Guidelines & Resources
Student organization fundraising at Penn is a partnership between student organizations, University Life, Office of Student Affairs (OSA) and Development and Alumni Relations (DAR). We recognize student groups may seek additional funding to support programs related to the mission of the organization that cannot be covered by existing budgets.
Fundraising includes solicitation of funds, services, and in-kind donations from private donors and/or companies.
Fundraising by student organizations is reviewed and approved by University Life and DAR. Prior to initiating any fundraising activity, organizations must meet the requirements listed below and in the formal policy, and receive approval from both offices. Applications and proposals must be submitted at least three months before the intended start of fundraising.
DAR will provide resources and education to support effective fundraising and donor stewardship. All approved campaigns are required to participate in the stewardship process. Please see below for the requirements your student organization must meet to apply for approval to fundraise, and the timeline and steps of the approval process.
Conditions for Fundraising Approval
To receive approval to fundraise, student organizations must receive approval from DAR and OSA and agree to all DAR and OSA policies regarding fundraising and fund administration. Student organizations must also meet the following conditions*:
- Must be registered in PennClubs by the annual deadline established by OSA.
- Has been in existence for at least five consecutive years.
- Does not have a national affiliation that is a 501(c)(3) organizations.
- Has a center or department affiliation or a primary governing board.
- Has a university budget account.
- OSA has determined that existing resources are not available for the proposal’s purpose.
*Groups that meet some but not all of these conditions may have other ways to raise funds and should seek guidance from OSA.
Funding cannot be used for:
- Support or giving to other nonprofit organizations.
- Supporting other initiatives outside of the Penn community.
Applying for Fundraising Approval
- Review criteria and steps.
- Review student group fundraising policy.
- Submit student organization fundraising request form.
- Members of OSA and/or DAR will reach out with initial questions and review next steps within four weeks of submission.
- Create fundraising proposal presentation.
- Meet with University Life and DAR to discuss proposal.
- Learn about process and follow-up requirements from University Life and DAR.
- Receive approval.
- Sign agreement.
- Meet with DAR to learn fundraising best practices.
- Execute fundraising plan.
- Execute stewardship plan.
- Connect with the student fundraising team once per year to update leadership contacts and discuss any fundraising needs moving forward.
Failure to follow any of the above steps or procedure will result in removal of ability to fundraise for eighteen months. Individual students may receive additional sanctions through non-academic disciplinary system as administered by University Life for violations of the operational rules of an office of the University.