Community Service Grant Funding Guidelines

Funding Guidelines:

Funding is intended to directly support student-led service projects designed in collaboration with community organizations. Any item purchased must be directly used or consumed during the outlined project. Items cannot be purchased as donations to organizations. Awarded funds may only be applied to the event and activity described in the proposal. If your proposed budget includes items not clearly designated in the list of what items are permissible, please consult with the Holden Center prior to submitting your proposal.

We uphold these funding guidelines to maintain the spirit and purpose of the service grant program by centering sustainable use of funds and needs met for community partners, as well as the focus on growth through experiential learning. 

Grant Funds CAN Support:    

  • Printing, copying, or postage for materials directly used in the project         
  • Space or facility rental    
  • Materials or supplies used in the project 
  • Catering or food directly involved in project goals  
    • For example: If the recipient is hosting an educational and/or community event for unhoused folks and would like to provide a hot meal, we would be able to provide funds.    
  • Vehicle leasing   

Grant Funds CANNOT Support:

  • Catering or food for participant or applicant team’s consumption
    • For example: if the team is meeting to finish planning their event and wants to order pizza for dinner, we would not approve this use of funds. 
  • Equipment or items purchased to donate to an organization
  • Technology or other electronic equipment
    • We strongly encourage recipients to explore alternative resources instead of purchasing new technology or equipment. 
    • We may be able to approve equipment rental fees dependent upon cost and direct connection to project. 
    • In order for funds to be approved for technology or other electronic equipment, there would need to be a strong and direct connection to the project. For example, the equipment purchased to retrofit ride-on cars for children with different mobility needs was directly connected to the service grant.  
  • Personnel, employment, or payment for professional services
    • We do encourage supporting small and local businesses and are willing to make accommodations if there is a strong and direct connection to the service project. For example, we’ve previously had a recipient create a book as part of the project. In cases like this, we would like to support a local illustrator. In every case, funding must be in alignment with the UO Code of Ethics. 
    • We also recognize that many projects exist due to systemic social issues and often disproportionately impact marginalized populations. We believe people should be compensated for their time, skill and/or experience. We are happy to engage in conversation around what this might look like based on individual project proposals, while exploring alternative compensatory options (meal vouchers, etc.). 
  • Monetary prizes
  • T-shirts or other apparel
  • Fundraisers or direct donations
  • Plane fares
  • Conference expenses
  • Expenses incurred prior to award date
    • If recipient or team has an itemized receipt for purchases made prior to award date that are directly related to the project, accommodations may be made. 
  • Transportation, food, materials, or any other services or material benefits for UO faculty or staff

Ethics and Conflict of Interest:

We cannot approve any grant that includes a potential violation of the UO Code of Ethics, the UO Procurement and Contracting Code of Ethics, or any university policy. This includes conflict of interest cases. Examples of conflict of interest would include:

  • If a grant recipient or their romantic partner, close friend, or family is employed by or on the board of the partner organization
  • If a person uses grant funds to make purchases from a company that employs or is owned by a romantic partner, close friend, or family member
  • If grant funds are used to directly or indirectly benefit a University of Oregon department, sponsored program, or faculty or staff members

If you would like to apply for a grant for a project but you are concerned there may include a conflict of interest, please reach out to us and we can help suggest alternatives.