Well-being Grant

The B-Healthy Well-being Grant supports initiatives that promote health and wellness across the 91ÉçÇø community. Grants are available for initiatives that align with the B-Healthy: Healthy Campus Initiative and support the wellness of current students, faculty, and/or staff.

Well-being Grant overview

  • Up to $500 may be awarded per proposal. Each proposal is reviewed and considered individually.
  • Well-being Grant funding is limited each academic year. Funding is divided between the fall and spring semesters, and applications will not be accepted once available funding has been exhausted.
  • Grants are awarded through a reimbursement process. All approved expenses must be paid up front by the applicant or their University-affiliated organization. Grant funds will be issued after the initiative has taken place and the required Project Evaluation and Financial Report have been completed, submitted, and reviewed.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Well-being Grant:

  • The applicant, department, organization, or group must have an active 91ÉçÇø-affiliated account through either a University State account or a University Foundation account.

  • The initiative must primarily benefit current 91ÉçÇø students, faculty, and/or staff.

  • Initiatives should be free or low cost for all attendees.

  • Funding may not be used to reimburse individuals who do not have an eligible University-affiliated account.

Required per-submission meeting

A Zoom meeting with the Well-being Grant Committee Chair is required before submitting a Well-being Grant application. All committee members can be found on the homepage for the grant.

The meeting will take approximately 20 minutes and is designed to help applicants develop a strong proposal before submitting their application. The meeting will cover:

  • Logistics and expectations for your proposal
  • How the initiative connects to the nine dimensions of wellness
  • Grant policies and requirements
  • Helpful tips for strengthening your application
  • Questions you may want to consider before submitting

Applicants should schedule this meeting before submitting their application through B-Engaged.

Application process

  1. Schedule required meeting. Schedule a 20-minute Zoom meeting with the Well-being Grant Committee Chair to discuss your proposed initiative and review the grant requirements.
  2. Submit application: Applications must be submitted to B-Healthy: Healthy Campus Initiative through the on B-Engaged.
    • Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
    • The Well-being Grant Committee meets monthly to review applications.
    • Applications must be submitted at least 4 weeks before the proposed initiative or event.
    • No funding will be awarded for initiatives that take place before the application has been submitted and reviewed.
    • If applying as a team, one leader must be identified on the application. The team leader will serve as the primary point of contact regarding the grant.
    • Applicants whose proposals are not approved may receive feedback and may revise and resubmit their proposal for consideration at a future date.

  3. Grant Review: The Well-being Grant Committee will review each application individually. If the committee has questions or needs additional information, a designated committee member may contact the applicant or team leader.

    Funding recommendations are made by the HCI Well-being Grant Committee. Final decisions are approved by the University's Chief Health and Wellness Officer or designee.

  4. Compete Initiative: Approved initiatives must be carried out according to the proposal submitted to and approved by the committee. Any significant changes to an approved initiative must be submitted to and approved by the committee in advance. Applicants are responsible for covering all approved expenses upfront.

  5.  Evaluation and Financial Report: A Project Evaluation and Financial Report must be submitted no later than 10 business days after the conclusion of the initiative.

    The Financial Report must document how grant funds were used compared with the financial forecast included in the original application.

    The Committee may request additional documentation, including receipts, invoices, orders, or other supporting materials.

  6.  Reimbursement: Well-being Grant funding will be issued after the event or initiative has occurred and the required Project Evaluation and Financial Report have been completed, submitted, and reviewed.

    Applicants should plan accordingly and ensure that they have access to sufficient funds to cover approved expenses upfront.

Funding priorities and judging criteria

The following areas will be considered when reviewing proposals:

  • Alignment with B-Healthy priorities: The initiative demonstrates a direct connection to one or more objectives outlined in the B-Healthy: Healthy Campus Initiative Strategic Plan.
  • Wellness impact: The initiative makes a meaningful contribution to the wellness of 91ÉçÇø students, faculty, and/or staff.
  • Collaboration: The initiative builds partnerships across campus and/or engages a broad audience.
  • Evaluation and sustainability: The proposal clearly identifies how outcomes will be measured and demonstrates consideration for the initiative's sustainability and potential long-term impact.
  • Quality of proposal: The application provides a clear, thoughtful, and well-developed plan.
  • Primary audience: Current 91ÉçÇø students, faculty, and/or staff are the primary audience and beneficiaries.
  • Accessibility: Initiatives are free or low cost for 91ÉçÇø students.
  • Wellness lens: The initiative promotes student success through wellness, benefits the campus community, and/or contributes to a culture that supports optimal health and well-being.
  • Outcomes: The Project Evaluation demonstrates whether and how the initiative met its intended goals.
  • Funding recommendation: The HCI Well-being Grant Committee makes funding recommendations based on the criteria above. Final funding decisions are approved by the University's Chief Health and Wellness Officer or designee.

