Grants

Student Activities provides a one-stop shop for several different grant initiatives for registered student groups. These grants offer supplemental financial support for student group activities, programs, publications or development opportunities. The grants program is designed to offer opportunities for students to broaden their organizational potential and educational development through the co-curricular experience at the University of Minnesota. Student groups not only have the opportunity to receive money to sponsor their events but to also gain valuable experience in the areas of grant writing, event planning, budgeting and contributing to student life on campus.

For detailed information regarding grant eligibility, required policies and procedures, as well as the schedule of grant deadlines and online application, please visit the Student Activities grants website.

Suggestions for writing a successful grant application:

The grant application process is very competitive so it is imperative to begin planning early! See application due dates. All initiatives must take place at least one month after the application due date. If possible, complete your application further in advance of your event, and earlier in the academic year, to get optimal opportunity for funds.

Read the application thoroughly. Make sure that your planned event fits with the purpose, eligibility, and guidelines of the grant initiative you are applying for by consulting the eligibility matrix. Please e-mail saogrant@umn.edu if you have any questions.

Answer all questions on the grant application with detailed, specific information as this will be a major component in evaluating the merit of your application.

Clearly demonstrate how your event will benefit the greater University community.

Include a detailed and realistic budget and marketing plan.

Demonstrate that you are seeking funding from a variety of sources.

Meet with a Student Activities Advisor to go over your grant application before you submit it.

Make sure that you meet all deadlines throughout the grants process in order to maintain eligibility for future grant opportunities.

Completing a Student Activities Grant Application:

1. Student group name and assigned group ID #
2. Names of partnering groups, if applicable
3. Contact information (mailing address, phone number, email address, etc.)
4. Amount you are requesting
5. Name, date, time and location of event
6. Number of anticipated participants
7. Status of room/location reservations
8. Information about food vendor(s) and status of food permit, if applicable
9. Itemized details regarding supplies for event
10. Publicity plan
11. Plan for utilizing the grant logos
12. Information about performers/speakers/presenters, including travel and lodging details, if applicable
13. Detailed information about other funding sources
14. Event implementation plan
15. Details about admission fees, if applicable
16. Overall purpose of event
17. Description of how event will help to promote student development, diversity and/or a sense of community on campus
18. Description of how event fits the eligibility for the grant initiative(s)
19. Description of improvements to event, if it has been held previously
20. Description of how will information be shared with the campus community, if applying for grants to be applied toward conference attendance costs
21. Description of collaborative efforts for all partnering organizations
22. Careful estimation of ALL event expenses and income