Sustainability Initiatives Revolving Fund: SIRF

The Sustainability Initiatives Revolving Fund is allocated for students, staff and faculty to finance individual projects that highlight sustainability culture and promote student and employee engagement on campus. When deciding if your idea could be a SIRF grant funded project, consider the following:

• Do you have a department or unit to support, accept or manage the funding?
• Is there an ongoing need for your project?
• What are the key objectives of your project?
• What is the goal of your project and how does it support ASU's existing sustainability goals?

• Who is your audience and who will benefit from this project or event?

   

1. Review the guidelines on this page to ensure that your project does not include prohibited requests (such as food or catering costs exceeding 25% of the requested budget, non-sustainable materials, utensils and dishware).
2. Download and complete the mini grant application form or the Tier One grant application form depending on the level of funding needed for the proposed project.
   1. Mini grant application form.
   2. Tier One grant application form.
3. Download and complete the SIRF Financial Matrix form.
   1. SIRF Financial Matrix form.

4. Email all forms to SIRF using the following template in the subject line

   : last name-proposal title-date (in MM/DD/YY format). ex: Smith - Eco Education Training - 01/15/25 

These grants are intended for peer-to-peer sustainability engagement during Campus Sustainability Month, Earth Day Every Day in April, Sun Devil Athletics Green Games or similar activities and for implementing approved sustainability projects on campus. We seek to support innovative projects or programs that advance sustainability education and push positive behavior change centered around using less, reuse, conservation of resources and equitable practices. 

Mini grant examples include:

• Ditch the Dumpster signage for mattress pad collection for student housing.
• Eco Cinema Café event: Film rental and speaker gifts.
• K-Cup® and Fair Trade coffee project for University Business Services.
• Park(ing) Day event to support safer, greener and more equitable streets for people.
• FABRIC Lunch and Learn tote bags made from repurposed deadstock fabric.

Tier One grants are for projects or events designed to highlight sustainability culture and promote student and employee engagement. 

Tier One grant examples include:

• ASU California Center's new water refill stations provided an opportunity to message ASU's Zero Waste goal through new reusable water bottles for incoming students.
• ASU Supply Chain Management provided reusable K-Cups® to all employees to reduce and remove single-use coffee pods.
• Cool roofing project with community partners at the ASU Polytechnic campus.
• Fashion Forward event focused on fast fashion and the opportunities for sustainable and equitable practices.
• Sun Devil Athletics football Green Game provided 400 Earth Day Every Day T-shirts to all band members.

Grants must support one or more of ASU’s sustainability goals and must be implemented on an ASU campus. A final report must be submitted at the conclusion of your project to be considered for future SIRF grants. SIRF funding will only be considered for the same event or project for two consecutive years. This fund is an opportunity to introduce or jump start a sustainability project, not a long-term source of funding.  

Grants cannot be used for the following:

• Catering or food orders that exceed 25% of your total budget request.
• Compostable utensils, plates or cups for zero-waste events.
• Catering or sustainable food options for events as a sole submission.
• Reusable bottle giveaway as a sole submission.
• Anything made of plastic material for food service or general swag.
• Travel costs.