Spelman College Receives $21,000 Grant to Strengthen Campus Domestic Violence Prevention Efforts

Spelman College’s Office of Title IX and Compliance has received a $21,000 contribution from the Bison Impact Group (BIG), a nonprofit organization dedicated to introducing Black communities to golf as a tool for relational wellness while raising funds to combat domestic violence against women and children.

The funding reinforces Spelman’s ongoing commitment to ending domestic and intimate partner violence on campus. Over the past two years, BIG has contributed nearly $10,000 to Spelman’s Title IX office, helping sustain and expand prevention, education, and survivor-centered support services.

In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, BIG hosted its annual golf tournament—an event that uniquely blends sport, philanthropy, and advocacy. The tournament brings together students, survivors, and community members, creating space for healing conversations and awareness around the realities of domestic violence, while fostering connection through the game of golf.

“Partnerships like this one with Bison Impact Group allow us to expand the reach of our prevention and response efforts while also promoting healing through community engagement,” said Paula Hall, assistant director of Prevention & Intervention at Spelman. “It’s powerful to see sport and advocacy intersect for a cause that impacts so many in our communities.”

BIG works closely with Historically Black Colleges and Universities to address domestic and intimate partner violence, which remains the leading cause of death for Black women under the age of 45. Spelman College and Howard University—consistently ranked among the top HBCUs in the nation—serve as cornerstone partners in BIG’s mission. Funds raised through BIG initiatives directly support Spelman’s Violence Prevention & Intervention Program (VP&I) and Howard University’s Interpersonal Violence Prevention Program (IVPP).

“We strategically partnered with Howard and Spelman to provide the supports necessary for students and survivors to complete their education and to model healthy relational behaviors within the broader community,” said BIG Founder Russ Green.

BIG’s fundraising and awareness efforts extend beyond the golf course through initiatives such as BIG Boot Camp, Soulful Sundays, Skip Day for Kids and Caregivers, and the annual HBCU Golf Tournament, which is intentionally held during Domestic Violence Awareness Month and HBCU homecoming season.

“The funds raised by BIG give us the opportunity to address the direct needs of individuals right in front of us,” said Kristin Couch, associate director of Title IX and Compliance at Spelman. “Whether through training or trauma-informed response services, we’re able to meet people where they are.”

Through partnerships like this, Spelman College continues to strengthen its prevention infrastructure while reinforcing a campus culture rooted in safety, wellness, and collective responsibility.

For more information about the Bison Impact Group and its programs, visit their official website at Bison Impact Group – Golf, Domestic Violence Prevention