The Green Initiative Fund (TGIF) is UC Berkeley’s Campus Green Fund. TGIF provides funding, via grants, for projects that improve and support UC Berkeley’s campus sustainability efforts. TGIF allocates funds to projects that promote sustainable modes of transportation, increase energy and water efficiency, restore habitat, promote environmental and food justice, and reduce the amount of waste created by UC Berkeley. Portions of the fund also support education & behavior change initiatives, student financial aid (via return to aid), and student internships. All UC Berkeley students, faculty, and staff may submit project proposals, which are selected for funding by the annually-appointed TGIF Committee, consisting of students, faculty, and staff, on which the students have the majority vote.
TGIF offers two annual grant programs. The fall mini-grant program takes place during the fall semester and awards grants up to $5,000 to small projects that must be completed within one year. There is only one application form, and applicants must submit it by the fall grant deadline. The spring grant program gives preference to larger and more complex projects and awards projects greater than $5,000. It is a two-stage application process and occurs during the spring semester. There are 3 deadlines of which to be aware: optional early abstract deadline, final abstract deadline, and final application deadline.
If you are a student and would like to get involved with the decision-making body of TGIF. Our committee consists of two annual student positions. Both these positions obtain a deciding vote during the grant funding process on the committee. These positions include one undergraduate student and one student with a background in environmental justice. The Undergraduate At-Large Representative is only open to undergraduate students via a student at-large application. The Environmental Justice At-Large Representative is open to all undergraduate and graduate students via a student at-large application.
Please check out tgif.berkeley.edu for more information regarding deadlines, applications, past grant recipients, and the voting process. Email tgif_grants@berkeley.edu with any questions or concerns.
If you need additional funding and are looking for other funding opportunities and outlets, please check out this updated spreadsheet!
Examples of TGIF Funded Projects:
