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Funding

Congratulations on being selected Club Treasurer! In your role, you are committed to fulfilling multiple fiduciary responsibilities for your student group, including completing purchase orders, keeping track of the budget, and going through the annual budget process. On this page, you will find information regarding the options of available funding for student groups - Club Funding, Organization Funding, Hall Funding.

Undergraduate student groups can reach out to Heather Legault, the Student Union Bookkeeper with any funding questions they may have. Graduate student groups can reach out to Graduate Student Life, the Law School, or the Mendoza College of Business to talk to the corresponding representatives regarding student group funds. 

Funding


The funding allocated to undergraduate student groups comes from three main sources: Student Union Endowment, The Shirt Proceeds, and Student Activity Fees.

  • Student Union Endowment
    The Student Union Endowment was created on April 2, 2007. Its purpose is to supplement the Student Union Budget, which is divided up annually across all undergraduate student clubs and organizations. The endowment is funded by the Carryforward Account, The Shirt Project, and the former The Shirt Royalty Fund, totaling approximately $650,000.00 at the time of its creation. The total annual interest from the endowment is allocated to undergraduate student clubs and organizations as part of the Spring Allocation Process.
     
  • The Shirt Proceeds
    Each year, $125,000.00 of the income generated by The Shirt Project is allocated to the Spring Allocation process. $150,000.00 of The Shirt proceeds are allocated to the Student Experience Fund, created to provide a way for all students to enjoy the Notre Dame student experience during their time at the University. All remaining proceeds from The Shirt sales are divided among The Shirt Charity Fund, Student Union Endowment, and the Office of Student Enrichment Endowment.
     
  • Student Activity Fees
    • Each undergraduate student enrolled at the University of Notre dame pays $95.00 per year in Student Activity Fees. This money is allocated to student groups during the Spring Allocation process. 
    • Other university fees for technology, health center access, and graduate programs are allocated annually; details can be found here: https://studentaccounts.nd.edu/rates/fee-descriptions/

Each academic year, recognized active student groups are eligible to receive allocated funding from their corresponding student government body. The Student Activities Office (SAO) itself does not provide financial allocations for student groups.

  • The Undergraduate Student Union is composed of eleven (11) student organizations, often referred to as “branches of Student Government”:
    • Senate
    • Executive Cabinet
    • Student Union Board
    • Hall Presidents Council
    • Club Coordination Council
    • Class Councils - First-Year, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior
    • Financial Management Board
    • Judicial Council
  • Graduate Groups have similar governing structures within their respective colleges: 
    • MBA Association and the Specialized Master’s Council
    • Law School Student Bar Association
    • Graduate Student Government

      Each governing body has their own process. If you are planning on making a request, make sure you are aware of their requirements and deadlines. 

Club Funding


For all undergraduate student clubs, the Club Coordination Council (CCC) is responsible for funding allocations. Each year, the CCC allocates over $350,000.00 in funding to undergraduate clubs through the Budget Request Process. Undergraduate clubs have the opportunity to request funding from the CCC through the following ways during the academic year:

  • Spring Allocation
  • Winter Allocation
  • Appeals (Contingency, Collaboration, and Student Government co-sponsorship) 
  • Loans (upon special request)

Additional Funding


If your club’s allocation isn’t enough to carry your student group through the year, here are some options to consider:

  • ND Day - All student groups have individual funding pages to receive donations at this annual event. Keep an eye out for information about this from the Department of Development in early Spring.
  • Co-sponsorships with other clubs/organizations/departments - contact your Activities Liaison for ideas on co-sponsorships. Some possibilities for collaboration include: 
    • Visit club/hall council meetings and ask about collaboration opportunities and ideas.
    • Divide the cost of the event planning and production with other student groups. 
    • Assign members from different student groups to volunteer as ushers/stagehands/guest hosts.
    • Offer discounts to large organizations, classes and/or residence facilities. 
  • The Student Activities Office (SAO) has additional funding opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate student groups, as well as opportunities to collaborate. Email sao@nd.edu for more information. 

Undergraduate Student Union Fiscal Policies


Student Union Fiscal Policies govern the way that all allocated funds to clubs and organizations are spent. The policies below are those that most frequently affect the undergraduate clubs, and are accurate as of November 16, 2022. You can find the most updated and complete policies in the Student Body Constitution.

Article XVI, Section 2. General Guidelines

(a) Mandatory student activity fees, as fixed by the University and the Student Senate, shall be collected by the Notre Dame Accounting department and held in a University account.

(b) The student activity fee shall be a separately itemized fee on each student’s bill for both the fall and spring semesters.

(c) The Student Union fiscal year shall coincide with the University’s fiscal year and extend from July 1st to June 30th.

(d) Student activity fee revenue may be used for, but shall not be limited to, the following purposes:

(1) Social events, seminars, workshops, retreats, and conferences.
(2) Equipment, supplies, and materials required for the operation of student programs and activities.
(3) Travel and per diem for students and professional staff members participating in student programs and activities.
(4) Premiums for liability and casualty insurance coverage for students serving in official capacities or participating in such programs and activities.
(5) Dues for institutional national charter memberships in recognized student organizations.
(6) Salaries and compensation to students serving in official capacities, or to any other full or part-time employees of the Student Union.

Additional CCC Guidelines

Each Division has similar, but different guidelines that inform how clubs in their division spend money. Go to the CCC website for a copy of your Division's Guidelines, and contact the CCC if you have any questions. 

Organization Funding

Each year, the Financial Management Board (FMB) allocates money to the Undergraduate Student Union Organizations, as well as to the Club Coordination Council (CCC). This happens during:

  • Spring Allocation
  • Winter Reallocation

For more information on how money is allocated and what forms you might need, visit FMB's website.

Spring Allocation

During this allocation period, FMB asks undergraduate student organizations to complete and present a budget to the outgoing board in March/April to request funding for the following academic year. FMB reviews the proposed budgets and recommends a lump sum allocation for each student organization for senate approval. More information can be found on the FMB website.

Hall Funding


Residence Hall finances are primarily managed by the Rectors. If you have any financial questions from your residence hall, please contact your Rector.