Fundraising & Grants
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Membership Dues
Research shows that the attrition rate for organizations that charge a membership due is lower than those that do not because members who pay dues are more invested. Membership dues that are paid by your entire membership either each semester or annually, is a straightforward method of fundraising.
It is important that new members are aware that the organization collects dues. This information should be included on your Hornslink (Links to an external site.) page under Membership Requirements. It is also important that prior to charging dues, the amount of dues, timeline for collection of dues, and consequences for a member who does not pay dues is written into the bylaws and voted upon by the members. Some organization bylaws include a procedure for handling a member who is dedicated to the organization, but is financially unable to pay dues. This is called a hardship dues exemption. The criteria for the exemption should be strict, clear and the exemption given rarely.
Fundraising Funds
Annual & semesterly fundraising
Your student organization might fundraise for a number of reasons. You may wish to raise funds for a charity, gain start up capital for an upcoming event and/or for the purchasing of goods or services for the operations of your organization. Fundraising is the most common source of funds for student organizations.
On-Campus Sales
Student organizations are permitted to sell items on campus that they legally own. This could include t-shirts that the student organization had printed, baked goods they made, pizzas that were purchased from or donated by a vendor, or other goods. Student organizations should always consult Student Activities prior to holding a sale in order to reserve the best location for the sale.
Events
Student organizations may choose to hold a fundraising event either on or off campus. Frequently, attendees are required to purchase a ticket for entry or for a special part of the event, such as a dinner. Depending upon the location of the event, particularly on campus, different rules may apply. Student Activities is happy to consult on any event whether it is being held on or off campus.
Grant Funds
Graduate Student Assembly - https://www.utgsa.net/appropriations (Links to an external site.)
Senate of College Councils - https://utsenate.org/scholarships (Links to an external site.)
Campus Events + Entertainment - https://utexas.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/campuseventscosponsorshipboard (Links to an external site.)
Student Government - https://www.utsg.org/ (Links to an external site.)
- Continue to revisit UTSG website for updates on award funding
Texas Parents - (Links to an external site.)https://texasparents.org/grants (Links to an external site.)
- Continue to revisit TexasParents webpage for updates on school year grants.
University Co-op - https://www.universitycoop.com/info/apply-for-funding (Links to an external site.)
- Visit the University Co-op website to contact them about sources of funding.
University Academic and Administrative Units - https://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/doscentral/studentorgfundingsources.php (Links to an external site.)
Other registered student organizations (RSOs)
- RSOs have many options when seeking funding for an event. Those available on campus are listed on this page. It is important to know that each of the funding sources have different application processes and timelines for their resources. You should carefully review the guidelines for each source in order to meet deadlines and apply correctly.
- Additionally, it is important to determine whether the funding available is a good fit for your event. Most funding sources require that the event be open and advertised to the entire UT Austin community, some require that the event have an educational purpose, and so forth. More information can be found on the specific entities' websites.
Student organizations can also approach university academic or administrative units or other student organizations about providing funding to co-sponsor an event. If you choose to propose a co-sponsored event, you should be able to provide the department or the other organization with a clear proposal of how the event will benefit them, what the budget will be, and how the funds you are requesting will be used. The more prepared you are with this proposal, the better your chances are for success!
Donations (Monetary & Goods)
Student Organizations may also request cash donations while tabling on campus. Donors should receive a receipt for their donation. Persons passing cannot be harassed or intimidated into giving a donation.
Donation from a Business
Donations of goods from off-campus organizations such as a food vendor or t-shirt business may also be accepted. However, an off-campus organization may never co-sponsor an on-campus event or provide a student organization with a donation to gain access to University space or resources.
Donating for-profit and non-profit businesses may be given "special thanks" in plain text on student organization literature or verbally at an event. If the student organization sells items donated by a business, the student organization must keep all of the profits. Consignment arrangements are prohibited. A consignment arrangement occurs when a student organization agrees to sells goods or items that belong to a business or off-campus organization. The business and student organization split the profits and any unsold items are returned to the business.
Risk Managament
In all cases of fundraising, precautions should be taken to protect the members of your organization as well as the monies you have raised. No member of your student organization should ever be alone when collecting funds; if large sums of money are anticipated, security should be hired to be on site; the funds collected should be counted by two officers of the student organization in a safe and private place; and all funds collected should be deposited into the organizations bank account as quickly as possible following the event. Under no circumstances should money be left unattended or stored overnight in a member's car or home.