EcoFund
The mission of the EcoFund is to promote the design and implementation of campus sustainability initiatives that align with one of Colorado College’s core values, “nurturing a sense of place and an ethic of environmental sustainability," as well as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Funding is provided through a partnership with Bon Appétit and is managed by the Office of Sustainability at Colorado College.
EcoFund is available to enrolled Colorado College students, staff, faculty, and administration. It provides financial support for projects, events, and research. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis during the academic year. Up to $3,000 may be awarded per project. The applicant is responsible for initiating, implementing, and advocating for the project, event, or research.
application process
The Idea
If you have an idea, review the funding guidelines to ensure your project aligns with the goals of the EcoFund before initiating the project. The EcoFund highly recommends contacting the Office of Sustainability at sustainability@coloradocollege.edu before applying for funding. They can provide feedback on your project idea, assess the strength of your application, ask clarifying questions, and answer any inquiries about the EcoFund process.
- Students: Each project must be sponsored by an office or department and supported by a CC faculty, staff, or administrator. The appropriate stakeholder(s) should be informed of any project that may lead to a new program, pilot project, operational change, or new equipment located in their areas of responsibility.
The Application
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis during the academic year and should be submitted at least one month prior to the proposal’s anticipated start date. All applications may be submitted through the EcoFund Summit portal. Each application will include the following information and are required for submission:
- General Information
- Project Description or Research Proposal
- Written Responses (See Written Responses to learn more under More Information)
- Mission Alignment
- Community Engagement
- Educational Impact
- Other Project Benefits
- Estimated Timeline
- Detailed Budget (Find Budget Template to download under More Information)
Review and Feedback
Once submitted, the EcoFund will review your application. The review process may take up to three weeks, so plan accordingly. Once reviewed, the applicant will receive one of three responses:
- Ready for Funding: The application aligns strongly with the EcoFund mission. It is well-thought-out in regards to practicality, clearly communicating the goals of the project. The budget is accurate and reasonable, the timeline is plausible, and there are strong evidence and support for the proposal.
- Next Step: Let’s plan a kickoff meeting!
- Needs Work: The application aligns with the EcoFund mission. There are some questions regarding budget and/or timeline, and we want to review the project with the applicant before making a final decision.
- Next Step: Let’s revisit the application together. There may be a list of questions sent to address concerns.
- Does Not Fit: The application either loosely or does not align with the EcoFund mission. Regardless of the level of detail, the Eco Fund is not the appropriate funding source for this proposal.
Kickoff Meeting
If the application has been approved, a kickoff meeting will be scheduled with the applicant and an Office of Sustainability staff member along with any other necessary persons. The purpose of the meeting is to confirm a mutual understanding in regards to funding, project timeline and completion, communication expectations, and any maintenance.
Follow Up
A final report is asked to be submitted via email within 30 days of completion. It should include:
- A review of measurable impacts, as it benefits CC students and sustainability initiatives on-campus
- Updated budget sheet indicating the actual amount of funding that was spent. If all funds were not spent, an Office of Sustainability staff member will work with the applicant or stakeholder to transfer funds back to the Eco Fund.
- Picture or video of the in-progress or completed proposal. Each project will be highlighted on the Office of Sustainability website with a visual.
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More Information
Project & Event Proposals
Projects and Events should include the following information.
- Purpose: Clearly defined aims of the project or objectives of the event.
- Target Audience: Identify who the project or event is intended for.
- Timeline: Schedule outlining key milestones and deadlines.
- Budget: Detailed financial plan, which would include other sources of funding.
- Format and Logistics: Description of the event or project structure and logistics, including venue, date, time, and required materials.
- Promotion & Marketing: Strategies for marketing the event or promotion of the project either during or after-the-fact.
- Evaluation: Metrics and methods for assessing project outcomes and effectiveness and/or planned assessment of the impact of the event.
Research Proposals
Research should include the following information.
