Division of Student Affairs

Project Timeline

Project proposals submitted in the Fall 2023 submission cycle will receive funding for either Fall 2023 (Quick-Proposals) or Spring 2024 (General Proposal). Project proposals submitted in the Spring 2024 submission cycle which receive funding will be implemented during the 2024-2025 fiscal year which occurs from September 2024-August 2025, meaning they must be completed within the span of one year. Quick-Proposal applications are for projects that conclude within a semester and are typically less than $3,000.00. For spring funding, the project must be completed by the end of Summer 2024, with all funding being used by the end of August 2024. Quick proposals are accepted on a rolling basis to be reviewed at the subsequent committee meeting after the WMGF office has received the project and necessary approvals.

Fall Submission Dates	Timeline Items
September 18, 2023	Quick-Proposal materials for implementation as early as Fall 2023 are due.
October 6th, 2023	Optional project draft may be submitted to have the committee review before an official submission.
October 23, 2023	General project proposal materials for implementation as early as Spring 2024 are due.
November 2023	Project teams for spring semester project proposals will present to the student-majority We Mean Green Fund Committee (WMGFC).* *Presentation dates TBD, connect with the WMGF for the most updated information.
December 2023	Project teams may be invited for follow-up presentations to the We Mean Green Fund Committee. The committee will deliberate and provide funding recommendations to UNT’s Division of Student Affairs leadership for final approval.
January 2024	Awarded projects typically receive funding and begin implementation by the start of the next semester (January 2025).
August 2024	Project bills are paid no later than the end of the 2023-2024 fiscal year (August 31, 2024).

Spring Submission Dates	Timeline Items
March 4, 2023	Optional project draft may be submitted to have the committee review before an official submission.
March 20, 2023	General project proposal materials for implementation for the 2024-2025 academic year are due. Quick-Proposal projects for implementation in Summer 2024 are due.
Late March- Early April 2024	Project teams for spring semester project proposals will present to the student-majority We Mean Green Fund Committee (WMGFC).* *Presentation dates TBD, connect with the WMGF for the most updated information.
Late April 2024	Project teams may be invited for follow-up presentations to the We Mean Green Fund Committee. The committee will deliberate and provide funding recommendations to UNT’s Division of Student Affairs leadership for final approval.
September 2024	Awarded projects typically receive funding and begin implementation by the start of the next UNT fiscal year (September).
August 2025	Project bills are paid no later than the end of the 2024-2025 fiscal year (August 31, 2025).

Project Approvals

If your project proposes physical changes to the university or new campus practices or procedures that will impact any department’s functions or operations, you will be required to submit a Project Approval Form from appropriate campus entities confirming their support/approval of the project. Signed Project Approval Forms are requested from all project stakeholders whose involvement or approval is necessary for project completion. If you need assistance in identifying the entities from which your project might require approval, contact We Mean Green Fund staff at WeMeanGreenFund@unt.edu.

Below are examples of potentially necessary project approvers depending on the project scope.

Art in Public Places Committee – oversees acquisition, placement, maintenance, and insurance for artwork installations

Athletics – oversees sporting events and activities

Building Managers/Proctors – oversees building-specific maintenance and operations

Deans or Department Chairs – oversees academic unit or area of concern to support students

Design Review Board – oversees approvals for any new building project such as ones related to improvements or construction affecting the campus exterior public space, existing building appearance, landscape, or campus aesthetic

Dining Services – oversees campus dining operations including retail options

Facilities – oversees construction, grounds maintenance, recycling, custodial, vehicle rentals, campus maintenance, key requests, and event support services

Housing – oversees residence life and residence halls

Risk Management – oversees emergency management, safety services, environmental health and safety, and insurance and claims

Student Affairs – provides students with support for academic success, social engagement, and personal/professional growth thorough various departments

Transportation Services – oversees campus parking and transit

University Brand Strategy and Communications – oversees UNT's branding approval, social media, advertising, and news and media relations

Funding Availability

The We Mean Green Fund Committee may allocate up to $100,000 to support projects that happen between Fall 2023-Summer 2024. Projects that receive funding must conclude by the end of the August 2025, therefore, the scope and budget of each project must be manageable by the deadline. Projects with smaller budgets of $20,000 or less have a stronger likelihood of receiving funding. However, you may propose a larger budget.

What You Need To Submit 

For complete instructions and details about proposal requirements, review the We Mean Green Fund Project Proposal Guide. Additionally, you can find supplementary information in our presentation and handout.

