💰 Society Funding & Resources – AKA “How to Not Go Broke Running Your Society”

 

Let’s be real: running a society without a budget is like trying to throw a party with no snacks. You need funds to make things happen – whether it’s booking a venue, getting equipment, or just printing posters that don’t look like they were made in 2006.

Here’s your no-stress guide to budgeting, funding, and all the helpful stuff you can access as a society leader.

 

🧾 Budgeting 101 – The Basics

 

Money doesn’t magically manage itself. Whether your society has £50 or £500, you need to know:

• How much you’ve got
• What you’re spending it on
• What you need to spend it on

Top tips:

• Plan out your main events and estimate the costs
• Prioritise essentials (like room hire or equipment) over extras (like balloons… unless your society is a balloon society 🎈)
• Track everything in a simple spreadsheet – seriously, it’ll save your life when you need to explain where the money went

 

🏦 How to Access Society Funds

 

Once your society is up and running, you’ll get access to your SU society account. Here’s how it works:

• You don’t get cash – all payments go through the SU finance team
• Fill out a form (you’ll get this at induction) for spending or reimbursements
• Keep those receipts! No receipt = no money back
• Need help? Your Societies Coordinator will know the process inside-out.

 

💌 Donations Template – Make the Ask Easy

 

Trying to get sponsorship or support from a business or alumni? You don’t have to start from scratch.
The SU has a Donations Request Template you can use to:

• Explain who you are
• Ask for a donation, voucher, or item
• Show how the donor will benefit (logo on posters, shoutouts, etc.)

Keep it polite, professional, and clear – and follow up if you don’t hear back!

 

🤝 Working With External Partners – Read This First

 

Got a local business, artist, speaker, or organisation who wants to collaborate? Awesome! Just make sure you:

• Fill out the External Partners Working Form (ask the SU for it)
• Explain the partnership clearly – what they’ll do, what you’ll do
• Get it approved before things go ahead

Why? So the SU can make sure everything’s safe, fair, and above board.

 

📝 Grant Applications – Free Money, Yes Please

 

There are grants available for societies – especially for events, campaigns, or creative projects.

Here’s the deal:

• Keep an eye on deadlines (they’re usually once a term or year)
• Be specific about what the money’s for
• Show how it benefits members or the wider uni community

Pro tip: Start your application early and ask for feedback before you send it in.

 

🧾 Society Expenses – Keep It Legit

 

Just a little reminder: all society spending needs to be:

• Approved (don’t buy first and hope for reimbursement later!)
• Reasonable (use society funds wisely)
• Documented (keep receipts, payment forms, etc.)

Any sketchy or personal spending? Yeah, don’t do it. The SU will notice.

 

📞 Key Contacts – AKA Your Society Lifelines

 

When in doubt, reach out. Here are your go-to people:

• SU Activities Team – for general questions, finance forms, bookings
• Finance Office – for payments, invoices, reimbursements
• Your Society Mentor (if you have one) – for insider tips and experience
• Student Support or EDI Officers – for help making your society more inclusive

You’ll get all the email addresses and office hours at your induction – don’t be afraid to use them!

 

🎓 Training Opportunities – Be a Pro (Or at Least Look Like One)

 

The SU runs training sessions throughout the year on:

• Event planning
• Fundraising
• Leadership
• Inclusion & accessibility
• Social media & promo

Go to them! They’re actually helpful, and you might pick up an idea that makes your next event 10x better.

 

🧠 Mentorship from Established Societies

 

You don’t have to figure it all out alone. Many bigger or older societies are happy to mentor new ones.

That could mean:

• Sharing event ideas
• Helping with funding tips
• Collaborating on something cool

Ask the SU to help match you up, or just reach out to a society you admire and say hi – most are flattered to be asked.

 

🎒 Access to Equipment & Supplies

 

Need a projector? Microphone? Giant Connect 4?

The SU has equipment you can borrow, depending on what you’re planning. Just:

• Check what’s available (ask the Activities Team)
• Book it in advance
• Return it in good condition (please don’t break the speakers 😅)

Some societies also share stuff – another reason to make friends with other groups!

 

💡 Final Tip:

Don’t let money stress you out. With some basic planning, a little effort, and help from the SU, you can make your society dreams happen on a student budget. Use the resources, ask questions, and get creative – you’ve got this 💪