The Office of Strategic Initiatives launched the Strategic Pillars Impact Fund (SPIF) on Oct. 15 to fund any student, faculty or staff-run initiative up to $500.
Initiatives include, but are not limited to, programs, events, campus speakers and equipment to continue an ongoing project.
“If you have an idea of what you want to start, this is an opportunity to see those ideas bring a group together,” Vice Chancellor of Strategic Initiatives. Robin Parent said.
The Office of Strategic Initiatives launched SPIF in response to less funding opportunities, including SGA’s waning budget, according to Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives Sloan Gonzales.
“We know a lot of times you can have an amazing idea and have all of the skill to put it on, but that lack of funding can be a barrier. So, we help provide a little bit of funding to remove that barrier, or at least make it smaller,” Gonzales said.
Applicants must fill out an online application explaining their need and use of the funds: “What is the initiative? Who’s involved? Who’s connected with it? What is the perceived impact?” Gonzales said.
All initiatives must connect to at least one of UCCS’ core pillars, have measurable goals, a timeline and a budget breakdown in addition to how much money they’re applying for.
“These funds are really meant to be launch money. It can serve as supplemental funding for funding they already received through SGA,” Gonzales said.
According to Program and Resource Manager for the Office of Strategic Initiatives Leya Schnitter, three student, faculty and staff projects will be chosen, totaling nine projects. All funds must be used during the spring 2026 semester.
The application closes Nov. 26 and if funds are not exhausted they will be unavailable to applicants after this date. Winners will be selected by a committee composed of UCCS members and announced by Dec. 9.
SPIF is funded through both the university’s core systems and reserves that are allocated to supporting initiatives, according to Parent.
According to Gonzales, SPIF was established to promote faculty, staff and student ideas and engagement. The funded projects will be displayed on the Action website, which is designed to highlight work across campus that’s tied to the core pillars.
Students are advised to contact Schnitter via email at [email protected] if they have questions about the fund or the application. Students can apply here.
Students walk to class. Photo by Anysia Hovel.