MSU Campus Sustainability Advisory Council

Project Funding Assistance: Small Grants 2020-2021

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Statement of Purpose

CSAC promotes the concept and practice of sustainability for MSU, including the community and MSU’s satellite institutions.  The small grants program will fund travel, event co-sponsorships, small projects, or other miscellaneous expenses ($500 or less) for projects that are in alignment with campus sustainability priority areas.

Application Deadline: Rolling (must be received by June 15, 2021)

Application Criteria

  1. Project must have a faculty, staff or department advisor;
  2. Projects addresses campus sustainability priority areas (https://www.montana.edu/sustainability/programs_and_projects/);
  3. A total of $2,500 will be allocated in a given fiscal year towards small grant funding. Multiple funding requests of $500 or less may be made each year; for larger projects please check out the Major Projects application for awards up to $7500. In conjunction with the Office of Sustainability, CSAC will determine the award amount;
  4. Project implementation can extend beyond the funding deadline, but all funds awarded must be spent within the fiscal year during which they were awarded. Projects continuing past the end of the fiscal year must reapply for funding in the new fiscal year. Funds will not roll-over across fiscal years.
  5. Matching funds are desirable, but not required.

Project Funding Application Elements

  1. Project title, requestor and advising organization/person
  2. Project description (2 paragraphs)
  3. Budget summary
  4. Additional supporting departments and/or funding (if applicable)
  5. Total project funding
  6. Implementation plan
  7. Measures of success
  8. Explanation of how project will advance campus sustainability priority areas: https://www.montana.edu/sustainability/programs_and_projects/

Project Consideration

A brief Webex presentation to CSAC at the next meeting following an application being submitted, to present an overview of the project and budget and to respond to any questions from members.  This also serves as an opportunity for the project team to receive feedback, comments, and guidance from the committee that may help in implementation.

Reporting

Project conclusion: Brief written report and Webex presentation to CSAC due within 3 months of project completion including results, recommendations, and conclusions. Failure to report on project within the time frame will prohibit the requestor from applying for future funding through CSAC.

Financing/Billing: Project expenses must be submitted to the Office of Sustainability as they are incurred.

Additional Rules

All financial assistance for Sustainability Project Funding are subject to MUS rules governing appropriate use of State General Operating Funds. No cash prizes or salaries allowed.

Permitted and Prohibited Uses of Campus Sustainability Funds

Permitted Uses

The Funding Board may fund:

  1. Seed monies for fundraising activities for registered campus organizations.
  2. Travel (domestic only, excluding Canada) to conferences and competitions related to the registered student organization purposes.
  3. Registration fees for activities, events or conferences.
  4. Educational programs.
  5. Support for organizational operations such as publicity, office supplies, and activities of the registered student organization.
  6. Movies/films to be shown publicly or to advance the purpose of the registered student organization.
  7. Speakers/lectures.
  1. Other activities consistent with the mission of the Campus Sustainability Advisory Committee                             

Prohibited Uses

The Campus Sustainability Advisory Council will NOT fund:

  1. Purchase of alcohol or tobacco. NOTE: This excludes any minimum fees for alcohol service with approved university alcohol vendor.
  2. Philanthropic donations, charitable contributions or gifts of any type.
  3. State and Federal Income taxes.
  4. Any organization that does not have open enrollment and does not comply with the anti-discrimination section of the RSO Policies.
  5. Any item or activity deemed excessive, not justified, and/or in conflict with the mission of the registered student organization.
  6. Social functions that are not related to a program or educational event.
  7. Payment to members of the organization for any purpose.
  8. Funding Board will not accept funding application requests for programs/events/activities that have already occurred. No retroactive funding.
  9. Items already purchased before funding is approved.
  10. Scholarships.
  11. Bank account fees (initial deposits, overdraft, monthly fees, etc.).