The Campus Sustainability Fund works to enhance campus and community resilience through innovation and collaboration and provides the unique opportunity for students to have a direct impact on campus sustainability and obtain project management experience through envisioning, creating, and leading campus projects. All projects are evaluated and selected by the Campus Sustainability Fund Committee.
While the opportunity is open to every campus community member, the CSF recognizes that writing a grant proposal is not a common experience and requires time, guidance, and some word-smithing. Writing grants is daunting, even for those who have had experience, but the CSF Committee is dedicated to making the process be more approachable. Here are some top tips for writing a grant for the CSF.
1. Decide which grant best fits your project’s needs
The CSF offers two grants: Mini and Annual. Mini Grants range from $250 - $5,000 and applications are made available both semesters. Annual Grants range from $5,001 - $100,000 and while the application process begins in fall and ends in spring, the funding is distributed to approved projects only in summer. Annual Grants can also be utilized to secure Multi-Year funding for a grant. The names speak for themselves in that Mini Grants are best suited for smaller projects with shorter time-frames (3-6 months) while Annual Grants can support larger endeavors that range from 1-3 years in timespan.
2. Review the application process and requirements
The CSF has changed some of the ways it reviews grants, which is important to know when writing your proposal. These details are on our web pages and have all the information you might need and more. Please ensure you’ve taken the time to review all the grant application dates, requirements, instructions, and expectations so nothing comes as a surprise. However, the Committee is available to answer any remaining questions you may have. You may email the Committee members or reach out to the Coordinator to set up a quick call or meeting to ensure that you have all the information you need to confidently begin writing a grant! To review the grant application processes, please head to our Mini Grant and Annual Grant webpages.
3. Identify your end goal
Before you begin writing your grant proposal, identify your overall goal. What are you asking for funding support for, what are you trying to accomplish throughout your application, and what will this project accomplish once it is complete? Clearly and concisely describe why the CSF is critical to the success of your project. This will help the Committee understand why you are proposing this project and why they should fund it.
4. Note the details
Make sure you pay attention to the word limits on responses, general directions throughout the application, and important dates. These rules and requirements are there to help you throughout your grant writing process and help you meet the CSF’s minimum requirements. Following these requirements will make sure your application is on the right track!
5. Lay a strong foundation
The Committee suggests that once you have an idea for a project, you review the previously funded project dashboard to see if the CSF has funded a project like yours. If they have, think of aspects in which your project is different and stands out.
It’ll also be important to ensure you have the resources and authorizations to see - your project through. Please be sure to explore if you have the time and resources to dedicate to this project—and if both Project Managers are students, please secure an advisor (Departmental Employee) that will assist you.
Arguably most important, please begin conversations with relevant partners and campus members early! You may utilize our Campus Contacts Guide to find out who you might need to talk with to get your proposal idea “okayed” prior to submitting it as an application. The Committee is always excited to see innovative and creative project ideas, but they also need to be feasible. Please make sure you have asked and been granted permission to renovate a building, install fixtures, create new landscaping, or have an event before requesting funding for it!
6. Don’t procrastinate
It is important to give yourself enough time to adequately complete your proposal. To be sure you are staying on track, outline official due dates set by the CSF and personal dates to complete sections.
7. Meet the criteria
The Committee scores each grant based on the strength or incorporation of the following criteria: logistics and feasibility, environmental sustainability, social sustainability, student leadership or involvement, and behavior change and education. When creating your project or program idea and writing your proposal, keep these categories in mind and ensure that you are thoroughly addressing or explaining how your project suggests each of these sections.
8. Communicate, collaborate, integrate, and repeat!
Throughout the application and grant writing process, make sure you are communicating with the Fund. It goes a long way when an applicant has taken the time to communicate with the CSF and integrate the feedback that has been given. Utilizing the resources the Committee provides, such as Office Hours, not only assists the applicant to find potential pitfalls in their plan as soon as possible, but also starts the conversation about your proposal early. The CSF is available through office hours, email, and outreach events.
9. Choose your words wisely
As you are drafting and editing, make sure to scan for grammar mistakes, incomplete sentences, and any missing words. Please minimize jargon that the CSF Committee will not understand. Your proposal should be clear and concise. Finding a good balance between explaining your proposal in layman's terms and still telling a good story is a happy medium.
Lastly, it's important to use your space wisely not only because there are character limitations, but also so that you’re maximizing response fields to include pertinent details! Please make sure you are not repeating your ideas or copying and pasting the same details and paragraphs into different response fields.
10. Be a good tour guide
No one knows your project idea better than you! Please remember to provide the context, background, and details of your project. When writing your grant proposal, switching between topics without finishing a thought will be confusing to the Committee. Please provide logical ties and transitions between project goals, objectives, and impacts. Your grant proposal should flow as a story without the reviewer becoming confused about your project’s overall goal. Be sure to have an advisor or close friend read your proposal so they can give you feedback from an “outsider’s perspective.” Finally, the CSF Committee appreciates when statistics, scientific information, or any other claims are accompanied with links to back them up, so please include them.
If you are receiving additional funding, make sure to highlight that in your proposal. If the full picture of funding isn’t provided, a proposal’s goals might seem too large for the budget request.
11. Make sure your proposal and budget agree
Each application includes a budget sheet. Please again remember that the Committee isn’t apprised of all the details of your application the way you and your team are—so explaining how your budget requests relate to your written proposal will be important.
Additionally, please certify that you have all necessary quotes, wages, and material prices included and explained. You should do this by writing a comment alongside each line item. If you are buying material, seek out wholesale options where applicable to your project.
12. Incorporate feedback from the Committee
The CSF requires a Preliminary Application for both Annual and Mini Grants. The Preliminary Application will allow the CSF Committee to give feedback so applications can be stronger during the Final Application cycle. Once the CSF gives their feedback, make sure to take it into consideration and integrate it into your application. This feedback is meant to help and move your project forward!
13. Use the roadblock hierarchy
It’s okay if you run into obstacles during the application process! However, it is important to know what to do when that happens. First, check with your advisor or mentor to see if they can help you solve the problem. Second, check the CSF’s online Q&A list to see if previous questions have been asked. Third, reach out to the Committee to see if they can support you. Lastly, email the Fund Coordinator and see if they can help through your issue.
If you have successfully secured a grant, congratulations! The committee is thrilled to work with you! Be sure to thank those that have helped you throughout the process. If you did not receive funding, utilize the feedback given to use in the next application cycle as the Committee would love to review your updated proposal.
We hope that these tips were helpful. Please check the webpages for application dates, to see the Committee’s office hours availability, and contact information. Please reach out with further questions or concerns! The CSF looks forward to receiving your application.