Approved by the ASI Board of Directors – Jan. 21, 2026.

Apply for ASI Social Justice Program Funding on Cal Poly Now

Philosophy

ASI Social Justice Program Funding is available for currently chartered Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs), Instructionally Related Activities (IRAs) and Cal Poly departments to sponsor or co-sponsor events or projects designed to advance student success, strengthen community, and uphold the values of access and belonging at Cal Poly. Rooted in the principles of respect, growth, and accountability, Social Justice Program Funding supports opportunities that elevate all voices, foster mutual understanding, and encourage collective responsibility for a more just campus. The program affirms that every student should feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive in an environment where differences are respected and celebrated as essential to institutional excellence.

Publicity

Availability of, and procedures for ASI Social Justice Program Funding will be publicized through the ASI website. Promotion of the funding will be completed via a campus-wide outreach program including but not limited to the ASI website, Cal Poly Portal, social media, and email newsletters.

Eligibility

Applying organizations must be currently chartered Cal Poly RSOs with an on-campus bank account managed by ASI, or IRAs.

Cal Poly departments are eligible to apply only when co-sponsoring an event or project in partnership with at least one RSO. The department may serve as the fiscal agent and manage the funds, but the proposal must demonstrate meaningful student involvement and leadership in the planning and execution of the event or project from the RSO.

Maximum allotment: $3,000 per applicant per fiscal year for up to 3 events or projects.

Terms of Funding

To ensure alignment with ASI’s Mission and responsible use of student fees, the appropriations committee will accept proposals that clearly serve the Terms of Funding and demonstrate that Cal Poly students are the primary beneficiaries of the event or project.

a. ASI Social Justice Program Funding must be used for the purpose of supporting events or projects intended to form community and foster an equitable and inclusive environment for all Cal Poly students.

1. Events or projects seeking to be sponsored or co-sponsored with ASI Social Justice Program Funding must meet one of the following criteria:

i. Promote awareness, dialogue, and action around social justice issues.

ii. Celebrate and highlight a cultural group on campus.

b. Emphasize learning and growth through an educational program or community-oriented experience. If an organization is requesting ASI Social Justice Program funding for more than one event or project, a separate application must be completed for each.

c. ASI Social Justice Program Funding may be used as the sole source of funding.

d. If an RSO has applied for and received both ASI Club Event Co-Sponsorship Funding and ASI Social Justice Program Funding, ASI Social Justice Program Funding will be applied first to all eligible expenses. 1. ASI Club Event Co-Sponsorship can fund up to 50 percent of the total eligible event(s) expenses not to exceed $1,700 per fiscal year. This is a matching funds sponsorship which means that RSOs must have available general funds in their account to match the amount being allocated in ASI Club Event Co-Sponsorship. ASI Social Justice Program Funding cannot be used to fund the remaining 50 percent.

e. ASI reserves the right to disqualify any organization from applying for ASI Social Justice Program Funding indefinitely for attempts to defraud or deceive.

f. All funding decisions will be made without regard to the viewpoint being expressed by the requesting applicant. For more information regarding ASI’s Viewpoint Neutrality Policy, please visit the ASI website

Expenditure Guidelines

a. ASI Social Justice Program Funding must be used for purposes consistent with the California State University Board of Trustees, Campus Administrative Policies, and ASI Policies.

b. No ASI Social Justice Program Funding may be used for travel or lodging expenses.

c. ASI Social Justice Program Funding will fund up to $750 toward speaker fees for the academic year. The following expenditures of ASI Social Justice Program Funding are not permitted:

1. 1. Expenditures to directly support or oppose any candidate for public office, whether partisan or not, or to support or oppose any issue before the voters as required by California Education Code Title V, Section 42403
   2. Charitable donations
   3. Alcohol
   4. Door prizes, awards, gifts (including gift cards/certificates)
   5. Payroll expenses

Application Procedures

a. ASI Student Government will begin accepting applications beginning July 1.

b. ASI Social Justice Program Funding applications are available on the ASI website.

