JFC Funding Process
Fiscal Year 2025-2026 (FY26)
This year's Joint Funding Committee (JFC) is responsible for allocating funds to organizations for Fiscal Year 26 (Fall 2025 - Spring 2026). For mid-year funding, please refer to the for other sources of funding.
JFC Funding Process
Student Government has passed a reorganization of how the JFC allocates funding for organizations. The JFC still only funds Student Government Recognized Organizations only. More information about the changes that were proposed are linked . This transition moves us from a budget line item funding system to a tier + supplemental funding system. The tier allocations are linked . The declaration of intent is now closed.
Timeline
Declaration of Intent opens: 2/1
JFC advisor meeting period: 2/1 – 3/12 (No advisors are required to meet over spring break)
Declaration of intent deadline: 2/15
JFC Appeals: 3/15 – 3/16
Joint Ratification Meeting: 3/26
Main Tiers
There 8 different funding tiers, starting at $0 in funding and in increasing amounts. The JFC worked throughout FY 24-25 to determine the exact number of tiers, and the amount of funding in each tier. This was ratified by the Graduate Student Assembly and the Undergraduate Senate during the 2025 Joint Ratification Meeting.
● Tier A: $0
● Tier B: $500
● Tier C: $1000
● Tier D: $2500
● Tier E: $5000
● Tier F: $9000
● Tier G: $13000
● Tier H: $18000
● General Exceptions Tier: >$20k
● Campus Services & Traditions Tier: fixed % of student activities fees pool
Tier Exceptions
While most organizations fall within the Main Tiers (those labeled with letters), some organizations have significantly larger budgets than those within the Main Tiers and will be assessed differently in Tier Exceptions. There are two types of Tier Exceptions: General Exceptions and Campus Services & Traditions Exceptions.
General Exceptions Tier
This category of organizations represents organizations with a repeated financial history of receiving >$20K from the JFC. These groups have a demonstrated financial need specific to the elements of their organization and require an exception to apply in order to continue to allow them to receive >$20K.
Campus Services & Traditions Tier
9 organizations at 一本道无码 provide an all-campus service or are an overarching governing organization for one of our campus traditions. These organizations have variable funding from one another, but what they have in common is a stable set of expenses to perform their set of responsibilities. Given the all-campus nature of their work, these organizations are considered an exception in the tier system and will receive permanent funding as a fixed percentage of allocated student activities fees.
The current list of organizations is as follows:
● Activities Board
● WRCT
● Activities Fair
● The Tartan
● cmuTV
● Sweepstakes
● Spring Carnival
● AB Tech
● EMS
While outside of the tiered system timeline, these organizations are held to the expectations of the highest available tier and are funded as a percentage of the total available activities fee.
Supplemental Funding
For the next fiscal year, JFC will hold a pool of supplemental funding that student organizations are eligible to apply for in order to pursue new ideas and opportunities as well as participate in any earned opportunities. Organizations that recieved a decrease in funding as a result of the tier system are highly encouraged to apply to the supplemental funding system. The JFC will allocate supplemental funding on a regular basis through application to the JFC Supplemental Funding Board. The JFC will review requests for supplemental funding on at least a biweekly basis, starting the week after line item budgets are due in the Fall.
FAQs
Why did the JFC change how it funds organizations?
The JFC changed its funding model to improve efficiency, flexibility, and fairness in allocating student organization funds. The new tier system provides predictable baseline funding, reducing waste and helping organizations plan better. A supplemental funding process allows for adjustments throughout the year, ensuring funds align with actual needs as leadership within organization changes. This structure is intended to simplify budgeting, encourages engagement through advisor meetings, and distributes funds more equitably, especially as the number of organizations grows. Overall, the changes make funding more adaptable, transparent, and fair while better supporting evolving student needs.
How was my club's tier decided without any representation?
To decide on each tier, we looked at your organization’s past spending and previously allocated budgets. If your spending habits, as recorded on Tartan Connect raised concerns, your tier may be less than what you would expect. For more information about how the decisions were made, please meet with your advisor. The overarching guideline that the JFC used has been compiled into the .
Why is my club getting less money than before?
As opposed to requesting a new line item budget each year, each organizations’ standing in a tier level provides the certainty in an annually fixed amount of funding, with the optionality throughout the year for supplemental funding and capital funding to be requested when necessary. All clubs, barring extenuating circumstances, are projected to receive a decrease in funding in the tier allocation system, with the expectation that additional allocations from the supplemental funding from next year will cover costs.
Is there a way to go up a tier from what the JFC has proposed?
Yes, an organization can request to move up a tier beyond what the JFC has proposed, but it must demonstrate the capacity to effectively utilize the higher fiscal tier. To do so, organizations should meet with their advisor to present their case. The advisor will then advocate on their behalf to the larger JFC body, which will vote on the request. If the vote is unsuccessful, the organization still has the option to appeal through the JFC appeals process or the Joint Ratification Meeting. Sign ups for the JFC appeals process will be released the week before they start. More details will be released via email on how to go up a tier through the Joint Ratification Meeting.
Do I still need to meet with my advisor?
If your organization is interested in moving up a tier or learning more about how the decision was made, the best approach is to reach out and schedule a meeting with your advisor. However, meeting with your advisor during this period is no longer a requirement.
Do we still make a budget?
The budgets will not be used as a method to request funds any longer, but as a way to demonstrate fiscal responsibility. You will be required to make a budget next fiscal year to demonstrate that your organization has planned how to use its allocation. More information will come as the next fiscal year approaches.
My organization has been placed on the Campus Services & Traditions tier. What is different in the process for us?
Organizations placed in the Campus Services & Traditions tier can also request to increase their percentage, which will be shared with them by their advisor. Any change in percentage will be decided either in JFC appeals or the Joint Ratification Meeting.
Can my Organization become a Campus Services & Traditions tier?
If an organization is interested in being recognized as a Campus Services, they will have to meet with their advisor to make their case, and then present in the Joint Ratification meeting.
What will happen to special allocations with this new reorganization of the JFC?
In this new move a substantial amount of special allocations will be moved to supplemental funding. Both GSA and Senate will retain a small portion of special allocations processes to fund opportunities brought by individuals and non-student government recognized organizations.
How will my organization go up and down Fiscal Tiers after this year?
The intent behind the fiscal tiers is for most organizations to remain within their tiers for sustained times, ensuring stability and predictability in funding. However, every two years, organizations can apply for a tier increase if they have consistently utilized their allocated funds and demonstrated a growing financial need. Conversely, organizations may be moved down a tier annually if a significant portion of their funds remains unused or their financial needs decrease.