Not every registered student organization seeks funding from the Associated Students of Madison. If I were to list every group that did not receive funding from ASM the list would be incredibly long because it would include all the groups who did not apply for any of the Operations, Event or Travel grants that Finance Committee allocates as well as those denied funding, which is miniscule compared to the amount not requesting. There are over 800 RSOs on campus and many seek funding in other ways. As to why we are running out of Event Grant funds for the academic/fiscal year, it’s because we have nearly allocated all of it. We have had an exceptionally large number of grants this year because of certain changes outside our control. The MultiCultural Council changed its funding stream to limit how much it can grant to organizations. ASM Finance Committee changed its policies to help more groups access funding this past year and will continue to do it at the end of this academic year. Also, due to the construction of the new Union Theater, many groups who use this venue events had to contract with other, more expensive venues, including the Overture Center, which has refused to offer cheaper rates.
Finance Committee has done its best to allocate the funds we have in a fiscally responsible manner, taking into consideration the need of each RSO to successfully put on the event while also understanding some of the requests were excessive and needed to be properly amended to reflect the actual funds required. Some groups have also not needed their entire allocation—there is no way we can get those monies back once they are allocated. ASM Event Grants have not gone to waste this year, though many groups were able to take advantage of the funding process. But, because we have a limited amount of funds each year, some groups are naturally unable to receive funding.
We had about $7,500 left to allocate in event grant funds and our final meeting regarding this was last night. I will also hold an Outreach session in the coming weeks to get feedback from RSOs in the allocation process, application, and policies and procedures we use to evaluate each grant.
I understand the frustration groups have in the funding process through ASM, and we are working to make it more efficient and accessible in the future for more RSOs. Yet it should be equally understood that ASM funds are never a guarantee and it falls on the burden of each group to prove the need for funds to successfully put on their events.
ASM Finance Committee is committed to a just and efficient use of student segregated fees and will continue to act in a way that supports this vision.
If any RSO or individual wishes to contact me regarding the funding process or other ASM grant related questions, they may reach me by email at asmfinancechair@gmail.com.
