FIFSW GSA Student Initiative Fund

The FIFSW Graduate Student Association (GSA) receives funding from University of Toronto's Graduate Student Union (UTGSU) each Fall and Winter semester. These funds are used for GSA operations and activities for students such as social events and educational workshops. A portion of UTGSU funding is also reserved for the GSA’s Student Initiative Fund (SIF) which functions to support student-led initiatives at FIFSW. 

For the 2023-24 academic term, the GSA has allocated $4000 for the SIF

Update March 11, 2024: SIF has been extended until Friday, March 22. 

Update February 20, 2024: the SIF has $1364.22 remaining to support student events until April! 

2023/24 Events funded by the SIF:

• Black Social Work Student Association (BSWSA) Meet and Greet

• Muslim Social Work Student Association (MSWSA) Inaugural Lunch

• End of Fall Term Gerontology Celebration

• Social Action Snack & Learn hosted by students in SWK 4306

• Art Space: Watercolour Art x Poetry Event hosted by the FIFSW Art Action

• Tamil Social Work Student Association (TSWSA) Tamil Heritage Month Celebration

• MSW Truth and Reconciliation Student Collective's 2-Day Decolonizing Social Work Workshop

Examples of student-led initiatives that can be included, but are not limited to:

• workshops/trainings 

• skill-building sessions

• organizing a guest lecture seminar

• student socials

• art exhibitions

• talent shows 

• case competitions

Overview of the Student Iniative Fund 

1. Eligibility Criteria

1. The primary applicant must be an MSW student at FIFSW 

2. The requested funding amount is $800 or less 

• Note: If you require more than $800, please connect with us at fsw.gsa@utoronto.ca  so we can schedule a meeting to discuss further. We still encourage you fill out the pre-event form to provide our team when you reach out, so the GSA has enough information to better identify how we can support you (ex: the GSA may offer to become a co-collaborator on your initiative so it falls under the portfolio of GSA activities which we can directly fund, fully or partially)

• Note: You can fund your event using multiple financial resources. If your event costs more than $800, we suggest exploring other funding (like the Alumni Association and Associate Dean’s Office). Please meet with the GSA so we can support you with this 

3. The proposed initiative will foster inclusion at FIFSW by either:

1. Being open to all MSW students

OR

2. If targeted for a specific community of MSW students (ex: equity deserving groups), the applicant will state the community of focus and briefly describe how this targeted focus will promote inclusion and equity at FIFSW

4. The submitted application is for one initiative. If you are seeking funding for multiple initiatives, you must submit separate applications for each initiative

2. Distribution of Funds

Option 1 - Complete A Pre-Event & Post-Event Form 

The GSA SIF offers the opportunity for applicants to receive a portion of funds upfront to cover the costs of your initiative. If a completed pre-event form is approved prior to the start of the proposed initiative, the primary applicant will receive 60% of the approved funds in advance via e-transfer.

The remaining 40% of approved funds will be disbursed as a reimbursement via e-transfer once the post-event form is received. The GSA is committed to providing the applicant the full amount of approved funds (or up to the amount that matches the actual expenses reported in the post-event form if it is less than the applicant’s approved funding amount). Therefore, once a post-event form is provided within the 2 week deadline, if reported expenses are within the budget of approved funds or less, the applicant will automatically receive their reimbursement via e-transfer upon receipt of the pre-event form and all expense receipts. If the reported expenses on the pre-event form exceed the approved funds, the application review committee will then meet to review the post-event form to reassess approved funding for the remaining expenses. 

No reimbursements will be provided for expenses without receipts. Submission of all expense receipts should demonstrate that the total expenses of the initiative matches, or is less than, the applicant’s approved funding amount. 

We require copies of all event expense receipts (including those which were covered by the 60% advance funding you received) as the GSA is required to keep a proof of expenses record when audited by UTGSU.

Note:. If you require more than 60% funding in advance, please note this in your application. The application review committee will then meet with you to discuss alternative arrangements that the GSA may be able to implement to provide you this funding. Please note that as these alternative arrangements cannot be guaranteed, we encourage you submit applications well in advance so our team can follow-up with you ASAP.

Option 2 - Complete a Post-Event Form Only (reimbursement basis only)

Alternatively, if an application is submitted after an initiative is completed, applicants may be considered for a reimbursement of expenses via the SIF. In this event, you will only need to submit a post-event form with associated copies of expense receipts. 

3. Application Deadlines 

The SIF application period for the 2023-24 acameic year closes on March 11, 2024.

4. Application Review Committee

The Application Review Committee comprises the following GSA Executive Council Members

• Both Co-Presidents

• Treasurer 

• 1 Other Executive (rotating position)

5. Important Considerations for Applicants

Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis by the application review committee until the SIF closes as per the deadline, or the allocated funds for the SIF are depleted. 

Please note, it may take the application review committee up to 2 weeks to assess your application and provide a response. The duration of when the approval status of your application is communicated to you, is contingent upon availability of the application review committee to have sufficient time to review applications and deliberate towards a consensus of approval. 

If funds are required before the initiative, it is the responsibility of the applicant to submit the pre-event form well in advance to allow ample time for the application to be reviewed.

You will be notified via email by the GSA treasurer when your application is received and when a funding decision is made. If your application is not approved for funding, the treasurer will provide you the review committee's suggestions for revision, so you may resubmit your application with the feedback incorporated.

6. Submission

Completed pre-event and post-event forms should be submitted to fsw.gsa@utoronto.ca as a PDF or Word document. 

Once received, the treasurer will respond to your email confirming receipt, and then follow-up within 2 weeks with the results of your application.

Links to Application Forms:

• Pre-Event Form

• Post-Event Form

Other Relevant Documents: 

• SIF Polices & Procedures

• Review Committee's Pre-Event Evaluation Checklist

• Review Committee's Post-Event Evaluation Checklist

• Complete Guide to the FIFSW GSA's Student Initiative Fund