The University of Georgia Parents Leadership Council (PLC) has awarded 12 grants as part of its 2026 funding cycle to units within UGA Public Service and Outreach (PSO), supporting programs that enhance student learning while strengthening communities across Georgia.

Funding from the PLC helps PSO advance its community engagement work by empowering students with opportunities to apply classroom learning to community needs. These investments allow PSO units to expand experiential education, leadership development and service-learning programs that prepare students for careers in public service, while benefiting organizations and communities throughout the state. Students gain practical skills, professional experience and a deeper understanding of how their work can create change.

Programs receiving PLC grants span multiple PSO units and address areas such as rural development, leadership training, food security, sustainability, hospitality management and cybersecurity.

PSO grant recipients for PLC’s 2026 giving cycle include:

Campus Kitchen at UGA (Office of Service-Learning)

Coaching4Success Lead Success Coaches (Office of Service-Learning)

Experience UGA Ambassador Program (Office of Service-Learning)

Hospitality and Food Industry Management Internship (Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel)

Learning by Leading™ (State Botanical Garden of Georgia)

PROPEL Rural Scholars (Carl Vinson Institute of Government)

Service-Learning Transportation Grants (Office of Service-Learning)

Social Media & Digital Storytelling (Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel) (Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel)

Student Ambassador Leadership Certificate Program (J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development)

Summer Academy Jr. Camps (Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel)

UGA CyberArch Program (Carl Vinson Institute of Government)

Vinson Fellows Program (Carl Vinson Institute of Government)

The PLC is made up of UGA parents who invest in efforts that enrich undergraduate student experiences. Each year, PLC grants empower UGA schools, colleges, departments and registered student organizations to launch impactful programs and meet critical student needs. In 2025, the PLC raised a record $1.6 million to benefit 145 student organizations and campus programs. Since its founding in 2012, the PLC has grown to include more than 400 families and has raised $10 million for student programs, scholarship funds and other undergraduate student resources across campus.