Donation Request Guidelines

MSU Club of West Michigan

The MSU Club of West Michigan (“Club”), through its Board of Directors, has a limited amount of funds available to support various programs and events throughout the year which further its mission “to promote and support Michigan State University in West Michigan through events and activities that drive fund and friend raising.” In order to handle the numerous donation requests the Club receives and ensure that its limited resources are prudently spent, the Board of Directors has established a Funding Committee which shall consist of at least five (5) Board Members of the Club.
Every August, the Board of Directors shall decide how much money it will allocate towards its donation budget for the upcoming year (September through August). The Funding Committee will carry out the responsibility of processing all donation requests throughout the designated year and allocating funds to those requesting donations in accordance with the application process described below.
Application Process:
1. All individuals and organizations requesting a donation (regardless of the amount) must complete an application form and return it to the Funding Committee. A copy of the application form is available on the Club’s website www.westmichspartans.org. Applications must be submitted by the first of the month in order to be considered at the Board of Directors meeting scheduled for later that month. (For example, an application must be filed by March 1 to be considered at the March Board Meeting. If it is not timely submitted, it will not be considered until the next Board Meeting in April). No donation requests will be considered without a written application. Incomplete applications will also not be considered.
2. Donations will only be given to those requests that further the Club’s mission. Therefore, it is suggested that before you submit a request for funding, that you please look at the Club Mission Statement. An application must demonstrate how receiving the requested donation for a particular event or cause will further the Club’s mission in order for the donation request to be approved. It is also helpful for an application to provide as much information as possible regarding the event or cause so that you have the best chance of having your application approved.
3. Upon receiving an application, the Funding Committee will meet to determine whether to approve or deny the donation request. The Funding Committee meeting will take place between the time the application is received and the upcoming Board meeting where the request will be voted upon (provided the application is submitted by the first of the month deadline as required). A majority vote of the Funding Committee decides whether a donation request is approved. In the event of a tie vote, the donation request will not be approved. Once a decision is reached, the Funding Committee will submit its recommendation on whether to approve or deny the donation request to the Board of Directors for a final vote at the upcoming Board meeting.
Please be aware that due to the number of donation requests annually received and limited amount of funds allocated for donations, the Club’s ability to have funds for requested donations is not guaranteed from year to year. Thus, a group or individual who previously received a donation is not guaranteed to receive further donations in the future. Groups or individuals interested in a donation whether or not a donation has been given in the past, must still submit an application each time they seek a new donation.
Thank you for your interest in the MSU Club of West Michigan. If you have any questions about the application process please contact Board Member Kurt Graham. 

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD DONATION REQUEST FORM