District I Venture Fund

What is the Venture Fund?

The Venture Fund is a source of financial support for new and innovative programming focused on professional development and networking for and among members of CASE District I. The Fund is intended to support special initiatives and programs not already funded by the District Cabinet and the District’s annual operating budget.

The Venture Fund is not a resource to pay registration fees for existing programs or for participation in a program attended by just one District I  member.

How much funding is available via the Venture Fund?

Grant amounts awarded may vary upon a review of the applications received by the selection committee but typically range from $500 to $3,000. The committee may fully or partially fund selected grants up to the limit of $3,000.

What are the criteria for applications to the Venture Fund?

Members from all CASE District I institutions may apply for support from the Venture Fund. All applications will be given thorough consideration, with preference given to those proposals that include the following elements:

  • Demonstrate collaboration between a group of CASE District I members/institutions in the planning and execution of the proposed program;
  • Demonstrate impact on a number of CASE professionals;
  • Propose a program not already funded by CASE District I;
  • Provide an opportunity for the professional development of CASE members;
  • And support traditionally underserved populations in our profession and serve/enhance diversity amongst CASE DI membership

 

 

Applications will be accepted Feb. 8–March 30, 2023. Recipients will be notified by late April. Submit your proposal online.

View past recipients > 
 

What is the application process and deadline for a grant submission to the Venture Fund?

  1. Complete and submit the application by the deadline. Applications must also include a budget, with preference given to well-developed budget forecasts.
  2. The District I Venture Fund Committee reviews applications and recommends which proposals should be funded to the DI Cabinet for final funding approval.
  3. Grant recipients are notified of their award. Those not selected for funding will also be notified.
  4. The recipient will receive the grant amount at the acceptance of their award.
  5. Grant recipients plan and market their programs independently of CASE. As per the application, grant recipients are required to:
    • Recognize the support from the CASE DI Venture Fund in all marketing materials for this activity.
    • Complete their activity within 12 months of award notification.
    • Provide brief updates every other month leading up to the implementation of their program.
    • Submit a final report on their program within 30 days of the program’s completion.
    • If requested by the Venture Fund Committee, undertake a CASE conference session or roundtable, open webinar to CASE Member Institutions, or similar means of follow-up, as appropriate.

CASE D1 Student and Young Alumni Consortium
$1,000
Boston University
2022

Diverse Professionals in Advancement: Branding and Infrastructure
$3,000
Northeastern University & Harvard Business School
2022
 

Annual Yankee Conference
$3,000
University of New Hampshire
June 23, 2022

The Yankee Conference is a day-long professional development and networking program that strives to bring together the flagship institutions of New England. Our goal is to foster roundtable discussions on best practices, collaboration, and possible partnerships that can enhance our respective alumni relations' efforts.
 

Amplify
$1,000
Dartmouth College, Boston University, and Harvard University
Winter 2020

Amplify is an eight-week program that focuses on individual, leadership, and organizational capacity-building to address issues of gender in the advancement profession.

Engaged women from across CASE DI as Amplify Leads and small group participants. Women learned key concepts and applied them at their place of work through personal reflection, small group discussion, and action-learning assignments.

Thirty diverse women were selected to serve as Amplify Leads. They received training to recruit other Advancement women at their institution, facilitate weekly discussion groups, and support the success of their small group participants.
 

Community College Workshop
$2,300
Mount Wachusett Community College
October 25, 2019

About 50 professionals from 18 community colleges came to Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) for a unique professional development opportunity to share challenges and successes and learn advancement best practices that can be taken home and implemented at our institutions.
 

Diversity and Inclusion in Advancement Meetups
$2,000
Harvard Business School

Hosted two meetups of diverse candidates working at area schools.  
 

Find Your Strengths—Know Your Power 
$1,865
Smith College - Office of Alumnae Relations 
Jan. 8, 2018

Hosted a one-day StrengthsFinder workshop for staff from CASE member institutions. 

Higher Dedication: Developing Alumni Identity in the Student Body
$2,200
American International College    

A one-day program geared at teaching professionals actionable strategies and skills for engaging with rising students and graduating seniors. Explored innovative methods for developing alumni identity while instilling the spirit of stewardship and a passion for lifelong involvement with one’s alma mater.