Student Organization Member Development Grant
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What is a Member Development Grant?
The Member Development Grant program will allow student organizations to apply for funding up to $500 to host a developmental opportunity for student organization members. A member development experience is designed to meaningfully contribute to a member's connection to the organization and other members by fostering relationships as well as developing Leadership Capacity and Confidence, Social Perspective Taking, and/or Wellness, as defined by the Student Organization Success Framework. Developmental programs can be single events or multi-day experiences, but must start and end within the appropriate date range for the funding window. Programs can be intended for general members, leadership teams, and/or new members. The grant is intended to be an inward-facing funding source, meaning it should be benefiting members of the organization directly. Programs that are reaching a wider student audience than just organization members should be a Programming Funds application. Programs that should otherwise be a Programming Funds application will not be funded by this grant. Learn more about other funding sources at go.osu.edu/StudentOrgFunding.
Examples:
- Team-building experience
- Leadership Retreat
- Book club
- Symposium/conference/seminar
- Arts and crafts activity
- Film screening
Organization's can collaborate with another student organization to put on a combined event that all members may attend using the Member Development Grant and each organiztion is eligible to apply for up to $500, up to a maximum of $1,000. See below FAQs for more information on collaborative programs.
Funds will be available by application in 4 funding windows, aligned with the Programming Funds application timeline.
Full compliance with campus policies is required and the details of this program are subject to change based on changes to campus operations. For questions regarding the application or funds, email csls@osu.edu.
Application Deadlines
- July 1 for events happening between August 16 - October 15
- September 1 for events happening between October 16 - December 31
- November 1 for events happening between January 1 - March 15
- February 1 for events happening between March 16 - May 31
You must apply in the correct appplication window. If you apply too early, you will be asked to re-apply in the correct window. For example, if your event will take place on November 10 and you apply before July 15, you are applying by the deadline for events between August 16 - October 15 and thus not in the correct window for your event. For an event on Novemeber 10, you must apply between July 16 and September 1. Make sure you apply in the correct window or you will be asked to reapply. The application for the next window opens the day after the previous application deadline (i.e. September 2 for the November 1 deadline).
Expectations
Any experience funded through the Member Development Grant must meet the following requirements:
- Meet the purpose for a Member Development Grant
- Connect to at least one of the Member Development outcomes from the Student Organization Success Framework
- Be intended for organization members, which can be defined as new members, general members, and/or leadership team. Alumni may be involved, but cannot be the primary audience.
- Include a relationship-building component
Student organizations can apply for up to $500 toward their program. Expenses must be detailed in an itemized budget for approval. Funds can be provided in one of two methods:
1) Your organization funds the costs associated with the experience up-front and receives funding in a reimbursement. This means that your organization will manage the purchasing and receiving of goods and services independently. This is the most flexible and efficient option and is the recommended choice. You will submit a detailed audit with receipts within 14 days of the ending of the program. Student Activities will reimburse the approved expenses in one check written to your organization. If the audit and receipts are not received within the 14-day window, reimbursement will not be provided.
2) Student Activities purchases products on behalf of your organization. If this option is selected, direct and prompt communication with Student Activities staff will be required, and is beholden to event, communication, purchasing, and receiving timelines. It may take 6-8 weeks from order date for products to be received. There may be specific vendors that are required due to Ohio State partnerships. Organizations using university-provided supplemental funding may not use this form of payment. If your intended activities/expenses require any form of contract or signature up-front, Student Activities will not be able to use this method of payment and will instead require reimbursement-based payment only. All physical items will be shipped to the Ohio Union Resource Room.
See below for more information on what can and cannot be funded as well as funding details.
Apply Now by February 1 - Programs happening between March 16 - May 31
Contact
For general questions about the Member Development Grant, contact csls@osu.edu. For support with brainstorming, schedule a planning meeting with a Student Organization Success Coach.