Fundraising
Student organizations may raise funds for their group’s University club account by following the guidelines indicated on the Fundraiser Permit.
Since it is the responsibility of the Division of Advancement to work with area businesses and individuals to secure donations, sponsorships, products, and gifts-in-kind for the University, student organizations may not approach any business or individual with a request for donations, sponsorships, services, products, or gifts-in-kind until a completed Fundraiser Permit Form is submitted to the Office of Student Activities, Commuter Services, and Leadership Development for review, and official approval is granted.
Only two fundraising events may run concurrently each day. The maximum time any one fundraising event can run is five consecutive days. Fundraiser Permit forms may only be submitted when fall and spring semester classes are in session. Permit requests submitted prior to the start of a semester cannot be approved until classes begin.
Student groups failing to adhere to established fundraising guidelines stated herein will have the following sanctions imposed:
- First violation – All donations must be returned to the donors and the student group will be placed on warning status.
- Second violation – All donations must be returned to the donors and the student group will move to probation status.
- Third violation – All donations must be returned to the donors and the student group’s University Charter will be revoked for one year.
- Fourth violation – All donations must be returned to the donors and the student group’s University Charter will be permanently revoked.
Please note: If monetary donations cannot be returned to individual donors, the funds will be deposited to the Campus Programming Board account to be used in support of campus programming.
- Definition: A fundraising activity is an attempt by the members of a student organization to raise money for its own purpose.
- Appropriate fundraisers are programs or sales in which a service, product or form of entertainment is provided by the members of the organization (e.g., car wash, t-shirt sale, Valentine’s Day message sale, flower sale, bake sale, etc.).
- Raffles may not be held by student organizations because state law requires that any organization or club holding a raffle must have 501(C) (3) tax exempt status. No organizations or clubs are permitted to utilize the University’s 501 (C) (3) status.
- Student organizations wishing to solicit off-campus businesses or organizations must submit a detailed proposal that includes the names of the businesses or organizations to be solicited. This should be attached to the Fundraiser Permit Form when submitted. This will then be reviewed by Student Activities and Advancement to determine if approval is appropriate.
- Procedures: The following action steps should be completed at least two weeks prior to the event.
- A Fundraiser Permit Form must be completed and submitted to the Director of Student Activities, and the fundraising activity may not begin until the Director of Student Activities gives official approval. The Fundraiser Permit Form is available in the Office of Student Activities, the Student Government Office, and online. If the online form is used, please print it on goldenrod colored paper prior to submitting it.
- A Permit for Use of Facilities Form must be submitted after approval of the Fundraiser Permit Form.
- If food or any food service materials are required for an on-campus fundraiser, arrangements must be made with Sodexo at 419-434-4542.
- Approval: Fundraisers will only be approved when all University policies and procedures are properly followed.
- The Director of Student Activities reserves the right to deny a fundraising request or cancel a planned fundraiser if a student organization fails to adhere to all University policies and procedures.
- Once a decision is rendered regarding a fundraising request, a copy of the form with the decision noted will be sent to the student organization mailbox.