Funding policies

  • Well-being Grants may fund up to 75% of the total budget for an event or initiative costing more than $100.
  • For events or initiatives with a total budget of $100 or less, the Well-being Grant may cover the full cost.
  • All approved expenses must be paid upfront by the applicant or their eligible University-affiliated organization.
  • Well-being Grant funds are reimbursed after the initiative has occurred and the required Project Evaluation and Financial Report have been completed, submitted, and reviewed.
  • Funding cannot be used for stipends for 91ÉçÇø students, faculty, or staff.
  • Funding is not intended to support start-up costs or general operating expenses.
  • Recurring or ongoing initiatives must demonstrate continued improvement, impact, or need to remain eligible for future funding.
  • Fundraisers intended to generate revenue for a group or philanthropic cause are not eligible for funding.
  • Funded initiatives must acknowledge the HCI Well-being Grant and B-Healthy on all event advertising and publications.
  • Funding will not be reimbursed to individuals' personal accounts.
  • Grant awards are based solely on the content of the proposal submitted.
  • Any changes to an approved initiative must be submitted to and approved by the HCI Grant Committee in advance.
  • Previous Well-being Grant recipients are not guaranteed future funding. The HCI Grant Committee may limit the number of awards provided to the same individual, department, or organization.
  • Grant funding is limited each academic year. Funding is divided between two semesters, and applications will no longer be accepted once available funds have been exhausted.
  • Failure to comply with Well-being Grant policies, procedures, or the terms of the approved proposal may result in the withholding of reimbursement and/or ineligibility to apply for additional Well-being Grant funding during the remainder of the academic year.

Tips before applying

  • Schedule your required 20-minute meeting first. This meeting is designed to help you understand the process and strengthen your proposal before submission.
  • Review all Well-being Grant policies and requirements before submitting your application.
  • Make sure your organization or department has an eligible University State or Foundation account before applying.
  • Remember that grant funding is provided through reimbursement. You must have the ability to cover approved expenses upfront.
  • Submit your application at least 4 weeks before your proposed initiative. Applying earlier gives the committee more time to review your proposal and allows you to plan accordingly.
  • Applications submitted earlier in the academic year and farther in advance of the proposed initiative may have a greater opportunity for funding consideration.
  • Be specific about your goals, intended audience, wellness impact, budget, and how you will evaluate the initiative.
  • Consider how your initiative connects to the nine dimensions of wellness and be prepared to discuss this during your required pre-submission meeting.

Project Evaluation and Financial Report

All grant recipients must complete a Project Evaluation and Financial Report no later than 10 days after the conclusion of the initiative.

The Project Evaluation should demonstrate how the initiative met its intended goals and identify outcomes, participation, successes, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.

The Financial Report must document how Well-being Grant funds were used compared with the financial forecast submitted in the original application.

The HCI Grant Committee may request additional supporting documentation, including receipts, invoices, orders, or other financial records.

Completion and review of the Project Evaluation and Financial Report are required before grant reimbursement is issued.

HCI Grant Committee

For questions, please contact bhealthy@binghamton.edu 

Erin Moore
Athletics 

Kate Shinko
University Counseling Center 

Jazell Johnson
B-Healthy: Healthy Campus Initiative;
Residential Life 

Diana Castellanos
Office of Talent and Engagement

Awarded Programs and Initiatives

The Career Clothing Closet

The Career Clothing Closet addresses a significant but often overlooked barrier to student well-being by providing free access to professional clothing and essential career items for students preparing for interviews, internships, and the transition into professional life. Housed within the CIW Food Pantry space, the initiative supports students—particularly those who are low-income, first-generation, or from underrepresented backgrounds—who may not have the resources or access to obtain appropriate professional attire. In addition to clothing, the program includes Career Toolkits (e.g., ties, socks, sewing kits, umbrellas), tote bags for discreet and sustainable transport, and expanded storage to support ongoing availability.

Submitted by Tiffany Soto, Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development 

Decision: The committee funded the expenses specifically for the toolkits and secondhand clothing totaling $350.

B-Mindful: A Clean Living Education Initiative

B-Mindful: A Clean Living Education Initiative  is a wellness-focused program designed to educate the 91ÉçÇø community about the benefits of choosing cleaner, safer everyday products for both personal and environmental health.

Submitted by Shannon Murphy, Department of Geography 

Decision: The committee funded the initiative in the amount of $500.

ACS Annual Kickoff

This event supports student development and retention by offering meaningful leadership opportunities through planning and organizing efforts, primarily via the Event Leadership Team, while also welcoming participation from interested students and community members.

Submitted by Keara O’Donnell, 91ÉçÇø student 

Decision: The committee funded the initiative in the amount of $225.

SEEK

SEEK is 91ÉçÇø’s student-run mental health helpline and text line, offering nightly support from 7:00–10:00 p.m.—a time when students often feel most isolated and when many other campus resources are unavailable. The organization requested funding for a two-part initiative: expanding advertising to increase campus awareness of the service and enhancing call handler wellness by creating a more comfortable and therapeutic work environment. Together, these efforts aim to strengthen emotional and social well-being across the student body while supporting the care and sustainability of SEEK’s volunteers.

Submitted by Jonah Fraiman, 91ÉçÇø student 

Decision: The committee funded the expenses designated specifically for marketing and promotion of the text line, totaling $300.