Groups of alumni, campus partners or departments, and/or Alumni Networks.

No, we do not guarantee that all applications will receive grant funding. We have limited resources that we need to allocate equitably across all constituents.

No, our expectation is that you provide the best estimate on your project timeline.

The budget outline should be a best estimate of projected expenses. When making budget projections consider that the amount awarded will be the maximum amount in which we are able to reimburse. 

Reimbursing for expenses allows for the budget outline to be an estimate of projected expenses rather than exact costs. We anticipate in the planning process there may be some minor adjustments or changes.

GVSU’s expense policy requires proof of expense payment and an itemization of who the expenses were for before reimbursement can be made.

The grant does not cover the full cost of events. Additional funding avenues should be used to offset remaining program expenses (i.e. departmental funding, sponsorships, and/or ticket price). 

Recent awards have been in the range of $10-15 per alumni in attendance or 50% of the total budget for non-event projects. 

We recommend charging a registration fee to offset remaining costs and encourage higher attendance rates.

At events with a regularly engaged audience, we see an average attendance of 9%. We find first-time events are on the lower end of this range (2%) and those with very established audiences on the higher end (40%). 

Program time, date, location, and price impact attendance. When planning a program/event it is important to give consideration to what would best suit your audience.

Your project should clearly convey how it supports the stated mission of your Alumni Network (if applicable) and/or Alumni Relations' mission of connecting, informing, engaging, and supporting alumni throughout every stage of their life and career. View rubric

Yes, view previous grant recipients.

Yes, use our Event & Program Guide to help you get started.

Yes, please reach out to Ashlyn Leavitt to arrange a call or meeting. 

• 10 Years of Black Excellence
  • A Homecoming weekend celebration for Black Alumni who graduated in 2013. Events included a tailgate, meet-up at Post Family Farms, celebration at the Alumni House, and brunch.
  • Awarded $680
  • 16 alumni participated

• Laker Marching Band Homecoming
  • Alumni of the Laker Marching Band (LMB) were invited to participate at the Homecoming football game during pregame and halftime performances. Alumni arrived for check in prior to morning rehearsal, participated in morning rehearsal with the LMB, and then the alumni had a luncheon prior to call time. At call time, the alumni formed a parade block in front of the LMB and marched to Lubbers Stadium. In addition to the pregame and halftime performances, we joined the LMB in the stands during the game.
  • Awarded $750
  • 94 alumni participated