CAMPUS INCLUSION & COMMUNITY

Funding proposals must fall into at least one of the following three categories:

1. Identity Development: Events under this category promote the exploration of social identity in order to increase participants' self-awareness and sense of community. Event goals can include increasing participants' sense of confidence and pride in their identity; enhancing participants' sense of belonging on campus; and developing relationships and a sense of identity among members of an identity-based community.
2. Wellness:  Events under this category enhance the overall well-being of marginalized communities within at least one of eight dimensions of wellness: physical, spiritual, financial, psychological, social, environmental, occupational, and/or intellectual. Event goals can include increasing participants' understanding of practices for maintaining wellness; increasing participants' understanding of the scope of wellness and how it can be impacted by identity; and increasing participants' understanding of the way systemic issues have created disparities in wellness among different communities.
3. Education and Awareness: Events under this category promote understanding across difference through dialogue and education. Event goals can include increasing participants' knowledge of a specific issue or community; and building relationships and coalitions across communities.  

The InclusionNU Fund also prioritizes proposals that:

• Focus their impact on Northwestern students and the Northwestern community
• Do not receive funding through ASG
• Provide free admission to NU community members

• A Post-Event Summary Form 
• Turn in all required documentation within 30 days of their event. Please refer to the “Receiving an Award” section for details about required documents.
• Groups that do not submit required documentation by the deadline will not receive their funding and will be ineligible to apply for further funding until their documentation is submitted.

InclusionNU Fund grant proposals are accepted two times a quarter (Weeks 2 and 5), for a total of 6 funding cycles during the academic year. Proposals must be for events/initiatives that occur within three weeks after the funding cycle deadline.

Applications are due on Fridays by 2:00 PM Central Time on the following dates:

InclusionNU funds can be used for most event-related costs, including honorariums, supplies and equipment, food, travel, and venue rental. InclusionNU funds may also be used to facilitate virtual programming and events, including expenses related to technology licenses, equipment, and accessibility.

InclusionNU funds may not be used for the following:

• Individual support. Individual support requests should be submitted through the Student Activities Assistance Fund (SAAF).
• Events where alcohol is available or allowed.
• Student tuition, books, fees, etc.
• Late fees and penalties (ex: SOFO check rushing fee).
• Fundraising events.
• Mileage reimbursement for personal vehicle use.
• Payments that fail to comply with SOFO policy. This includes Illinois state sales tax. Please visit the SOFO website to ensure your event's expenses are in compliance with SOFO policy. 

• Each proposal will be reviewed by the InclusionNU Funding Board based on alignment with CIC's mission and the fund's priorities.
• The amount awarded to each group will also be based on funding availability and the amount of proposals received during each grant cycle.
• Proposals are not guaranteed to receive an award.
• Proposals are reviewed and applicants are notified of the Funding Board's decision within one week of the funding deadline.

• Award agreements must be signed and returned within a week of receipt in order to confirm your award.
• Award letters should be presented to SOFO to allow for deficit spending, up to and not to exceed the amount awarded.
• InclusionNU Fund awards are disbursed on a reimbursement basis, and are deposited into an organization's SOFO account after all required documentation is received.
• Groups awarded a grant must complete a Post-Event Summary Form and turn in all required documentation within 30 days of their event in order for their award to be transferred to their SOFO account.
• Required post-event documentation includes:
• Attendance record
• Expenses spreadsheet
• Payment/purchase documentation: receipts, contracts, invoices, etc.

Please contact CIC staff at inclusion-nu@u.northwestern.edu with questions or for more information.