FUNDING

While fundraising is a necessary activity for almost every Sigma Tu Delta chapter—and although attending convention may not be the only (or even primary) use of your fundraising energies—the opportunity to attend and present at the convention can generate renewed enthusiasm and creativity for fundraising. Attendees also return home with exciting new ideas and resources for projects and activities that will bring in money for your chapter next year.

Advice from Student Leaders and Convention Planners

Our Student Leaders and convention planners have the following suggestions for obtaining funding for convention travel.

Earn $200 for Your Chapter

  1. Decide who from your chapter will be the official voting delegate (only one per chapter is allowed).
  2. This student member must attend the General Business Meeting & Regional Caucus on Friday (11:00 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.)
  3. Fill out the digital form provided during the meeting and Regional Caucus.
  4. A reimbursement check of $200 ($400 for chapters outside of the continental US) will be mailed shortly after the convention.

Note: Chapters should decide ahead of time whether the funds should be used by the chapter’s student delegate for their expenses or whether the money should be returned to the chapter treasury.

Hold a Common Reader Event

Each Regent offers $100 for chapters in the region that host an activity connected to the Common Reader, When My Brother Was an Aztec. The application for these funds (Regents’ Common Reader Awards) is quick and easy to complete.

Plan Fundraising Events

Annual chapter reports and conversations with past Student Leaders have provided numerous suggestions for effective fundraising events and activities. Check out Chapter Life: Fundraising for ideas.

Submit Your Strongest Works

More than $12,000 will be given in convention awards for the best submitted works. These awards are highly competitive, so students enlist the help of your Chapter Advisors and faculty mentors to select and revise submissions, or take the time as a chapter to help each other revise and polish before submitting.

Apply for Awards, Grants, and Scholarships

Sigma Tau Delta gives away thousands of dollars each year to chapters in service project grants and chapter awards for outstanding chapters and publications.

In addition to the chapter awards and the convention awards, Sigma Tau Delta gives away over $80,000 each year for individual awards and scholarships. Such awards may allow individual students to set aside money for attending the convention. Students should work with their Chapter Advisor and other faculty in revising their applications.

Sell Chapter Merchandise

Many chapters earn funds for convention through the sales of T-shirts and other literary-themed merchandise they have designed and crafted. Chapters may plan to to sign-up for a table to sell merchandise at the convention on Thursday, March 20 and Friday, March 21. Look for an email and sign-up form in January 2025.

Make Hotel Plans Early

Reserve your hotel rooms starting December 2, 2024, and no later than February 15, 2025, and be sure to ask for Sigma Tau Delta’s special convention rates. These rates will be available until our room block is full. Make your reservations early so you can make sure your group gets the rooms you need.

Share a Room; Save BIG

If you have an odd number of people, consider finding roommates from other Sigma Tau Delta chapters. Sharing hotel rooms, whether or not you room with your own chapter members, can cut down on expenses and create lasting friendships. Contact the Central Office if you are looking for a roommate(s).

Use Early Registration Discount

Register before January 30, 2025, to take advantage of the early registration fee.

Explore Travel Options

  • Consider whether the cost of driving as a group is cheaper than flying. Driving may not be the fastest way to travel, but it might make it possible for more of your members to attend the convention.
  • Look at the possibility of traveling by train. If you have the time, you can take the train for almost half the cost of flying. Amtrak offers group rates and student rates.
  • Explore websites devoted to discounted flights (Travelocity.com, Priceline.com, Kayak.com, Expedia.com, CheapAir.com) often and early to find the best prices.

Advice from Chapter Advisors on Seeking Funding

We encourage Chapter Advisors to plan early to 1) solicit travel funds, 2) take advantage of Society discounts and reimbursement opportunities, and 3) explore cost-saving strategies to minimize travel expenses.

Funding Sources

Chapter Advisors can often solicit funds from their own English/related departments, but they might also consider approaching deans or provosts, student government associations, offices in Student Affairs, the Honors College or Program, university foundations, chapter alumni, or the provosts, vice-presidents, or president.

Fundraising Tips

Chapter Advisors and members can find many fundraising tips on our website. Remember to:

  • Ask early! As soon as your students submit papers, try to secure a pledge for support before other organizations request the funds.
  • Be specific! Make an itemized spreadsheet listing the projected costs (e.g., food, lodging, transportation, registration fees, etc.).
  • Divide expenses out per person to help make the amount look more reasonable to administrators and other supporters. They will see how much each person will require to attend the convention.
  • Specifics help sell your request: Make a list of students presenting papers, serving on roundtables, and chairing sessions.
  • Deliver requests in person, take 1-2 chapter leaders along when you make the requests if possible.

Fundraising Blogs

A Superhero Fundraiser Idea
Sweet Fundraising Ideas: Holiday Candy-Grams