STUDENT APPLICATION Before completing your application, please review the Terms and Conditions and Catalyst Tips sections below for valuable information and ideas. To submit your application online please visit: northeastern.edu/catalyst/submit Contact Information: Primary Point of Contact (Student): Sponsoring NU Organization or Academic Program: Brief description of organization or academic program: Organization Website (if applicable): Faculty Advisor or Project Sponsor: Student Activities Program Manager (if applicable): Please list the names, colleges, and class years for all project team members:
Project Details: Project Title: Project Tag Line (approximately 140 characters or less): Please describe your project to potential donors: How will your project impact Northeastern, the greater community, and/or your educational experience? When will the project take place and/or be completed?
What is your Catalyst fundraiser goal and how will the money be used? Please include your specific budget: This goal represents the minimum amount of funding needed to complete the project and produce successful results. If applicable, what is your stretch goal and how would money raised beyond your initial goal be used? The stretch goal should be an amount that can be used to expand your impact, add features, or take the project from good to great. Promotion: How do you plan to promote your fundraiser? Social Media Links (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr):
Multimedia: A video pitch and photos are required for all Catalyst projects. You may choose to submit these materials at this time or complete them once your application has been approved. Digital Video Pitch (2 min or less) Submit a private YouTube link to your video. Digital Photos Attach up to 10 high-resolution jpegs. Faculty or Staff Recommendation: Please attach a brief recommendation letter from a faculty or staff member that is familiar with your organization or the students involved with your project. Choose an advisor/sponsor that can attest to your accountability and commitment to your project as well as the program. Terms and Conditions: All monies raised must be used towards the stated intention. Awarded funds may not be applied towards projects that will generate profit for individuals. This platform is an all or nothing fundraiser. If an organization does not hit its goal in the time allotted, the funds will not be directly awarded. The funds collected during an incomplete fundraiser will be distributed into a general fund to benefit student-life programs at the discretion of the Office of Alumni Relations and The Northeastern Fund. If an organization hits their goal before the assigned deadline, they can opt to continue to raise funds toward a stretch goal. All funds collected past the initial goal, even if the stretch goal is not hit, will be distributed to the student group. These funds MUST be applied directly towards the stated project. Students are responsible for promoting their own fundraiser, preparing a personal thank you message to donors, submitting monthly updates on the status of our project, and upon invitation, taking part in a student showcase event. Projects must be completed within one year of a successful fundraiser. Multi-stage projects may be broken into multiple fundraisers if stages can be defined by a completed product, event, activity, or service. The Office of Alumni Relations and The Northeastern Fund reserves the right to decline any projects based on content or discontinue an active fundraiser at any time due to any changes in the student group s eligibility status. To ensure compliance with university policies all projects must be approved by your campus activities program manager. We have read and agree to the terms and conditions SUBMIT
CATALYST TIPS 1. Tell Your Story Alumni donors will respond to your passion along with the ability to relate to your Northeastern experience. When compiling your project description try to answer the following questions: What is unique about your project? What impact will it have on Northeastern, the greater community, or the world? How is it innovative? How does this personally enhance your Northeastern experience? 2. Be Creative Sell your ideas to prospective donors through engaging video and photos. Your video does not necessarily need to involve complicated editing or spectacular footage just honest and convincing testimony about your organization, why your project is important, and how prospective donors can help. The goal is to provide donors with a personal connection to you so let your personality and passion shine! Your efforts will also provide users with an enjoyable online experience, resulting in more visits and more donations. 3. Set Obtainable Goals, then Stretch! We want to guarantee that contributions result in successful projects so to receive funding you must hit your initial goal. Once your initial goal is hit, if time still remains on the clock, you have the option to post a stretch goal and continue fundraising! With that in mind, set your initial goal to an obtainable amount that will provide the minimum funds needed to complete your project and deliver results. Then set a stretch goal that allows you to expand your impact, add features, or bring your project from good to great. Once your initial goal is exceeded, you will receive all funds raised, even if the stretch goal is not hit. This allows you to showcase your ambition and passion for your project while reducing the risk of the all or nothing model. Larger or ongoing projects can also be funded in stages so don t hesitate to ask us for help in determining a reasonable goal. 4. Self-Promote It s up to you to build momentum for your project. We ll do our part to spread the word to the alumni community but in order to be successful you must utilize your own networks to drive prospective donors to your project site. You can reach out to past members of your organization, pass out flyers on campus, and utilize social networking tools. Be sure to have a plan in place to spread the word to your family, professional contacts, and former and current classmates. 5. Timely Updates and Sincere Acknowledgements The sustainability of the platform and the success of future student projects rely on your commitment to the program. When your project is funded your group will provide us with a sincere thank you note that will be sent on your behalf to the donors. About a month after completing your fundraiser, you ll begin to send us monthly updates on your process which will be posted to the site, culminating in your completed project. We recommend that your completed project update includes either photos or video. Timely delivery of these pieces is of the utmost importance because if donors can see the direct impact of their gifts they are more likely to give again. 6. Think About Incentives Do you have any ideas for additional ways to incentivize or acknowledge your donors? Perhaps you could offer an invite to your next networking event or an organization T-shirt for a larger donation. This portion is optional but could result in an even more successful fundraiser. CONTACT For questions about the program or application please contact: Valerie Paquette, x7290, v.paquette@neu.edu