Funding
Your society is going to need some money to get if off the ground. We recommend you charge people a small membership fee when they join up and maybe a little more if your group is being taught by a professional or requires lots of equipment. We would recommend something like £3 a semester but please note it's not mandatory to charge a fee.
This membership fee will provide you with the necessary funds to cover most day to day costs. For larger projects, you will need to do additional fundraising. This is why you see so many bake sales on The Bridge Link in the University!
Here are some ways that the Union can help you raise some money for your society:
Societies Development Fund
All affiliated societies are welcome to apply for funding from our ‘Societies Development Fund’. We try to distribute this money as fairly as possible between societies and any bid received is looked at.
However, there's certain things you can and cannot spend our funds on and a certain criteria that must be met.
Money can be spent on: ✅
- Equipment - e.g. chess boards, a projector screen, cups and plates
- Speakers/Guests - paying for someone to speak or perform at an event
- Accommodation - helping you or guests stay overnight at an event
- Transport - getting you or guests to/from an event
- Marketing - e.g. printing, banners, website domains
- Insurance - making sure you're safe can be expensive
Money cannot be spent on: ❌
- Alcohol^
- Personal Clothing
- Socials
- Food and Drink^
- Anything else deemed inappropriate by the Union*
^Unless it is an absolute necessity for the aims of your society e.g Brewing Society
*We reserve the right to withhold funding for activities not in keeping with the aims and values of the Union.
To apply for the fund, download the form here and return to the Activities coordinator, Polly Glynn in the Union. If you have any questions, please email Polly at p.glynn@hw.ac.uk
(Please note, direct allocations from your funding to charity are not allowed. However, you can make donations to charity as long as you clearly indicate the charity you are fundraising for at the time of collecting and banking the money. The amount donated must be the exact amount collected. )
Claiming from the Alumni
Support for Union activities may be available from the Watt Club Alumni Fund.
This funding is best for big projects you're thinking about doing e.g. a conference for students across Scotland or a costly piece of equipment that will help your society reach a wider membership.
Before you go ahead with the Alumni Fund application, you must ensure you get the Union's approval for the project you're trying to get money for.
The Union will also need to write a letter of approval for your submission. E-mail p.glynn@hw.ac.uk if you are planning on applying and we can help you with this.
For more info about the Watt Club Alumni Fund, check out their website (www.alumni.hw.ac.uk).
Fundraising
Fundraising is a great thing to do as a society - whether it be to cover the costs of your own society, arrange a tour or to donate to charity.
A lot of of societies do bake sales but there's loads of possibilities! Use your imagination!
Here are some tips:
Top 10 tips for first time raisers: http://www.raisingfunding.co.uk/Ten-tips-for-first-time-fundraisers.html
Wild and Wacky Fundraising Ideas: http://www.raisingfunding.co.uk/wild-and-wacky-fundraising-ideas.html
