The Ann Radcliffe Trust doled out its first official grants this month to student groups with an interest in women's issues. The Trust awarded $4,050 of the roughly $20,000 it can distribute this year.

Thirteen groups out of 16 that applied received funding. Two groups received awards of $500 dollars, the largest sum awarded.

The magazine Diversity and Distinction received $500 to publish an issue devoted to women. Latinas Unidas also received $500 to organize a conference entitled "Latin@Crossroads."

The smallest grant, $150, went to Students for Choice to make an informational display in the Science Center about the U.S. presidential candidates' voting records on abortion-related issues. The group also received a second grant of $250 to fund a panel presentation.

Most groups received considerably less than they asked for in the grant application. Radcliffe Rugby, for instance, asked for $700 and received $400.

Only the Women's Leadership Project (WLP) received the full amount it asked for, $350, to pay for an upcoming concert featuring female performers.

And although members of the Trust's Student-Faculty advisory committee have said they want to steer clear of funding groups' operational costs, preferring instead to give money for specific events, Radcliffe Rugby's $400 was granted for "general team expenses."

Stacie K. Persons '02, president of Radcliffe Rugby, said she was surprised her group received the money considering the Trust's publicly expressed desire to steer clear of operational expenses.