CSAC promotes the concept and practice of sustainability for MSU, including the community and MSU’s satellite institutions.

The CSAC Finance Committee offers funding to a diversity of projects centered around sustainability, with funding available for the following types of proposals:

1. Small Grants

For travel, sundries, and event co-sponsorships with campus partners

Rolling deadline for proposals under $500 (must be received by June 15, 2021)

Please visit the Small Grants webpage for more information and how to apply

2. Major Projects

Academic Year 2020-2021 Theme - "Sustainability, Equity, and Social Justice"

Competitive grant for projects addressing year's theme

Proposal deadline is February 15, 2020; for activities through June 2021

Please visit the Major Projects webpage for more information and how to apply

Funding Guidelines

1. Project must have a faculty, staff or department advisor;

2. Project addresses campus sustainability priority areas (http://www.montana.edu/sustainability/programsandinitiatives/index.html);

3. A total of $12,500 will be allocated in a given fiscal year. Funding requests may be made for up to this amount. In conjunction with the Office of Sustainability, CSAC will determine the award amount and may award multiple projects funding based on submitted proposals;

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. Project advances campus sustainability;

6. Matching funds are desirable, but not required.

1. Project title, requestor and advising organization/person

2. Project description (2 paragraphs)

3. Budget summary

4. Additional supporting departments and/or funding

5. Total project funding

6. Implementation plan

7. Measures of success

8. Explanation of how project advances campus sustainability - competitive applications will reference the campus sustainability priority areas.

Project conclusion: Brief written report and oral presentation to CSAC due within 3 months of project completion including results, recommendations, 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.

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 Funds

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.

8. Other activities consistent with the mission of the Campus Sustainability Advisory Committee   

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.).