University of Wisconsin–Madison
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RSO Wellness Grant

RSO Wellness Grant

The Wellness Grant provides funding for Registered Student Organization (RSO) events and activities that promote student well-being, are free and accessible to all students, and/or have the potential to make a campus-wide impact. This grant is made possible through support from Abbott Laboratories, recognizing UW-Madison’s first-place achievement in the Big Ten Conference’s “We Give Blood” Competition for leading the conference in blood donations.

RSO Wellness Grant Application

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Wellness Grant Funding

Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) can receive up to $4,000 per academic year for Wellness Events. Accredited Registered Student Organizations can receive up to $5,000 per academic year for Wellness Events. Please carefully read the eligibility criteria and event requirements prior to applying for the Wellness Grant.

Funding Eligibility

  1. All currently Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) at UW-Madison are eligible.
  2. The person who submits the Wellness Grant application must be both a member of the Registered Student Organization and a currently registered UW-Madison student.

Event Criteria

  1. Event is free to attend and open to all UW students and/or has the potential for campus-wide impact and is in compliance with all university policies.
  2. Events must meet the following definition:
    • Wellness is the active, conscious pursuit of good health, lifestyle choices, and overall well-being.  Wellness is centered around eight dimensions of well-being (social, emotional, physical, environmental, financial, spiritual, intellectual, occupational).  The Wellness Grant will prioritize funding events centered around the dimensions of physical and emotional well-being, other dimensions of wellness will be considered, but a strong justification must be provided. Definitions provided by the National Institute for Health.

Event Location Criteria

  1. Events must be held in an accessible location on campus.
  2. Requests for off-campus facility rental will only be considered if:
    • There is a compelling reason why no on-campus venue is suitable or available for the event; and
    • The selected off-campus facility is accessible, and transportation is provided to students if the location is not within walking distance (day trips only).

Funding Criteria

  1. All grant purchases will be made directly by the university. The grant will not reimburse RSOs for purchases.
  2. RSOs must provide all required financial documentation and submit the Wellness Grant Final Documentation Form must be submitted within 10 businesses day after the event to be able to receive the allocated grant funding. The form will ask the RSO to upload any outstanding invoice(s), receipt(s) and a photo taken at the event.
  3. The grant can pay for following items and expenses:
    • Food/Catering
    • Honoraria (fee for service or instruction)
      • Lodging for speakers, performers, or trainers
      • Transportation for speakers, performers, or trainers
    • Transportation (e.g. school bus) to an off-campus location (day trips only)
    • Program supplies 
    • Facility rental
    • Equipment rental 
    • Printing
    • Advertising

Grant Application Deadlines

  • RSOs must submit their application at least four weeks or 20 business days before their event and are strongly encouraged to apply earlier.
  • Funding decisions will be made by the Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) Wellness Committee and a notification will be sent to the RSO at least two weeks prior to the event.
  • Online applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 pm on the designated due date, which is four weeks or 20 business days prior to the event or activity.
  • For funding requests to bring honorarium speakers, performers, or trainers to the campus, RSOs should apply as early as possible, even months in advance, with one month in advance as the bare minimum due to the time needed for university contracts.
  • The last day to submit a Wellness Grant application is on April 1, 2027 (if funds are still available).
    RSO Wellness Grant Application

    Grant Requirements

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    Wellness grant applications must include the following.

    • Demonstration of need
    • How UW students will benefit
    • Explanation of chosen area(s) of well-being
    • Event description
    • Implementation and Marketing Plan
    • Measure of Success
    • Budget

    • The event must be publicized at least two weeks in advance and advertising must be digitally accessible, including social media, to all potential attendees through numerous means.
    • Events must be created and posted on the Wisconsin Involvement Network and be tag with ‘Grant Funded: SOLI’ and ‘Wellness Grant.’ The ‘Wellness Grant’ tag is only visible once grant monies are approved.
    • Event promotions include the following language “Open to all UW Students.”

    Participant attendance must be taken at the event.

    • The funded event must be created in the Wisconsin Involvement Network by an officer of the RSO and tagged ‘Wellness Grant.’
    • Event participants/attendees should use the Wisconsin Involvement Network App to scan in or check into the event.
    • Here are the links to download the app:
    • Attendees who do not have a cell phone can be added manually to the event.

    All funds must be paid directly to an approved food vendor. The Wellness Grant will not reimburse any purchases made by an individual or organization.

    • The Wellness Grant funds food in the following instances.
        • The business of the event could not be effectively conducted without the inclusion of a meal:
          • Event where attendees actively and intentionally learn about wellness through food
          • Event lasts long enough that it is unreasonable to expect attendees to go without a snack or meal
          • Event where continuity would be definitively interrupted by breaking up for a meal
        • The business of the event is conducted during the meal:
          • A guided discussion, or learning activity during a meal
          • A meal-time speaker or performer is scheduled
        • Adequate facilities are not available for the event attendees to eat on their own.
    • Maximum Food Rates per Person
      • Meal prices cannot exceed the following maximum rates per person, according to State of Wisconsin Policy. You may find the Business Meal Calculator helpful in estimating how much your meal will cost per person.
        • $20 for breakfast
        • $21 for lunch
        • $35 for dinner
        • $12 for refreshments/breaks

    All funds must be paid directly to an approved vendor. The Wellness Grant will not reimburse any purchases made by an individual or organization..

    • Honoraria (fee for service or instruction)
      • Lodging for speakers, performers, or trainers
      • Transportation for speakers, performers, or trainers
      • Transportation (e.g. school bus) to an off-campus location (day trips only)
      • Program supplies 
      • Facility rental
      • Equipment rental 
      • Printing
    • Items and types of events NOT eligible for Wellness Grant funding include:
      • Alcohol– no events serving alcohol are eligible for grant fundsTax – Grant funds CANNOT pay taxes in any form for any service or itemStudent travel expenses to attend conferences – see ASM Travel Grant for funding.
      • First class air fare– prohibited by State of Wisconsin policy

    • An RSOs can receive up to $4,000 per year for Wellness event(s) hosted by their organization. Accredited RSOs can receive up to $5,000 per year.
    • Accredited RSOs must be accredited when they apply for the grant and when they receive the additional $1,000 of funding.
    • An RSO can apply multiple times for the Wellness Grant if the events that they have hosted collectively have not exceeded the maximum spending limit per RSO.
    • RSOs should only request the amount needed to fund requested items for the event.
    • Approval of funding is contingent on availability of funds.
    • Funds will only be paid to a vendor within 30 calendar days of the conclusion of the event and only after the Wellness Event Final Documentation Form has been completed and approved. 
    • Tax for any items or service can not be paid by the Wellness Grant.
    • Items eligible for Wellness Grant funding are subject to University and State of Wisconsin regulations and policies.