Extra Funding
The Huang "Fun Fund" was established by board-game designer, puzzle maker, and four-time World Puzzle Champion Wei-Hwa Huang (BS '98) to enhance the student experience by providing support for activities that minimize student stress and maximize well-being through social, relaxing, and fun activities on- or off-campus.
Examples of such activities could include a group yoga class, musical or comedy show, visiting a museum, pizza social, group ice skating, etc.
The fund is open to undergraduate and grad students, with one award per undergrad / grad granted each month in the amount of approximately $150 - $250 per award.
Any student may apply for funding from the Huang "Fun Fund" by submitting the application below. All applicants must follow the following guidelines to receive funding.
- Complete the application and be approved before funding is issued.
- Be an enrolled student in good standing with the Institute.
- Applicant must commit to following all Institute, Procurement, and Student Affairs policies.
- Your activity will need to be registered with the Student Engagement Office if your award is for a group larger than 30 people or takes place more than 30 miles from campus.
- Funding may not be used on alcohol or illegal substances and will not be given retroactively.
- A photo and summary recapping the activity must be submitted to receive the award. Please submit photo/recap here.
Applications will be reviewed on the first Friday of each month and should be submitted by the Thursday before. Decision letters with purchase instructions will be sent to applicants by the second Friday of each month.
If you have any questions, please contact the Student Financial Hub. Please use the Helpdesk to submit a request to purchase or be reimbursed for an item.
Thank you for your interest in the Retreat & Activity Fund. The fund is now closed for the academic year. We invite you to apply for funding in September 2026 for your new academic year events.
The Retreat & Activity Fund (RAF) is an opportunity to engage creativity throughout our community. RAF funding comes from the CAPRA fund for the purpose of a retreat, competition, conference, or similar activity. Funding can be used to build a more effective team; create synergy within a group; discuss issues at a much deeper level; plan for a particular event or activity; or just learn something new about yourself, peers, a certain topic, or even Los Angeles.
Any student organization (Grad or UG) may apply for funding by filling out and submitting the application form. However, the applicant must follow the guidelines below.
- Complete the RAF application and be approved before funding is issued.
- Be an enrolled student, registered club or student group, and/or a House in good standing with the Institute.
- Have an active and confirmed advisor for your student organization.
- Applicant must commit to following all Institute, Procurement, and Student Affair's policies.
- Your activity will need to be registered with the Student Engagement Office.
- Funding may not be used on alcohol or illegal substances.
The Retreat Fund can provide up to $1,500 per group per academic year (while supplies last) for the purposes of a retreat, competition, conference, or similar activity.
Applications will be reviewed on the first Friday of each month. Decision letters with purchase instructions will be sent to applicants by the second Friday of each month. If you have any questions, please contact the Student Financial Hub.
For RAF Purchase or reimbursement requests, please use the Helpdesk to submit a request to purchase or be reimbursed for an item.
Selection criteria and guidelines for use of funds:
- Applicant must be currently enrolled and in good standing at the institute.
- Proposals should demonstrate a significant effort to "increase the quality of student life" and promote interaction between large groups of students. Collaboration among students, faculty, and staff should be encouraged and the results of these efforts should be included in the proposal.
- Equipment funded by the Moore-Hufstedler Fund is Caltech property and must be treated as such by users/borrowers.
- Awards generally will not be recommended to cover items that are typically funded from Caltech's administrative or division budgets.
- All awards must be in accordance with Caltech policies, produces, and in accordance with Caltech's non-profit status.
- Successful applicants will be required to complete an Impact Survey and if requested, an additional detailed financial report/review.
- Acceptance of MHF funding means that one also accepts all the conditions set forth in the award letter from the MHF committee, including following advertising guidelines and submission of an impact survey.
- Failure to adhere to these guidelines may disqualify applicants and the organizations they represent from receiving future MHF funding and may incur additional consequences. Those who do not adhere to the conditions of the award may be considered in violation of the Caltech Honor Code.
- Requests for major events should be submitted in the fall cycle.
George W. Housner Student Discovery Fund Website
Guidelines
- Proposals must come from Caltech undergraduate students, either individual students or groups of students.
- Proposals may be submitted anytime, with funding decisions made four times per year.
- Award decisions will be made by a committee constituted by the Undergraduate Deans. The committee, with the Associate Dean as Chair, will be comprised of five members, including the Associate Dean and at least three undergraduate students and one faculty member apart from the Dean.
- The Fund may not be used to replace existing funding.
After exhausting other internal avenues for funding, corporate sponsorships or funding from non-profits may be an option your club would like to pursue. Prior to reaching out to any company/organization, contact CALE's employer relations team who will help you through the process. You can write to [email protected] or stop by CALE during normal opening hours.
It's important to start the process early, ideally several months in advance of your event or activity. CALE's employer relations team can help you identify a fundraising strategy, put you in touch with responsible, vetted employers and companies, and work with you to determine which industries to reach out to, relevant alumni to connect with, and which companies have active, working relationships with Caltech.
Guide to Outside Organization (Companies and Nonprofit) Funding for Clubs
Got a vision for a new House tradition, or looking to fund an existing one?
This fund is designed to support both brand-new concepts and the long-standing traditions that define your House's unique spirit. Please note that this funding is not guaranteed and should not be added to your House's budget until you receive confirmation of funding.
How the Funding Works:
- First-Come, First-Served: We operate on a rolling basis. Once the annual budget is allocated, the vault closes for the year—so get your proposals in early!
- The Eight-House Rotation: To ensure fairness, the fund follows a full-circle reset. After a House receives funding, they step back until all eight Houses have received their share.
- The Great Reset: Once the eighth and final House has successfully funded their event, the cycle resets, and the race for the next round of funding begins anew.
Don't let your House's next great legacy—or its favorite annual bash—sit on the drawing board. Gather your House mates, draft your pitch, and secure your spot in the cycle!