- All applications under Research must be conducted through an official CC department or office. Students must be sponsored by a CC faculty or staff member who will supervise the project and provide guidance.
- The proposal must demonstrate that it has the resources needed to complete the entire project before EcoFund funds are made available. Costs for research can vary widely depending on the type of research, please read through funding restrictions and category allocations.
- A one to two-page research proposal must be submitted with the application. The proposal must include:
- Title
- Introduction
- Objectives
- Methodology
- Timeline
- Budget
- Expected Outcomes
Written Responses
All funding decisions shall be made regarding the projects' ability to meet the following foundations of the EcoFund. These foundations include mission alignment, community engagement, educational impact, and other project benefits.
- Mission Alignment: Funding should support projects that align with the institution’s core values, alignment with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, and on-campus sustainability initiatives.
- Community Engagement: Projects should foster meaningful collaboration between the campus and/or the surrounding community, promoting shared goals and resources. Projects should also include an explanation of how students are directly involved in the project or indirectly engaged in its outcomes.
- Educational Impact: Proposals should demonstrate how a project leads to meaningful educational experiences beyond the application stakeholders, this may include enhanced learning outcomes—both curricular and co-curricular—skill development, and/or student outreach.
- Other Project Benefits: Successful proposals should outline the specific advantages the project will deliver to stakeholders. These project benefits could be financial gains, policy change, long-term viability of the project, improved community resources, access to services, etc.
Funding Restrictions & Budget Template
Please use the following template to itemize a list of anticipated costs. Explore and seek out cost quotes with the necessary parties prior to submitting an EcoFund application.
Funding Restrictions
The EcoFund does not fund the following:
- Funding for club membership, national affiliations, and/or state delegations
- After-the-fact spending, personal reimbursements, and/or repayments of debt
- Donations to organizations or entities on or off campus
- Projects aimed at building retrofits or equipment upgrades
- Funding for the purchase of alcohol, tobacco, or firearms
- Security deposits or any fees incurred due to damage
- Personnel costs: salaries, wages, benefits, and overtime pay
All purchases and expenses must be approved by the EcoFund in the original proposal. Changes in funding must be approved and discussed with the EcoFund before they are made or expenses are incurred.
Other Funding Sources
If you are seeking or have received additional funding, please note that project leader(s) will be responsible for coordinating between all funding sources to ensure that funding is secured and properly recorded.
Funded Projects
Flow Green Day
Flow Green Day
Spring 2023
Project Overview
Flow Green Day on April 24th, 2024, featured interactive educational activities and free menstrual cups for students in celebration of Earth Week. Informational posters covered sustainable menstruation and menstrual cup usage. Around 90 students stopped by the event, with 66 menstrual cups distributed to students, with the remaining donated to Mesa High School and the CC Pantry. Additionally, a portion of the students were also given cup sterilizers, to sustainably sanitize the product.
SDG Alignment
Sabrina Ng '27
Independent Student
Bike To Work Day
Bike to Work Day
Spring 2022
Project Overview
Bike to Work Day aligns with Colorado College’s aim to encourage alternative transportation methods. By encouraging alternative transportation methods, such as biking - we are fostering community between staff and faculty and encouraging people to see that biking is not only more sustainable — it can also be more enjoyable.
SDG Alignment
Cormac McCrimmon '23, Charlie Lynch '23, Nicky Booth '24, & Henry Hodde '24
Office of Sustainability Transportation Team
Llamapalooza Reusable Cups
Llamapalooza Reusable Cups
Spring 2022
Project Overview
By offering reusable cups at Llama for at least 200 students, we could save up to 1,200 plastic cups from entering the bins at Llamapalooza. This is because each student can purchase 6 drinks throughout the festival... that's a lot of cups. If we have the ability to offer a reusable option, the only responsible choice is to do what we can to make that happen. Fewer one-use items being thrown out, the better.
SDG Alignment
Cass Kennemur '22
Campus Activities