Departmental Funding
Each year many student groups make funding requests from various University offices. Information about some of these departments and their funding guidelines is available.
The amount and number of requests has been increasing. As a result, a few requests can outstrip the resources available. Having communicated with various offices regarding these requests, the SAO recommends that you review your group's portfolio of programs and events and ensure that you have within your own budget the strong majority of resources needed to support them. It is essential that you look carefully at the expenses of any projected program before committing yourselves to it in the hope of securing supplemental funding from University offices. If you have crafted a realistic budget and come with reasonable expectations, many offices may be willing to underwrite some of your expenses.
While some departmental and/or University funding sources may have specific instructions regarding proposals, the following is a list of what a request should typically include:
- Brief description of your organization,
- Description of the activity or event for which funding is being requested, including the goal/purpose, date, time, location, and anticipated audience, and why you believe your program is related to the mission or goal of the department from which you are requesting funds, and an
- Itemized budget including costs and anticipated revenues. Please include a list of all other funding requests submitted and how much has been granted to date, information about the organization's current account balance and committed uses for these funds, and the specific funding request being made of the department and what benefits the department should expect in return (i.e. promotion on advertisement, credit at introduction of the event, fee tickets, etc.)
Please note that post-event funding requests are rarely, if ever, honored and many offices will ask to have their support recognized on any publicity -- so be sure to make any requests well in advance of your event.
It is suggested that before you submit a funding request to a department that you first meet with a member of the SAO staff to review your request and overall event or activity planning. Offices may inquire with the SAO about your event prior to granting funds, and it is beneficial if you've demonstrated responsible and pro-active planning.
Some University departments that offer funding have participated in a Guide to Departmental Funding.
Money from University departments requires an internal I.I. form from that department to the SAO. Please have the department call the SAO as soon as possible - not only for your account number but for the correct sub code to access our set of accounts. That will start the process; the SAO will need a verifying copy of their signed form and it will be posted to your account that day. If we do not receive one, it could take one month before it shows on your monthly trial balance sheets.