GSA Sponsorship and Donations

GSA SPONSORSHIP AND DONATIONS POLICY

Purpose: To outline the procedure for approving donation and sponsorship requests for non-recognized GSA Clubs, graduate student groups, individual GSA members and non-GSA groups and individuals from the University’s community.

1. Application Procedure

• For all donation and sponsorship requests, GSA members and/or GSA student groups and non-GSA members must complete a GSA Sponsorship Request Form to be eligible for review;
• All sponsorship and donation requests shall be reviewed by the Clubs Administrator and the VP Internal who will then make recommendations to the GSA staff.

2. Monetary Donations
   

• A financial contribution with no reciprocal benefit shall be considered a donation;
• Donations shall be awarded on the following priority:
  • Individual GSA members shall be eligible to receive up to $250 per fiscal year with a limit of up to $750 for the same organization;
    • These amounts are tied to the annual budgetary decisions of the GSA
  • Non-GSA members from the McMaster community shall be eligible to receive up to $100 per fiscal year with a limit of $300 from the same organization;
    • These amounts are tied to the annual budgetary decisions of the GSA
  • GSA Clubs shall not be eligible for donations but may apply for funding through the Clubs Administrator;
  • All donations must be recommended to, and approved by, the Clubs Administrator and VP Internal.

3. Sponsorships

• Any contribution that pays for or assists with the costs of an event in return for advertising and promotions of the GSA shall be considered a sponsorship;
• All sponsorships must be approved by Club’s Administrator and the VP Internal, and will be recommended to the GSA Staff.

4. Non-Monetary / Other Donations
   

• The donation of GSA full-time employees’ time must be approved by Council;
• The donation of GSA part-time employees’ time must be approved by Council.

5. Adjudication Criteria
   

• A successful application must meet the following criteria:
  • The organization or event must hold relevance to the graduate student community at McMaster University
  • The organization or event cannot place students at risk for mental or physical injury (including contact sports or any high-risk activity).
  • The organization or event cannot use the sponsorship or donation funds for the purposes of buying alcohol;
  • The organization or event cannot be of, or relating to, an issue which could cause physical or emotional distress to any individual or group. This includes, any issue which is deemed contentious or potentially offensive to other individuals or groups.
  • The organization or event cannot use the sponsorship or donation for personal gain.

6. Review Process
   

• The review and administration of sponsorships and donations will be under the VP Internal portfolio, which will include:
  • By June 1^st submit a budget to the GSA about funding available in each semester for the upcoming year;
  • Drafting monthly reports to the Executive Board summarizing sponsorship and donation awards;
  • Submitting sponsorship and donation decisions to the GSA staff for processing.