Funding your RSO

Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) at Dalton State College are responsible for managing their finances in a responsible and ethical manner consistent with college policies and applicable laws. Strong financial planning helps organizations sustain programs, support members, and create meaningful campus experiences.

RSOs may obtain funding through several methods, including:

Organizations are encouraged to monitor their financial records throughout the academic year.

Fundraising

Student organizations may conduct fundraisers for organizational development, philanthropy, travel, programs, or other approved purposes. All fundraising activities must comply with institutional policies and applicable laws. Organizations must:

  • Submit an Event Reservation designating the event as a fundraiser at least 7 business days prior to the event
  • Receive approval before conducting any fundraising activity
  • Follow all solicitation and canvassing policies outlined in this handbook
  • Ensure all funds raised support lawful organizational purposes

Additional fundraising guidelines include:

  • Organizations may hold a maximum of four fundraisers per academic year and no more than two per semester
  • Off-campus food vendors may not sell food on campus on behalf of an RSO fundraiser
  • Sales may not conflict with existing institutional contracts or exclusive campus vendors
  • Games of chance involving monetary prizes are prohibited
  • Auctions involving the sale of a person’s time or services are prohibited

 Within five business days following the fundraiser, organizations must submit all required completion forms and financial documentation.

For additional regulations regarding solicitation, advertising, vendors, and promotional activities, please refer to the Solicitation and Canvassing Policy section of this handbook.

Collecting Membership dues

RSOs may establish membership dues if authorized within the organization’s constitution. Dues should be reasonable, transparent, and directly connected to organizational operations or membership benefits.

Organizations are responsible for:

  • Clearly communicating dues expectations to members
  • Maintaining accurate financial records
  • Depositing collected funds to the Office of Student Engagement & Belonging

If organizations collect dues or fees on behalf of regional or national affiliates, those funds must also be processed through approved institutional procedures.

Annual Budgets Approved by the Office of Student Engagement and Belonging

At the beginning of each Fall semester, RSOs that have successfully completed the re-newel process including the tiered-based reporting, will be granted an annual budget for the academic year. The budgets will be approved by the Coordinator for Student Belonging.

Organizations should understand:

  • Unused allocated funds may revert according to institutional budget procedures
  • Final funding approval is subject to institutional and Board of Regents processes

Organizations are encouraged to budget conservatively and maintain detailed spending records throughout the year. All budgets can be accessed inside DSConnect.

Request for Additional Funding

Organizations may request additional Student Activity Fee funding through Office of Student Engagement and Belonging for unplanned opportunities, special initiatives, conferences, guest speakers, or programs that arise after annual budgets have been approved. To request additional funds, your organization must be in good standing, and the requested purchase must go above and beyond the remaining balance in your annual budget account.

Requests for additional funding should:

  • Clearly explain the purpose and impact of the request
  • Include supporting cost documentation and vendor information
  • Demonstrate how the request supports the organization’s mission and student engagement

An organization representative is required to attend the next scheduled RSO Roundtable to deliver a short presentation on the request and answer any questions related to the request. If funds are issued and not used, they will return to the Request for Funding account. 

Sponsorships and Donations

RSOs may seek sponsorships or donations to support organizational initiatives, events, or programming. Sponsorships involving outside businesses or organizations must receive prior approval from the Office of Student Engagement and Belonging before solicitation begins.

Additional agreements or documentation may be required depending on the nature of sponsorship or donation.

Organizational Financial Responsibility

RSOs are responsible for the ethical and appropriate management of all organizational funds. Misuse, mismanagement, or improper handling of organizational finances may result in:

  • Loss of funding privileges
  • Reduction or removal of allocated funds
  • Organizational conduct action
  • Additional institutional sanctions

Organizations should work closely with their advisor and the Office of Student Engagement and Belonging when questions regarding financial procedures arise.