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Funding

Registered student organizations and their members have many opportunities to seek funding through institutional grants, student government allocations, individual financial need, and more. Please browse the appropriate opportunities below that best fits your or your group's needs.

Note that crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter, GoFundMe, and IndieGogo are strictly prohibited for fundraising for Northwestern registered student organizations. If you do not find your solution among the opportunities below, please connect with your advisor.

Student Activities Assistance Fund

The Student Activities Assistance Fund (SAAF) assists students in registered student organizations, competitive sports teams, and fraternities & sororities with financial support to participate fully in their student organization’s programs and events. Student groups such as dance teams, service organizations, and a cappella groups often require their members to pay for group trips, supplies, and competitions. The SAAF is meant to help reduce the financial burden these activities may cause students.

The fund is meant to help those students who could not afford to participate without any external aid. This is a grant for individuals, not organizations. If multiple members of a group require assistance, they must each fill out an individual application. Full details available on the SAAF info page. 

Associated Student Government Allocations

The student activity fee supports nearly 130 registered student organizations at Northwestern each year.  Registered student organizations who have been established at Northwestern for more than one year can apply to be eligible for ASG allocations. For more information about how to be eligible for ASG allocations, email: asg-finance@u.northwestern.edu

ASG Executive Grants

Focused on providing additional pathways for students to access resources, the ASG Executive Grant (AEG) consolidates ASG’s three largest grant programs, the Wild Ideas, Community Building, and Affinity grants, into one funding pool. Applications for organizations and initiatives that focus on strengthening affinity groups and events, community building activities, and innovative ideas will be prioritized during evaluations, though everyone is encouraged to apply.

ASG Sustainability Grants

The ASG sustainability grant is awarded to student groups seeking to promote and improve sustainability at Northwestern. We manage $2000 per quarter ($6000 annually). Applicants can ask for up to $500 of funding per quarter. Guidelines and the application can be found here: Sustainability Grant Guidelines

ASG New Student Org Fund

The New Student Org Fund application is open from February 10, 2025 through February 23, 2025. This is open to student groups who were established within the past two years and are currently active with SOA.

 

Catalyzer

Catalyzer, Northwestern’s crowdfunding platform managed by Alumni Relations and Development, enables registered students groups to raise money for projects that make an impact—socially, culturally, and globally. Through Catalyzer, student groups have raised money to launch new programming, bring in dynamic speakers, facilitate workshops, and more! Catalyzer projects benefit the broader Northwestern community, further the mission of the University, and include an educational component. 

Corporate Engagement

There are often opportunities to connect with corporate sponsors who already have a relationship with Northwestern or your cause. Student groups have a designated corporate engagement officer who will work directly with you to make sure your fundraising efforts are compliant with Northwestern policy and meet your goals. Visit the Office of Corporate Engagement (OCE) site for resources, and be sure to connect directly with your RSO advisor or reach out to Corporate@northwestern.edu.

Co-Sponsoring with Other Student Groups of Campus Departments

Many student groups seeking to sponsor or host an event that is bigger than their budget will pool resources with similar groups, their graduate/professional student equivalent group or university offices that share their interest or cause. Wondering if that group is out there? Visit Wildcat Connection and search the database. Many large budget events with popular draws are the result of collaborations and cooperations with budgets, personnel, and marketing efforts.

Hillel Make It Happen Grant

Northwestern Hillel has grants available. Learn more about opportunities on the Hillel website.

InclusionNU Fund

The InclusionNU Fund is a grant distributed by Campus Inclusion and Community (CIC) that supports registered Northwestern University student organizations in implementing programs and initiatives. Please be sure to review the InclusionNU Fund webpage carefully for application windows and deadlines. 

Senior Leader Fund

The Office of the President, Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and/or Office of the Provost have a budget to support registered student organizations and events. Applications reviewed quarterly after you complete the online request form.

This fund is available to student organizations who have exhausted all other available avenues to funding at Northwestern.

SES One Form

The SES One Form is an application portal that allows students to apply for multiple funding opportunities through one standard application. You can access SES One Form with your Northwestern NetID and password. Click here to access the portal.

How to Apply
  • First-time users: If you're applying for an opportunity or resource for the first time, you must complete BOTH the Basic Profile AND the specific opportunity or resource application. For example, if you are applying for the Student Activity Assistance Fund (SAAF), you must complete your general application AND the SAAF application. The actual application you are looking for will have different questions than the Basic Profile. 
  • Repeat users: If you've already submitted your "Basic Profile”, all you need to do is submit your opportunity/resource specific application. The nice thing about One Form is that your Basic Profile is saved for the entire academic year, so that you don't have to repeat your financial narrative, multiple times throughout the year. 

For questions, please contact enrichment@northwestern.edu.

More Opportunities

Student Organizations & Activities and the Alumni Relations & Development offices occasionally hear about opportunities for student groups to fundraise throughout the year. Information about these options are included in the SOA Newsletter emailed to presidents & treasurers. Connect with your president or treasurer or scroll down to the the news section on the SOA Wildcat Connection page for more details.