Funding Your Mission: Grants, Fundraising, & Budgeting

Your chapter has big ideas—but how will you pay for them? This one-hour training will give you the tools and confidence to fund your group’s mission through smart budgeting, campus resources, and creative fundraising.

We’ll start with the basics: how to build a realistic budget each semester, covering everything from snacks and flyers to travel, speakers, and service projects. You’ll learn where to find funding on campus—like your student government or academic departments—and how to navigate the deadlines and paperwork that come with it.

We’ll also introduce SSA’s own project grants (up to $500!) and how to apply for them to support your advocacy, service, and education work. Beyond institutional funding, we’ll explore peer-to-peer fundraising, using platforms like GiveLively, and other creative strategies like collecting small membership dues or selling custom merch at your table.

Finally, we’ll cover essential financial practices: tracking expenses, documenting purchases, and submitting reports—so your chapter stays in good standing and ready to grow. Whether you’re planning your first meeting or preparing for a national campaign, this training will help ensure that money isn’t what holds you back.