UM Grow Your Community Fund
The UM “Grow Your Community” fund was established to provide one-time seed funding to support UM students and grassroots UM student organizations who identify as minoritized, marginalized or as members of under-represented groups in building community on campus.
Thanks to the UM Strategic Initiatives Support Fund, $25,000 is available in allocations of $500 to $1500 to help organizers host small-scale events and activities in either the Fall Term 2024 or the Winter Term 2025. Successful applicants will demonstrate how their planned activities will advance UM’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion by providing opportunities for UM students who self-identify as minoritized, marginalized or as members of under-represented groups to connect, experience, and enhance a sense of community at the University of Manitoba.
On this page
Eligible projects
Who can apply?
Registered UM undergraduate and graduate students who self-identify as members of minoritized, marginalized or other under-represented groups (as defined below by the Anti-Racism Task Force).
Definitions:
Minoritized people
To make a person or specific group of people subordinated to a dominant group that claims themselves to the majority. It recognizes that groups of people can be minoritized regardless of demographic distribution, and that the process of claiming majority status and relegating others to minority status is embedded in the operation of power differentials in society
Marginalized people
Marginalized people refers to groups and communities that experience discrimination and exclusion (including social, political, economic exclusion) as a result of power relationships and hierarchies, and systemic inequities.
Under-representation
Under-representation refers to the insufficient or disproportionate representation of specific groups of people, in relation to demographic make up. Under-representation often includes people with visible and non-visible, physical or cognitive disabilities, age, gender identity and expression, sexual identity, income level, race, ethnicity, and marginalized religious groups.
Eligibility criteria
Projects may include (but are not limited to):
- Applicants are currently registered as undergraduate or graduate students at the University of Manitoba who identify as members of minoritized, marginalized or other under-represented groups
- Organizers must have completed the Sexual Violence Resource Centre module and commit to working in ways informed by anti-oppression, diversity and inclusion
- Events or activities are intended to support community-building amongst members of minoritized, marginalized or other under-represented groups
- At least one applicant must be intending to register for the term in which the event or activity will be implemented
- The initiative is typically small in scale (<100 people) and will take place on a UM campus
How to apply
Application details
Applications are welcome from registered UM undergraduate and graduate students who identify as members of minoritized, marginalized or other under-represented groups.
Application requirements
Completion of the application web-form, including the following:
- Proposal title
- Lead individual: Name, Student number, UM email address
- Organization name (if applicable)
- Description of your commitment to work in ways informed by anti-oppression, diversity, and inclusion (300-word limit)
- Project description (300-word limit)
- Specification of which minoritized, marginalized or other under-represented group will benefit from your project.
- Number of students you expect to attend
- Approximate project implementation date
- Amount of funding requested
- List of anticipated expenses
- Intention to register for Fall Term 2023
- Must have completed UM Sexual Violence Awareness course in UM Learn
Application timeline
Winter Term 2024 - Applications will open in September
- Applications open: Monday, September 25, 2023
- Applications deadline: Friday, October 27, 2023 CLOSED
- Applicants notified: Friday, November 17, 2023 for implementation in Winter 2024
- Funds available in January 2024
Fall Term 2023 - Applications have closed and selections have been made
Sample responses
Click below to view the sample responses for questions for questions 6, 7 and 11.
6. Describe your commitment to work in ways informed by anti-oppression diversity and inclusion (300-word limit)*
As the UM **************** Association, our commitment to diversity and inclusion is reflected in our efforts to promote ******* culture and traditions on campus. One of the ways we do this is by hosting events like *******, which is a significant celebration in ******* culture.
Our commitment to diversity and inclusion involves creating an environment where all students, regardless of their background, feel included and valued. We believe that events like ******* provide an opportunity for ******* students to share their culture and traditions with others and build bridges of understanding and appreciation among different communities on campus.
In organizing our events, we ensure that we uphold our commitment to diversity and inclusion by creating an inclusive space where all attendees feel welcome. We strive to create an environment that celebrates and respects the diversity of our community, while also promoting cultural understanding and awareness.
Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is a core value that underpins our work at the University of Manitoba **************** Association. We believe cultural festivities are an important way of celebrating diversity and promoting cultural understanding on campus, and we are committed to continuing to work toward creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all students.
7. Project description (300-word limit)*
The University of Manitoba **************** Association is excited to present a series of cultural events that celebrate the rich traditions of ****. Our organization is dedicated to promoting ******* culture and creating a welcoming environment for all members of the community.
Our series of events will include *******, ***********, and ********, which are important celebrations in the ******** culture. *******, the ******* New Year, is a time of renewal and rebirth, and is celebrated with family gatherings, traditional foods, and other customs. Our ******* event will include traditional ******* cuisine, music, dance, and other activities that showcase the beauty of this cultural celebration.
***********, the winter solstice, is a time for celebration and feasting, with families gathering to eat pomegranates and watermelons and to read poetry. Our *********** event will feature Iranian poetry readings, live music, and traditional foods that capture the essence of this unique celebration.
********, a festival of harvest and thanksgiving, is celebrated on the autumn equinox and is a time for feasting, dancing, and giving thanks for the bounty of the earth. Our ******** event will feature a variety of ******* foods, dance performances, and cultural activities that celebrate this important festival.
Through our series of events, we hope to promote cross-cultural understanding and foster a sense of community among all attendees. Our events are open to all members of the community, regardless of their background or beliefs. We believe that by sharing our culture and traditions, we can create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all.
We are committed to making our events accessible to everyone, and we welcome individuals with disabilities to participate in our celebrations. We will work to accommodate any needs and ensure that everyone can enjoy our events to the fullest.
In summary, our series of cultural events celebrates the rich traditions of **** and promotes cross-cultural understanding in the community. We invite everyone to join us in celebrating *******, ***********, and ********, and to experience the beauty of ******* culture.
11. Lits of anticipated expenses*
Based on a funding request of $1,500.00
One item/cost per line:
- $600 | refreshment
- $100 | poster design
- $100 | advertisement
- $100 | venue
- $200 | interior design
- $400 | sound equipment
The anticipated expenses are calculated for 3 events in this project.