Core Caucus Funding
The GSS guarantees annual Core Funding to active Caucuses for activities of your choice. Core funding is allocated based on total membership fees collected from each department. More information about the formula for calculating core funding can be found in the Caucus Funding Regulation.
The remaining monies can be seen in the Caucus Funding Spreadsheet (updated monthly).
To access Caucus Core Funds, students must submit the online Cheque Requisition Form, and upload the following:
- A copy of the meeting minutes where the spending was approved. (e.g., “John Doe will be reimbursed $20.15 for potato chips.”); and
- A copy/photo of receipts for the expenses
Please allow a minimum of 2 weeks for processing.
Caucus Funding Presentation
Caucus Trust Accounts
A Caucus Trust Account is similar to a bank account that the GSS provides to Caucuses. This service saves Caucuses the hassle and security issues of maintaining an external bank account or keeping cash on hand. You can store funds raised by a Caucus and request them at any time via the regular Cheque Requisition process. Trust Accounts represent cash in the bank, and the money is held for your Caucus until you want to use it.
Cash and cheques to be deposited into a Trust Account should be brought in person to the GSS Office. Cheques should be made payable to “Graduate Student Society at SFU (in trust for XXX Caucus)”. To deposit the money, please fill out the Trust Account Deposit Form.
You must set up an appointment with the Administrator via email to make a deposit, drop-in deposits will not be accepted.
A portion of any unused Core Funds are automatically transferred to each Caucus Trust Account at the end of each fiscal year (August 31). More details about this can be found in the Caucus Trust Accounts Regulations.
Please contact the GSS Director of Finance for the current balance. Other questions regarding your Caucus Trust Account may be directed to the GSS Administrator.
Grants for Caucuses
The GSS provides grants of up to $750 per year to Caucuses to help fund a wide variety of professional development events and projects meant to directly benefit and strengthen your Caucus as a whole. Examples of such events include but are not limited to:
- Conferences
- Departmental colloquia
- Establishing a research journal or publication related to your field
- Career and networking functions
- Orientation for incoming students to your department
Caucus Grant funding applications will not be considered for:
- Charitable donations
- Individual or group research and travel
Note: you must apply BEFORE your event occurs.
The Caucus Grant Application is now an online form!
Here are a few sample Budget Templates to help your Caucus plan your event.
After a grant is approved, the Caucus may access the funds via the same Cheque Requisition process described above.
Upcoming Caucus Grant Deadlines:
October 1, 2024 at 4:00 pm- December 2, 2024 at 4:00 pm
- February 3, 2025 at 4:00 pm
- April 1, 2025 at 4:00 pm
- June 2, 2025 at 4:00 pm
- August 1, 2025 at 4:00 pm
If you miss a posted deadline–never fear!–your grant request may be considered as long as you apply at least 3 weeks in advance of your event. (Note: this policy applies to Caucus Grants only; Professional Development Grants and all other GSS applications have hard deadlines.)
Students may also contact help@sfugradsociety.ca for more information about Caucus Grants. Grant applications are reviewed and approved by the Grants Allocation Committee (GAC).