Many Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) conduct fundraising activities as a means for financing RSO operations and events. Below are details on Tulane’s online crowdfunding platform, WaveStarter, that RSOs can utilize for fundraising. Please note that RSOs may not utilize other online fundraising platforms, such as GoFundMe or Venmo, for RSO fundraising activities.
If an RSO is partnering with a non-Tulane organization for fundraising, the RSO may direct people to donate to the organization directly. This can include an online fundraising tool that is managed by the non-Tulane organization.
For questions about fundraising, contact Jane Rushing, LBC Associate Director of Administration and Finance, at rushing@tulane.edu or 504-314-2915.
RSO's can apply to raise money on WaveStarter, Tulane's crowdfunding platform, for projects and initiatives that support the vision, mission, and core values of the university. Check out a few of the 2022-2023 RSO fundraising campaigns below:
- Bone Appetite: Food for Service Dogs in Training
- Fundraiser for the Tulane Public Interest Law Foundation
- Tulane Rowing Fundraiser
- Help the Green Wave Celebrate our Bowl Victory!
WaveStarter is managed by the Office of Advancement, and projects are selected by a committee that includes representatives from Tower and Crescent, Alumni Relations, Student Affairs, and Advancement. WaveStarter projects run for 15 days each. Please read the WaveStarter Crowdfunding Policy for specific guidelines on project eligibility.
WaveStarter project applications are accepted during multiple rounds each school year. Please see the following dates for the fall below:
Fall Cohort #1
Application Deadline: August 5, 2024
Campaigns may launch as early as August 18th or launch as late as September 17th with campaigns ending between September 1st and October 1st.
(All campaigns run for 15 days)
Fall Cohort #2
Application Deadline: October 2, 2024
Campaigns may launch as early as October 14th or launch as late as November 8th with campaigns ending between November 1st and November 22nd.
(All campaigns run for 15 days)
Platform Training and Campaign/Marketing Material due dates will vary depending on the campaign launch date.
Once a project is completed, all funds raised will be transferred to the project team within 8 weeks. Visit our WaveSync page to learn more about the University Crowdfunding Policy and to apply. Please email Jade Foster with any questions.
If a Recognized Student Organization (RSO) receives a donation in the form of check or cash, the following steps should be followed:
- The cash or check must be safeguarded in the receiving office until presented to Gift Accounting within 5 business days.
- A Gift Transmittal Form must be completed. This form is available here.
- Cash gifts must be hand delivered to Gift Accounting at 1555 Poydras Street, Suite 1000.
- Check gifts must be endorsed on the back of the check “For Deposit Only/Tulane University.”
- An email must be sent to tugift@tulane.edu with a copy of the Gift Transmittal Form attached. Email only the form, not the check or other supporting documentation. The subject line should include: Gift Transmittal, Donor Name, and the method of submitting the check to gift accounting:
- Campus Mail: Checks < $500 should be stamped “For Deposit Only/Tulane University” and sent along with a completed Gift Transmittal Form via campus mail to Gift Accounting at 1555 Poydras Street, Suite 1000.
- Hand-delivered: Checks $500 and up should be stamped “For Deposit Only/Tulane University” and be delivered along with a completed Gift Transmittal Form to Gift Accounting at 1555 Poydras Street, Suite 1000. If the office is unoccupied, then hand-delivered checks should be placed in a sealed envelope and inserted into the Gift Accounting secure mailbox in the mailroom on the 10th floor at 1555 Poydras Street.
- Bursar-Uptown OR Bursar-Downtown: If delivering to 1555 Poydras Street is not possible, then the check should be stamped “For Deposit Only/Tulane University” and delivered in a sealed envelope to either the uptown or downtown bursar and placed in the secure Gift Accounting box. The Advancement Office will arrange to pick up checks from the Bursar when notified by your email.
- Campus Mail: Checks < $500 should be stamped “For Deposit Only/Tulane University” and sent along with a completed Gift Transmittal Form via campus mail to Gift Accounting at 1555 Poydras Street, Suite 1000.
- The sent email can be used by the department in place of a log to reconcile departmental budget statements.
Please be sure to endorse the back of each check by either writing or stamping it with “For Deposit Only/Tulane University” before submitting it to Gift Accounting.
If you have any questions regarding this process or if you have any fundraising questions, please feel free to reach out to Gift Accounting at 1-800-933-6886, or tugift@tulane.edu.
