What to Submit
The UNCG Green Fund Committee is pleased to invite proposals from UNCG students and employees for efforts that support sustainability initiatives at UNCG.
Projects may improve campus infrastructure, sustainability education, research, or professional development that aids students. Projects must tangibly benefit Greensboro and/or the UNCG campus community.
We encourage submissions for projects that address the following:
- • Just sustainabilities/environmental justice: proposals that educate, explore, or advance topics of racial justice and social equity at UNCG and surrounding communities.
- • Sustainability education and outreach: proposals that call for the participation of scholars and community members in sustainability initiatives at UNCG.
- • Environmental humanities: proposals that connect sustainability with humanities (language, philosophy, literature, history, art) in order to advance sustainability initiatives at UNCG.
- • Efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions reduction: proposals that advance the efficient use of energy, materials, or other resources and reduce the carbon footprint of the UNCG community.
This list includes topics that the current Committee is most interested in funding, but please do not think of these categories as limitations. The Committee will happily consider projects that address other issues, as long as projects are related in some way to sustainability. To see projects that have been funded in the past, please visit the main Green Fund page and scroll to the bottom of the page.
How to Submit
Download and review the application form (link above), be sure to include all relevant information about your project and budget. Make sure your budget is as detailed as possible - links are appreciated. UNCG is a non-profit and does not pay taxes. Not all of the criteria on the application will be relevant to every project. For example, not every project will save energy or reduce our CO2 emissions, just be sure to provide information relevant to your project. Be sure to also review more information about deadlines and answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) above. Then, send your completed proposal to greenfund@uncg.edu!
While we do not expect proposals to be perfect and without mistakes, we encourage you to share your proposal with others for feedback before you submit. Other readers will notice information that might be helpful to the Committee to help us make a decision, along with proofreading errors that are often overlooked. Feel free to utilize the services at our University Writing Center; the Writing Center’s consultants are familiar with responding to grant proposals and are sure to be helpful. The Office of Sustainability will also gladly meet with you to provide guidance: greenfund@uncg.edu.
When to Submit
We accept proposals in September, October, November, February, March, and April. The application deadline is at 5 p.m. on the first day of these months.
- • If you submit a proposal for less than $1,000, you can submit by the first of any of the months listed above.
- • If you submit a proposal for more than $1,000, your application will be accepted on October 1st in the fall, and/or on March 1st and April 1st during the spring. These particular deadlines allow us more time to make decisions on projects with larger budgets.
As long as you’ve submitted your application by the appropriate deadline, we will inform you of our decision within four weeks after the submission deadline. Funds must be used for projects that are not already completed; i.e., you cannot use funds as reimbursement for past projects. Therefore, you should give yourself plenty of time to make sure your proposal is eligible for review before beginning your project.
Want to Get Involved?
Students who wish to serve on the Green Fund Committee should contact Sean MacInnes at s_macinn@uncg.edu and include a one- to two-page cover letter that explains your experience with sustainability issues on some level and expresses why you want to serve on the committee. Students are required to attend two meetings a month during the school year and contribute some additional hours to review applications and promote the Green Fund on campus. Preference will be given to students who can serve for at least two years.
Green Fund Committee
Ren Aquino
Sociology
I am a sophmore at UNCG and serve as the Secretary of Sustainability Affairs on the Executive Cabinet for the Student Government Association's 100th Session. I'm very passionate about equitable and accessible sustainability, and it's my goal to help foster widespread involvement and passion for the environment amongst UNCG students and the community as a whole.
Catherine Bowlin (Co-chair)
Ph.D. Candidate, English
I’m thrilled to serve on the Green Fund committee to learn more about sustainability and to support more sustainable practices here at UNCG. Serving on the Green Fund committee connects my research interests with my personal passion: environmental justice. I’m honored to advocate for more equitable environmental sustainability at UNCG.
Brianna Calvin
Biology & Chemistry
I am currently working with the Green Fund Committee to represent the residential student body here on campus. I am the President of the Residence Hall Association and one of our biggest priorities as an organization is to advocate for residential students. I am honored to be a voice for them. I believe it is important for the Green Fund Committee to have a member that will bring new ideas and opinions from the residents living on campus. I am pleased to be working alongside some extraordinary people on the committee. It is important to do our part as a community to make the environment more sustainable not just for UNCG but for the world.
Leena Godbole
MS, Informatics & Analytics
My background is in textiles for consumer and industrial products. During my six years in the industry, I developed a sense of personal responsibility to live more sustainably. Navigating this as an individual is difficult-- it can be hard to understand which green initiatives are meaningful and which are simply good marketing. Serving on the Green Fund is a way for me to bring meaningful social and environmental good to my community. I'm looking forward to the proposals you send our way.
Zelena Johnson
Ph.D. Candidate, Nanonscience and Nanoengineering
My area of interest is Mycology. I work in the genomics lab with Dr. LaJeunesse and study genetic and biomechanical responses of Candida albicans (microorganisms that are part of our natural microflora) to external stimuli/stressors, in hopes of improving the treatment of Candida (fungal) infections. Being environmentally conscientious helps to sustain the planet’s ability to provide a viable environment to facilitate life, including human life. The decisions we make today affects the quality of life of future generations, and it is our obligation to ensure that the planet can nurture life for generations to come.
Theophraste "Theo" Noussi
Ph.D. Candidate, Nanonscience and Nanoengineering
I have always been passionate about sustainability and environmental protection because of my mother's dedication to Earth is a great inspiration to me. My research work in graduate school has always had an environmental angle to it. It is my way of bringing awareness to environmental issues, promoting sustainability to the general public, and helping build a healthier and safer ecosystem for the community as well as for generations to come. I am thrilled to be part of the Green Fund Program and excited about this journey.
Haily Vinson
Public Health Education
I am so excited to work with the Green Fund Committee as the Residence Hall Association Vice President of Community Outreach and Service. I look forward to being the voice of the students who live on campus. It is important that I do my job to try and make the residence halls more aware of the environment and teach them what to do to make it better. Being that I am a public health major this experience can help me educate myself and others on the matter.
