As part of our commitment to empower students to take ownership of their wellbeing, USC Well-being Collective offers microgrants to Well-being Champions, which are Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) who have officially joined the Collective. Microgrants enable students to support well-being initiatives within their RSO. These grants provide up to $500 per RSO for each academic year. Learn how to become a Well-being Champion here.
How might a microgrant bring your ideas to life?
The USC Student Wellbeing Index Survey revealed that many students are facing challenges related to multiple dimensions of well-being, including equity and inclusion, mental health and thriving, substance use, and sexual assault and harassment. Microgrants will be awarded to RSOs whose efforts span these dimensions.
Grantees must commit to:
- Support the common agenda (strengthen a culture driven by student wellbeing)
- Use microgrant funds to support a well-being initiative within their RSO
- Complete a post-project reflection form by the end of the year in which they receive funding
- If the microgrant is used to fund a singular event, RSO leadership must work with the Community Health Organizers to conduct an evaluation to measure success.
Additional requirements:
- RSO leadership will:
- Collaborate with a Community Health Organizer to evaluate the outcome of the event (e.g., design appropriate survey questions)
- Provide the event proposal, including the main topic(s) and an outline of the content to be covered at least two weeks prior to the event date
- Send a post-event survey to evaluate the impact of the event
- Share the survey results with the USC Well-being Collective within two weeks after the survey is distributed
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to apply for a microgrant?
RSOs who are active Well-being Champions or are undergoing the Well-being Champion process are eligible to apply for a microgrant. Any member of the RSO’s executive board may apply on behalf of the RSO – it does not have to be the RSO President. RSOs should work closely with a Community Health Organizer to submit an application.
How many Microgrants are awarded each year?
There is no set number of microgrants, microgrants will be available on a rolling basis, with set funds allocated for each semester. Once all funding has been awarded, the application will close for the remainder of the semester.
What is the application review process?
Applications will be reviewed by two staff members from the Office for Health Promotion Strategy and two Community Health Organizers. Reviewers will be selected at random. Student reviewers who are current members of the applying RSO will not be selected for review. Microgrant applications will be graded according to the microgrant grading rubric. Applications with a total average score of 14 or above will be approved for funding. If the application is not approved, the applicant(s) will have the option to adjust the application and submit one additional time. Microgrant applications will be reviewed within 2 weeks of the submission date. Applicant(s) will be notified via email.
What does a strong application look like?
RSO leaders should will work closely with Community Health Organizers to determine which of their well-being initiatives might benefit from microgrant funding. Applicants should also carefully review the microgrant grading rubric. Strong microgrant applications will demonstrate alignment with one or more of the USC Well-being Collective’s strategic goals. They will include a justification statement and indicate a commitment to equity and inclusion values. Well-written applications will also detail a plan for evaluating the project and describe how the initiative can be sustained throughout RSO leadership turnover.
Why is evaluation required for an event?
In the scope of well-being initiatives, one-time events are the least likely to create a significant or long-term impact on members’ well-being. If time and resources allow, we recommend focusing efforts on changing a RSO’s policies, practices, or environment. If RSOs choose to pursue a one-time event, evaluation is required because we want RSO leadership to clearly identify event outcomes and design the content accordingly.
What are some examples of an evaluation?
Evaluation surveys will differ depending on the desired outcomes of the event. To provide a few examples, RSO leadership might measure:
- Knowledge of campus wellbeing resources
- Level of confidence in accessing campus wellbeing resources
- Personal or perceived stigma of mental illness or substance use
- Intention to practice stress reduction strategies, i.e. mindful meditation
How is this funding different from USG/GSG funding for RSOs?
Microgrant funding is allocated to improve the well-being of RSOs. This funding should be used to implement a best practice well-being strategy or support a new, innovative project within the RSO. RSOs can request funding from the student government to fund programs, events, research, and professional development opportunities. USG/GSG funding would be the most appropriate funding channel to pursue for a one-time event.