c. The requesting organization must complete the application and obtain an approved digital signature of a club officer and advisor indicated on the current Charter (RSO), department chair (Department), or IRA advisor (IRA).

d. ASI Social Justice Program Funding will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis until funds are exhausted.

e. If an event or project is sponsored by multiple organizations, only one can receive funds to pay for the associated expenses.

f. ASI Social Justice Program Funding Applications must be submitted a minimum of 21 days prior to the event or project start date.

g. For RSOs, an E-Plan must be on file for an event prior to the application submission.

h. Once ASI Social Justice Program Funding is exhausted, applications will no longer be accepted. Additionally, all unfunded applications will be returned to the requesting organization.

i. Submission of an application for ASI Social Justice Program Funding does not guarantee funding will be allocated.

j. If approved, an email will be sent to the requesting organization regarding the timeline and process for reconciling ASI Social Justice Program Funding.

Decision Process

a. ASI Social Justice Program Funding appropriation recommendations will be made by a committee with the Chair of the ASI Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) Committee serving as the chair, the ASI Secretary of DEIJ, one ASI Club Funding Liaison, and a representative from Student Diversity and Belonging.

1. 1. The committee will be responsible for reviewing all applications to determine if they meet the Terms of Funding to receive ASI Social Justice Program Funding.
   2. The Chair of the Committee will cast tie-breaking votes when required.
   3. The ASI Executive Director or designee shall serve as a staff representative to the committee.
   4. A simple majority of voting members present is required to conduct a vote.

b. ASI Social Justice Program funding appropriation decisions will be made by the ASI Officers, in consultation with the ASI Executive Director or designee, until the recommending committee is established.

c. Final review and approval will be made by the ASI Officers. The ASI Officers will consider the committee’s recommendation when making final budget allocation decisions.

d. An email indicating approval or denial of the ASI Social Justice Program Funding request will be sent to the requesting entity.

• 1. If approved, an email will be sent regarding the timeline and process of reconciling ASI Social Justice Program Funding.
  2. If denied, an email will be sent to the requesting entity explaining the reason why funding was not allocated.

i. A written request from the requesting organization may be submitted to ASI Student Government within 14 days of the denial notification to appeal the decision.

ii. If appealed, a meeting may be scheduled between the requesting organization’s representatives, and the ASI Officers to discuss the reasons for denial.

iii. All decisions after the meeting are final and are not subject to further appeal.

Viewpoint Neutrality

This funding is provided in alignment with ASI’s commitment to viewpoint neutrality, and as such, ASI does not endorse any specific student organization event. If an organization wishes to include ASI’s name or branding on promotional materials for their event, prior approval from ASI Public Relations, Communications, & Marketing is required. Branding reviews and requests can be submitted via email to asimarketing@calpoly.edu.

Reconciliation Procedures for RSOs

a. A completed ASI Social Justice Program Funding Payment Request Form (PRF) with appropriate back-up documentation must be submitted to ASI Club Services to access funds.

b. ASI Social Justice Program Funding PRFs must be submitted to ASI Club Services no later than 14 days after the event or project end date. Late PRFs will not be accepted for reimbursement. Extensions will only be granted to RSOs in cases where there are pending campus entity billings.

c. Any allocated funds that are not reconciled will be returned to ASI.

Reconciliation Procedures for Departments and IRAs

a. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between ASI and the requesting department or IRA outlining the terms of the funding support will be initiated by ASI following approval by the ASI officers.

b. No later than 14 days after the event or project end date, the authorized signer on behalf of the requesting department or IRA is required to provide verification of the terms of the agreement, along with an invoice to ASI for the approved amount.

c. Upon receipt of the invoice, ASI will provide payment to the requesting department or IRA.

Review and Compliance

a. The ASI Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Committee and the ASI Club Funding Liaisons, in conjunction with ASI Club Services staff, will review the Social Justice Program Funding Policy every 3 years and seek ASI Board of Directors approval for revisions as necessary.

 

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