Created in 2021, the Husky Sustainability Fund (HSF) provides students with the opportunity to engage in their communities on campus and beyond, supporting initiatives that contribute to a culture of sustainability. We define sustainability “in an inclusive way, encompassing human and ecological health, social justice, secure livelihoods and a better world for all generations” in alignment with AASHE (2020). Increased support for collaboration between students, faculty, and staff through HSF will allow students to play critical roles in the campus community and bring value to their voices and ideas. Driving sustainable programming into academics and campus operations, this fund promotes innovative project design and increased awareness of the ability to make real change on both individual and campus-wide scales.
Quick Links
Eligibility
Anyone requesting funding from the Husky Sustainability Fund must meet at least one of the following eligibility requirements:
- UW Tacoma registered student
- UW Tacoma RSO
- UW Tacoma Faculty working with UW-Tacoma students
- UW Tacoma staff working with UW-Tacoma students
All projects seeking funding from the Husky Sustainability Fund must meet the following basic eligibility criteria:
- The project must address a social, environmental, or economic sustainability issue.
- The project must directly impact the UW Tacoma campus or the surrounding community.
- The person submitting the project must be a student, faculty, or staff member at UW-Tacoma.
- Projects must provide the necessary documents, letters of support, and project authorization from relevant partnering departments prior to submission.
Special Note: If you are seeking conference, training, or travel funding please apply to the Conference and Training Fund.
Types of Grants
Mini Grant
A mini grant funds projects that are $1000 or less.
Mini grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout each quarter. Small-scale projects may include but are not limited to: making student events more sustainable, pilot or feasibility studies, sustainable materials, etc.
Large Grant
A large grant funds projects that are more than $1000.
Large grant applications are accepted for review once a quarter. Large grants are intended to fund projects that will be implemented in the following quarter and will likely need more approvals from campus departments and organizations. Large grants will require you to meet with a HSF team member before starting the application process.
Mini Grants
Project Guidelines
- Projects must directly benefit or impact UWT students.
- Projects must demonstrate an application to sustainability: environmental, social, or economic.
- Projects seeking funding within the same quarter as submitted must do so three weeks in advance of the planned event/project implementation.
- Funding for events must incorporate/address at two pillars of sustainability.
- Because of the dollar amount restrictions on mini grants, we will only consider funding personnel compensation on a case by case basis.
- The HSF cannot fund any food* or gifts.
*Some exceptions may apply. Contact for details.
Special Note: If you are seeking conference, training, or travel funding please apply to the Conference and Training Fund.
Application Deadline
The HSF Team accepts mini-grant proposals on a rolling basis throughout each quarter. You may submit requests and be approved for funding anytime during each quarter until the following deadlines:
- Autumn: Applications closed for autumn quarter
- Winter: March 6th, 2023 at 11:59 pm
- Spring: May 26th, 2023 at 11:59 pm
- Summer: The HSF does not accept any requests during the summer quarter.
Large Grants
Project Guidelines
Projects requesting funding from the Husky Sustainability Fund will be evaluated based on how they address the following:
- Three Pillars: Projects should address at least one sustainability pillar including environmental, social, or economic. A strong preference will be given to projects with heavy student participation.
- Sustainable Impact: Projects should build a more robust culture of sustainability. Possible sustainable impacts can include:
- Social sustainability: providing or expanding representation of underrepresented communities, interdisciplinary collaboration, wellness/health/safety, community engagement, and sustainable community building
- Environmental sustainability: reducing carbon footprints, reducing resource use, biodiversity, improving habitats and living systems, and environmental justice.
- Economic sustainability: reducing the ongoing adverse financial impact on the university, students, and the community
- Student Involvement: Student initiated projects will be prioritized over all other projects. If staff or faculty is involved with a project, the roles of all individuals must be clearly outlined in the application materials. Projects must center student voices, needs, and demonstrate student leadership and involvement throughout the application process to be considered for funding.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Initiatives focusing on serving the diverse student body at UW Tacoma will be prioritized. All projects aiming to create greater accessibility, safety, and student wellness will be given priority during funding decisions.
- Education, Outreach, and Behavior Change: All projects seeking funding must include an education/outreach component to help cultivate a more engaged and inclusive community. If a project is not visible or interactive, the education and outreach plan will need to include strategies for student awareness and provide a monitoring plan to ensure project transparency.
- Feasibility and Accountability: Applicants must provide proper departmental/organizational approvals and demonstrate the necessary technical knowledge to complete the project. We encourage students to utilize the knowledge and support of a faculty or staff member. The Husky Sustainability Fund cannot provide significant funding for ongoing maintenance or staffing, therefore the project should demonstrate a plan to meet long-term needs.
Application Deadline
The HSF Committee will only hold one voting meeting per quarter to review and vote on proposals. The application, voting, and notification deadlines are as follows.
- Autumn 2022:
- Applications closed for fall quarter
- Applications closed for fall quarter
- Winter 2023:
- March 6th, 2023
- March 11-26: HSF Committee deliberation and final funding decisions
- Spring 2023
- May 26th, 2023
- NOTE: Large grant proposals submitted by May 26th for summer funding will require secondary approval from SAFC.
- May 26th, 2023
Application
Grant Review Process
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Once submitted, the HSF team will review your application;
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We will contact you with any questions, concerns, or clarifications;
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Once vetted by our team, we will present all large grants to the HSF Committee for a vote;
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Final approval or rejection of your application will be sent to you via email;
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As needed, submit the “Project Status Report” form.
