University-Wide Programs Fund

Under the direction of the Division for Student Affairs, the University-Wide Programs Fund (UWPF) provides financial support to registered student organizations, faculty, and staff for designated cultural and religious celebrations and campus traditions. Funded by the University as a match to the SGA fee, the UWPF provides annual funding to foster belonging, visibility, and shared community engagement across George Washington University.

To assist in the distribution of funds, DSA works through its internal departments—including the Center for Spiritual and Interfaith Life (CISL), Student Involvement, and the University Student Center (USC)—alongside campus partners like the Multicultural Student Services Center (MSSC), student organizations, and committees to coordinate funding for individual events.

Funding Scope and Eligible Categories

To ensure sustainability and clarity, the UWPF focuses on three core categories of university-wide programming, events, and services*: 

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Heritage and Affinity Celebrations

Signature programs centered on education, visibility, and board community engagement around GW and nationally recognized heritage and affinity celebrations. 

Eligible celebrations

• Latin Heritage Celebration
• Native American Heritage Celebration
• Black Heritage Celebration
• Women’s History Month
• South Asian Heritage Celebration
• API Heritage Celebration
• LGBTQIA+ celebrations (e.g., Pride, Coming Out Day)

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Religious, Spiritual, and Cultural Observances

Observances, celebrations, and services connected to religious, spiritual, and cultural traditions, including traditions in which these dimensions overlap. Programs should be open to the broader campus community and emphasize inclusivity, hospitality, and educational context. 

Eligible observances

• Jewish High Holy Days
• Diwali
• Holi
• The Season of Lent and Easter
• Ramadan
• Eid al-Fitr
• Passover
• Lunar New Year
• Winter holiday campus observances (Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa)

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GW Traditions

Large-scale events designed to build school spirit, foster campus identity, and engage the broader student body as part of designated university traditions. 

Eligible traditions

• Weeks of Welcome / First Night
• Alumni and Families Weekend
• Midnight Breakfast
• Buff and Bloom Week

UWPF Allocations

Each category addresses different programming, services, and audiences, and therefore, has a unique allocation process. Requests will be reviewed on a rolling basis. See below for more information on each focus area.

All requests should be submitted at least five weeks prior to the event date. Contact orghelpgwu [dot] edu (orghelp[at]gwu[dot]edu) with questions.

Heritage and Affinity Celebrations

Requests for events affiliated with designated heritage and affinity celebrations will be reviewed by committee (student org requests) or DSA staff (faculty/staff/department requests).

• Student organizations: Submit a UWPF Budget Request through RevConnect 
  (Select UWPF budget link from the top of your org's Accounting Book; then click "Create Budget Request")
• Faculty, staff, or department-sponsored programs: Submit UWPF Funding Request Form - link coming soon!

Additional Information

Student organization funding requests must be submitted through the UWPF Budget Request (via RevConnect) and meet the following to be considered:

• Must be submitted by a registered student organization in good standing
• Must fall into a currently recognized Heritage and Affinity Celebration (noted above)
• Must be open and free to all GW Students

Tier	Event Example	Amount	Typical Uses
Tier 1	Workshops, small mixers, casual discussion or social gatherings	< $300	Snacks, drinks, basic supplies, printing
Tier 2	Discussion panels, film screenings, cultural programming	$300-$750	Light catering, event decorations, panel materials
Tier 3	Cultural nights, dances or parties, multi-org showcases	$750-$1,500	Venue rental, fuller catering, DJ or performer stipend, AV and sound
Tier 4	Outside speakers, kickoffs or finales, flagship events	$1,500-$4,000	Speaker honoraria, venue rental, full event production, heavy catering
Special Consideration	Keynote speaker honorarium, large venue rentals	> $4,000	Speaker honoraria, venue rental, full event production, heavy catering

Religious, Spiritual, and Cultural Observances

The Center for Interfaith and Spiritual Life will coordinate directly with student organizations and campus partners on campus-wide events and services.

GW Traditions

The Division for Student Affairs Student Involvement team will coordinate directly with student organizations and campus partners on campus-wide events and student activities.

Expense & Budgeting Guidelines

UWPF funding is prioritized for essential operation costs necessary to carry out core program objectives. Events do not necessarily require high attendance, but they must be broad in audience, scope, and intent. UWPF prioritizes impact, accessibility, education, and shared community building over pure attendance size.

Note: The celebrations and traditions identified above reflect the current scope and priorities of the UWPF and are not intended to represent an exhaustive list of the religious, cultural, heritage, affinity, or community observances recognized or celebrated across GW. Designation for UWPF support is based on the fund’s purpose, available resources, historical programming, and opportunities for broad university-wide engagement. Please reach out to orghelpgwu [dot] edu (orghelp[at]gwu[dot]edu) if you'd like to discuss additional observances or events for the future.