The Programming Fund

The Programming Fund

Supports the sharing of student organization curiosity, interests, and educational aims directly with the larger Duke undergraduate community.

Review full guidelines here.

SOFC hosts Funding Hearings every Tuesday, starting at 7pm

Groups must submit a request on DukeGroups by Sundays at 7 PM ET to be eligible for funding for an event taking place 21 days from your submission date.

Typical Funding Timeline:

○ Sundays: Applications due for the week by 7 PM ET

○ Mondays: Invitation to sign up for SOFC Hearing time slot is sent to groups

○ Tuesdays: SOFC Hearing

○ Wednesdays: DSG Senate Approval (only needed if the request is > $1,500)

○ Thursdays: SOP Finance initiated fund transfer (arrives the latest by the following Thursday)

Events must be accessible, open, and free to all Duke undergraduates. Groups must register their events in DukeGroups.

Programming fund requests must include proof of cost (invoices, screenshots, etc.) for each line item in the funding request or they cannot be funded.

  • Examples of Funded Events

    • Estimated attendance of 100+
    • Outdoor amplified sound
    • Events including a guest speaker
    • Political campaign events featuring political candidate for office and/or voter registration drives
    • Events requiring a contracts and/or paid performer
    • Outdoor recreation events (5Ks, races, field days, etc.)

    Events must be advertised where possible ( Email lists, "Class of" Facebook groups, public Instagram accounts )

    We will support Duke-created, Duke undergraduate-centered conferences, provided that they are on Duke campus or platforms. Conferences open to non-Duke undergraduate individuals will likely only be partially funded. The percentage of Duke undergraduates in attendance will likely determine the percentage funded.

  • Not Funded

    • Any items on the SOP Prohibited List
    • Any event which is restricted to particular students, select groups, etc.
    • Decoration of any kind, including banners
    • Giveaways such as succulents, custom apparel, prizes, etc.
    • Marketing – we do not fund online, social media, or printed advertising
    • Reusable items, including but not limited to appliances or merchandise; however, we will fund and strongly encourage the renting of these items. We will only fund reusable items as part of the Operational and Capital Fund process.
    • Semi-Formals, Formals, and any other event SOFC deems to fall under that category

    Note: Student groups are not allowed to host events after the last day of classes.