewards of sustainable business practices,” Knutson said. “This program will have a lasting impact on participants, the campus, and the local community, aligning perfectly with the foundation’s mission to support education and innovation.”