Student Organization Funding

On This Page:

• Overview
• SOBC Process Details
• Submission Details
• Key Dates & Training
• Funding Grid
• Expenditure Guidelines
• Audit Procedures

 

Overview

The Student Organization Budget Committee (SOBC) is a student-led university committee, advised by staff from the Student Involvement and Leadership Center, that allocates university funds to eligible registered student organizations (RSOs) at Wright State University. These funds are intended to support programs, events, and initiatives that benefit the broader student body and reflect Wright State’s mission, vision, and values. The SOBC operates through a viewpoint-neutral, policy-driven process and ensures that all funding decisions align with the university's strategic priorities.

The committee prioritizes funding for programmatic activities that:

• Are open and promoted to all Wright State students
• Encourage student engagement and active participation in campus life
• Promote leadership development, critical thinking, and civil discourse
• Foster community-building and shared campus experiences
• Support the mission and goals of the student organization
• Align with Wright State University’s strategic goals, particularly those that enhance the student experience

 

Funding Process

The SOBC funding process is designed to be more than just submitting a budget. SOBC organizations are expected to plan high-performing, thoughtful activities, understand university policies, and manage money responsibly. The goal is so that your organization is fully prepared to plan and effectively utilize funding for the 2025–2026 academic year that promote your organization's mission.

SOBC 2025–2026 Submission Details

The SOBC submission process for the 2025–2026 academic year is designed to allocate university funds to eligible student organizations for programs and events that directly benefit the entire Wright State student body. This funding cycle will operate on an annual basis, meaning organizations must submit a single budget request covering their programming plans from August 1, 2025, to April 24, 2026.

Who Can Submit a Budget Request?

Only student organizations that meet all of the following criteria may submit a funding request:

• Classified as a Tier II: RSO or Tier III Organization
• In good standing with the Student Involvement and Leadership Center
• Have completed annual registration requirements on Engage
• Have sent a representative to a required SOBC training session prior to the deadline

Tier I RSOs, Club Sports, Boonshoft School of Medicine (BSOM) organizations, and Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) groups are not eligible through this process.

 

What Can Be Requested?

Funding must be tied to programmatic activities only, not general operations. Requests must align with the Student Organization Funding Policy and reflect:

• Open and inclusive programming that benefits the entire Wright State community
• Events scheduled between August 1, 2025, and April 24, 2026
• Reasonable and well-documented projections of expenses and revenues

Each budget request must include:

• A detailed line-item budget with all anticipated expenses categorized by budget pool
• A clear narrative explanation for each program or event, including purpose, target audience, and intended outcomes
• Supporting documentation for past expenditures and all expected revenue sources (if applicable)

 

Evaluation Criteria

SOBC uses a viewpoint-neutral, standardized process to evaluate submissions. Key considerations include:

• Clarity and completeness of the request
• Justification for each expense category
• Connection between event purpose and student benefit
• Alignment with university mission, community values, and funding priorities
• Use of prior SOBC funding (if applicable)

 

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting a request without attending training
• Requesting funds for ineligible expenses (e.g., gifts, private meals, member-only events)
• Failing to provide documentation or cost estimates
• Using vague or generic program descriptions
• Including operational costs not directly tied to a specific program

 

After Submitting

You will receive a confirmation of submission via Engage. After committee review and (if applicable) your budget hearing:

• Award decisions will be communicated by email
• Allocated funds will be available starting August 1, 2025
• All programs and expenditures must be completed and documented by April 17, 2026

Award letters will include your approved budget categories, award amounts, and instructions for accessing and using funds. All spending must adhere to all student organization fiscal policies.

 

Key Dates & Training

Due to space limitations, each session is capped at 16 participants. Please RSVP on Engage as soon as possible to secure your spot. All training sessions will be held at the Student Involvement and Leadership Center Presentation Space, 190 Student Union or online. One person can only represent one organization. Please plan accordingly. The available dates and times are listed below:

Budget hearings will be held May 5–9, 2025.

 

Funding Grid

These funds are intended to support the execution of campus programs and events, whether on or off campus, that are open to and benefit the broader Wright State student body. All funded activities must align with the educational mission of the university and comply with SOBC and university fiscal policies.

triangle-exclamation Note: All expenses must be tied directly to a specific, open-to-campus event or program.

 

Expenditure Guidelines

SOBC funds may not be allocated or expended for any purpose contrary to the mission of Wright State University. Specifically, funds may not be used to:

1. Expenditures intended for private gain, profit generation, or that do not directly further the RSO’s approved educational mission.
2. Support or sponsor ballot initiatives or partisan political campaigns.
3. Support or sponsor political lobbying activities, including those related to Student Government elections.
4. Support religious rites, services, or attempts to convert individuals to a specific religious faith. Mission‑related religious activities (e.g., worship services, educational religious events) are permitted only if they comply with the “All Comers” requirement.
5. Purchase alcohol or any product that violates university policy.
6. Establish petty cash funds.
7. Pay individual or organizational membership dues.
8. Purchase personal clothing items intended exclusively for individual use, rather than for organizational identification or public promotion. (Exceptions may be granted only with written pre-approval from the designated funding committee, upon a demonstrable benefit to a broad segment of the student body.)
9. Pay tuition, general fees, fines, or parking passes.
10. Reimburse state sales tax.
11. Allocate funds for contributions to charitable organizations or causes, or for the campaign or election of candidates for Wright State University Student Government.
12. Purchase or distribute personal gifts, gift cards, or tokens of appreciation that lack a documented business or promotional purpose benefiting a broad segment of the student body.
13. Buy flowers, greeting cards, or similar items for personal occasions (e.g., birthdays, births, deaths, hospital stays), as these expenditures are considered personal.
14. Purchase refreshments, meals, or catering, used solely for private consumption rather than RSO.
15. Pay for philanthropic banquets, charitable events, or other philanthropic initiatives by donating or transferring SOBC‑allocated funds directly to an external charity or nonprofit. Direct institutional contributions to charitable or nonprofit organizations are not permitted. While SOBC/SFC funds may be used for legitimate event‑related costs (e.g., venue rental, marketing) that advance an RSO’s mission, any charitable donation must come from participant fundraising or external sponsors, not from allocated SOBC/SFC funds.

Travel

Funding for travel is very limited and rare. If funding is granted, funds for travel will be approved only when members of the organization will:

• represent the university and thereby enhance the prestige of the university and the organization
• gain knowledge and experience in accordance with the goals and the purpose of the organization
• fulfill responsibilities in accordance with the goals and purposes of the organization

Any requests for funds for travel to conferences or workshops must be accompanied by printed materials (most current) to explain the program. These materials must be printed by the sponsoring local or national organization and not self-generated by the student group. It is assumed such travel will be funded only for underclassmen. Money will only be granted for food if the meal costs are incorporated into a conference registration fee or as part of a university-wide event. SOBC will only fund travel if a commercial carrier or university vehicle is used. All travel must comply with university travel pre-approval requirements.

 

Audit Procedures

After funding is awarded, all organizations must participate in an audit at the end of the academic year. This ensures compliance with policies, confirms fund use, and gathers insight for future budgeting cycles. End-of-Semester Audits for Spring 2025 are due April 25, 2025.

triangle-exclamation Organizations that fail to participate or submit documentation risk losing eligibility in future funding cycles. For guidance, contact the Student Involvement and Leadership Center.