The CommUnity Grants program was established during the fall quarter of 2011 to provide additional funding for student-initiated activities that promote cross-cultural exploration and dialogue. CommUnity Grants are funded by the URC Interfaith Fund, a generous donation to the university made by the University Religious Conference of Santa Barbara upon the dissolution of the organization in 2011.
CommUnity Grants are designed to promote campus discourse around issues related to identity and cross-cultural interaction, as well as to enhance collaboration between diverse student organizations in order to build understanding and unity.
In other words, CommUnity Grants are available to support programs that convene individuals and groups representing different identities in order to promote cross-cultural awareness, understanding, and appreciation. Here, "identities" is used in a broad sense and includes, but is not limited to sex or gender, race or ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion or spirituality, ability, national origin, and familial status.
Examples include
- Activities or events that bring together students from diverse religious traditions
- A community service project in Isla Vista that brings together students from diverse cultural traditions
- A panel discussion or speaker planned by two or more student groups who do not normally collaborate (e.g. several fraternities, sororities, and other registered campus organizations)
- Planning and coordinating campus and community events, such as “unity dinners" to foster discussion of local, national, and global issues concerning interreligious understanding and social justice
- Developing educational campaigns and other outreach strategies to encourage and promote positive community values, respect for diverse opinions, and peace
Funding Criteria
All events awarded CommUnity Grants funding will be
- Planned and implemented by at least two distinct Registered Campus Organizations (RCOs) or Associated students entities
- Consistent with the CommUnity Grants program mission to promote campus discourse around issues related to identity and cross-cultural interaction (see above)
- Open to the entire UCSB community
- Held in a public venue on campus or in Isla Vista
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted at least four weeks in advance of the event date. Registered Campus Organizations can apply directly on Shoreline.
- Schedule a pre-application meeting to make sure that your proposal follows the grant guidelines.
- Complete the event planning process in your organization’s Shoreline.
- Fill out the CommUnity Grants application in Shoreline.
- The CommUnity Grants committee will contact one officer from each sponsoring. organization to schedule their attendance at a CommUnity Grants Committee Interview to present and discuss their application prior to funding consideration and approval.
Funding Facts
- CommUnity grants are available during fall, winter, and spring quarters. RCOs can apply for funding for an event at any time during the current academic year.
- Awards are intended to defray partial–not full–event costs. Funding will not be granted to purchase equipment, costumes or door prizes. Award amounts vary with a maximum of $500 and are refund-based. Students have to submit receipts to be refunded for expenses incurred.
- No student organization shall be awarded more than one CommUnity Grant per quarter and no retroactive funding requests will be approved.
- Unused awards will be returned to the CommUnity Grants account.
- "CommUnity Grants" and the "URC Interfaith Fund" must be acknowledged as co-sponsors on all promotional and program materials. Logos are available for download below.
- All CommUnity Grants recipients are required to submit a CommUnity Grants Event and Funding Evaluation on Shoreline during the week following the sponsored event. Failure to complete the evaluation may result in revocation of funding.
Contact
Assistance is available to officers throughout the CommUnity Grants application
and funding process
Viviana Marsano, Director, Civic and Community Engagement & Isla Vista Liaison and Senior Advisor to Campus Organizations
Logo
The logo is available for use on publicity materials.
Download (PDF format)