A complete We Mean Green Fund project proposal includes the following materials. Editable forms will be sent via email upon submission of an interest form.

• Interest Form (submit this as soon as possible before writing your proposal to receive early feedback from staff)
  • To request a WMGFC mentor during the project proposal application process, please indicate your need in the project interest form submission.
• Project Proposal Application or Quick-Proposal Application
  • The draft review period occurs approximately 2 weeks before the submission deadline. You have the option to submit your proposal before the draft review deadline to receive feedback prior to your final submission. Please refer to the 'timeline' tab for specific draft submission deadlines.
• Budget Excel Document
• Project Approval Form (where applicable)
• Project Presentation (7-12 minutes)

Interest Form

By submitting an Interest Form you express to the We Mean Green Fund staff that you are interested in applying for project funding. Submit one Interest Form per project to briefly define your project idea to the green fund staff. Interest Forms can be submitted at any time. After you submit an Interest Form, staff can offer feedback, confirm feasibility, connect you with appropriate campus entities, advisors, or team members, and provide guidance on how to move forward successfully and best compose your project proposal as a compelling narrative for the We Mean Green Fund Committee's review. If you have multiple members on your project team, only one individual needs to submit this form. 

Project Proposal Application

The Project Proposal Application provides the We Mean Green Fund Committee with a summary of your proposed project and the context of its feasibility and impact. It also identifies your project team and project advisor. The Project Proposal Application consists of prompts which must be completed to be considered for funding. In this application, you will submit information about how your project addresses environmental sustainability on campus, as well as provide information about the project timeline and budget. All We Mean Green Fund projects require a full-time UNT staff or faculty member to be an advisor for the project. This individual is responsible for aiding in the maintenance and implementation of the project throughout the project's lifespan and beyond the students’ graduation if necessary.

Supplemental Budget Document

Project proposals must include a budget that is clearly defined and based on research. In addition to, or instead of the budget on the Project Proposal Application, project leads may use the provided Budget Excel template. When developing the budget, consider the project’s needs for equipment, general materials or supplies, construction, publicity and marketing, personnel and wages, consultants, and more. Proposals including construction may require the assistance of a professional UNT cost estimator. Consult with the Green Fund staff first for budgeting or cost estimating questions.

Project Approval Forms

If your project proposes physical changes to the university or new campus practices or procedures that will impact any department’s functions or operations, you must submit a Project Approval Form from appropriate campus entities confirming their support/approval of the project. Signed Project Approval Forms are requested from all project stakeholders whose involvement or approval is necessary for project completion (e.g., UNT faculty, staff, departments, organizations, external units, etc.).  Read more details under the Project Approvals tab.

Project Presentation

Projects requesting funding over $3,000 must present to the We Mean Green Fund committee. The goal of this presentation, or pitch, is to convey the importance of your project idea in a way that demonstrates your passion for advancing your sustainability mission on campus. The presentation or pitch should not use the written proposal as a word-for-word script; this presentation is supplemental and should help amplify your narrative with additional information, giving the committee a greater understanding of your project and intentions. Live presentations provide the opportunity to interact with and answer questions from the committee members. Presentations opportunities are not guaranteed until all proposal documents have been submitted and approved by the required campus and community partners. 

Presentations and video pitches should include the following information, at minimum: 

• • A passionate, yet brief, description of what your project is and why you are proposing it 

  • A mention of the project team (students, faculty, staff, departments, etc.) and who you will be working with to achieve the project. 

  • The budget request for your project 

  • How your project will impact the campus community (student impact and environmental impact) 

Time Limit: Presentations are limited to 10 minutes including a question-and-answer session. 

Questions & Accessibility

If you have questions or require a reasonable accommodation to complete your proposal because of a disability, please contact the WMGF team at 940-369-8302 or WeMeanGreenFund@unt.edu for assistance. Please make the request as soon as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange reasonable accommodation.

Ready to Submit?

If you have completed all of the above steps, please email all of the above documents and files to WeMeanGreenFund@unt.edu.

Project Inspiration

Need some 'greenspiration'  for a project idea? Check out the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals and get creative to address sustainable development locally! The 17 goals were adopted in 2015 as a "universal call to action to protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030." Please note, We Mean Green Fund project proposals must have an environmentally-focused core as they are funded through the Environmental Service Fee. 

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