Student Activities Fund at ACS Spring 2017

Contents SAF Overview Benefits to students Criteria Application process Proposal defense Other

SAF Overview The Student Activities Fund (SAF) is founded by members of the Alumni Fund Advisory Committee (AFAC) and the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) at ACS to support student projects, activities, and events SAF is generously sponsored by FiBank Every year, SAF will set a budget to disburse on competitive basis. The maximum grant per project, activity, or event would be 500 BGN The competition is open to all student clubs, athletic teams, and individual students who seek funding for implementing a service-oriented SIHP proposal Students who want to start a new club or team can also apply for funding The SAF grant cannot be the sole source of funding – students must organize additional fundraising to cover at least a part of the budget Students can additionally request to get an alum or a parent as a mentor to help them alongside the faculty supervisor Projects must be completed and funds redeemed by June 2017 at the latest

Benefits to students Students can have a positive impact on campus life and the community beyond Clubs and teams can scale up their activities Students can practice presentation / pitching / budget management / fundraising skills Students can experience the full cycle that leads from idea and general strategy to winning funding to running a project to reporting results Clubs and teams can forge stronger relationships with alumni and parents and attract wider support for their activities from the ACS community

Criteria – part 1 Winning projects will have as a direct objective one or more of the following: Help students master critical skill / competency that’s not covered in the current academic curriculum Promote student participation and engagement with campus life Improve school spirit Promote public service Promote parent, teacher, alumni, and staff engagement with student events and campus life Help students build their future professional network Have positive impact on a community outside of ACS Improves team-work and promote collaboration among students Gives students opportunities to practice leadership skills Gives students opportunities to engage in community service Promotes ACS and its values to the wider public

Criteria – part 2 In pursuit of these objectives, winning projects will do the following: Advertise information about activity, project, or event on campus (e.g. via daily bulletin, newspaper, and at campus events) and highlight that the project is SAF-funded (mandatory!) Execute in collaboration with other student clubs or teams Execute in sync with other student projects and initiatives to amplify impact Generate publicity for ACS Build on existing campus structures, networks, practices Repeat or expand in the future rather than treat the project as a single occurrence

Criteria – part 3 It is essential that clubs or teams submitting a proposal meet the following administrative requirements: Are in good standing with the Dean’s office (documents, reports, registration of members, etc.) Have an official faculty supervisor Maximum application length – 10 pages

Application process Submit application – Feb 12, 2017 (by midnight) Shortlisted candidates notified by Feb 20, 2017 Shortlisted candidates defend their proposals in front of SAF selection committee – Feb 24, 2017 Please send the completed form, as well as any questions and inquiries, to studentactivitiesfund@acs.bg NB: With your email, please copy your Club or SIHP advisor. Your submission would not be accepted unless your club/SIHP advisor is copied in the email and informed about the application.

Proposal defense If your application is successful, you will be invite to defend your proposal in front of a committee Shortlisted candidates get up to 15 minutes per proposal, including presentation and Q&A. The exact time allotment will be decided in accordance with the number of projects shortlisted Students get to choose the format of their presentation Students will receive feedback on the quality of their application and presentation but this is not one of the criteria for awarding a grant Committee will include representatives of Student Council, Alumni Fund Advisory Committee, Parent Teacher Association, Dean’s Office at ACS, and FiBank

Questions? Please send all questions and inquiries to: studentactivitiesfund@acs.bg and CC your club / SIHP advisor