About TGIF

The Green Initiative Fund (TGIF) was the first green fee in the UC system. It was created by students in the spring of 2006 with a charge to “reduce the University’s impact on the environment. ” Students voted with an overwhelming majority to pay $3.47 per quarter, contributing approximately $170,000 a year towards TGIF.

Mission Statement

The Green Initiative Fund (TGIF) provides funding for projects which “green” our campus and reduce the University’s impact on the environment. TGIF allocates funds to projects that increase the amount of renewable energy used on campus, increase energy efficiency, and reduce the amount of waste created (GHGs) by our University.  Portions of the fund will support education initiatives, student aid (via return to aid), and internships. TGIF is administered through a student majority governance board.

The following principles shall guide and govern the funding of projects by TGIF:

Guiding Principles

  1. Projects shall reduce UCSB’s impact on the environment.
  2. Projects shall have publicity, education, and outreach components, and student participation is highly encouraged in all projects.
  3. UCSB students, staff, and faculty are able to submit project proposals, as long as they are under the umbrella of a campus unit. Individuals and organizations outside the University are not able to submit project proposals.
  4. TGIF is limited in its funds and will be more likely to support projects which have secured partial funding via other means.
  5. Preference will be given to projects that demonstrate the greatest reduction of UCSB’s greenhouse gas emissions and/or resource usage for the least cost.
  6. Projects shall positively impact both social and environmental sustainability and take into account all impacts.
  7. Preference will be given to projects taking place within the immediate UCSB community, and projects should be accessible to all UCSB students.
  8. Projects should be fiscally sustainable.  The TGIF grant is meant as a one-time award. Projects should be able to stand on their own after receiving a grant and not continue to apply for funds year after year from TGIF.

Guidelines

  1. Projects shall have received all necessary written approval by appropriate campus officials prior to consideration.
  2. All awardees are required to complete a final report and poster. If available, awardees should give a final poster presentation to the TGIF Grants Making Committee.

Bylaws

Download the TGIF Bylaws


TGIF Grant-Making Committee


Winter 2024 Meeting Minutes