The Green Initiative Fund

The Green Initiative Fund, or TGIF for short, is an initiative to give students the opportunity to make an impact on UCSD's campus sustainability while also having the chance to create and implement a project from start to finish

 

The Winter 2024 TGIF application is now OPEN. Use this link to Apply! 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SCV3HLpQhPT0KQp4RGRLrGWMUwQBAaXqBUCwvsGJox4/edit?usp=sharing

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What is the history of TGIF?

The Sustainability Referendum, passed in the Winter of 2009, allows for the use of undergraduate fees to be put into TGIF in order to enable and empower students to take an active role in making the UCSD community a leader in sustainable solutions.

Past recipients of TGIF have included students involved with campus gardens such as Ellie's Garden and the Solar Chill Project with Engineers for a Sustainable World (ESW).

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What kinds of projects can I do?

The projects funded by TGIF are diverse in terms of scale, goals, and social justice issue, but they all have the same theme of sustainability. Some past projects have included expanding Ellie's Garden, the Solar Chill project, and renovations to the Outback Adventure shop on Library Walk.

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Fast Track Funding

The Fast Track Funding TGIF application was created by the TGIF committee in order to fund projects that require less than $500. This funding option is ideally for projects that require less funding but also can be used for project maintenance throughout the year.

For Fast Track Applications:

• Recipients are not required to present at the TGIF Symposium and Banquet at the end of the year, although they are encouraged to do so.

• Applicants do not have to fill out the Education, Publicity, and Outreach portion of the application.

• The rest of the criteria expressed in the Fall and Winter Funding Cycles are still upheld. Fast Track Applications are decided upon on a rolling basis.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is TGIF?

A: TGIF stands for The Green Initiative Fund and was created after a student referendum raised student fees roughly $1.60

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Q: What can/cannot fund?

A: TGIF cannot fund, labor, travel, or events. Only materials for self-sustaining projects. Projects are intended to make UCSD more sustainable, whether environmentally, or socially.

 

Q: Who can apply?

A: Because these funds are allocated from undergraduate students fees, all projects must be rooted in undergraduate student involvement.

 

Q: When can I apply?

A: There are two funding cycles, one during Fall Quarter and one during Winter Quarter. Projects under $500 dollars are accepted on a rolling basis as part of our fast-track program. Refer to the Fast Track tab for the application.

 

Q: How can I access my funds if given a grant?

A: All funding is coordinated with the Student Life Business Office.

 

Q: How much funding is available?

A: The program is currently allocated $70,000 each year to be split between recipients.

 

Q: How much time to I have to complete my project?

A: Funds are available until the end of the school year. The last day funds can be accessed for the 2019-2020 school year will be determined at a later date. Ideally, projects should be completed in this year time frame.

 

Q: Who can I contact if I have further questions?

A: The TGIF director at tgifucsd@gmail.com