CHFA REVENUE GENERATING GRANTS PROGRAM

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The Dean of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts (CHFA), Joel Martin, is pleased to launch the third year of CHFA Visioning Grants. This year's initiative will focus specifically on revenue generating projects and proposals.

The CHFA Revenue Generating Grants Program for 2009-10 seeks proposals for initiatives designed to generate new net revenues to support CHFA departments and programs, faculty and students. This RFP is designed to share some important contact information and models to stimulate the widest possible range of ideas and to provide the necessary details to submit a proposal for consideration. Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis with a series of dates established throughout the year to provide the applicant with workable timetables. (See "Important Due Dates" below.)

Successful proposals will demonstrate:

~ Compatibility with the core program's mission, ideals, and identity

~ Capacity to generate net revenue that can enhance the core program and help it address vital needs

Fuller proposals will include a:

~ Compelling business plan with sufficient detail to justify assumptions related to costs and revenue

~ Confirming example of a comparable program at another institution or in another college that has demonstrated its capacity to generate net revenue, or explanation of why we have a blue sky opportunity to do something new that will generate net revenue.

At this stage, we encourage the widest possible exploration of revenue generating ideas and encourage your brainstorming with CHFA faculty and staff leaders in these areas of revenue generation.

Here are just a few examples of categories and ideas for projects with the potential for generating revenue:

1. New Masters Programs/New Certificate Programs

Proposals can outline a 2-3 year path to profitability, e.g. to grow enrollment sufficient to cover all costs.

CHFA Example: The Architecture program of the Department of Art, Architecture and Art History and the Public History Program of the History Department have collaborated with the Hancock Shaker Village to offer a blended masters program in historical preservation. Professors Marla Miller, Max Page, Steve Schreiber, Bill Oedel or Audrey Altstadt could tell you more about how this program came about and the promise that it holds for generating revenue.

Additional Brainstorming Contacts:

Nigar Khan, Associate Dean, Graduate School - nkhan@grad.umass.edu

Lisa Olstein, Associate Director, MFA Program and the Juniper Initiative, Department of English - olstein@hfa.umass.edu

2. CPE -Continuing and Professional Education

CHFA Example: Philosophy offers 13 courses on-line and uses the revenue to support graduate students.

Additional brainstorming Contact:

Linda Honan - honan@contined.umass.edu

3. Fundraising

Innovative Fundraising ideas will also be considered for possible seed funding or match programs.

Additional brainstorming Contact:

Nora Maroulis, CHFA Director of Development -- maroulis@admin.umass.edu

4. Grant-Writing Support Requests

Your proposal may request funds to develop a specific grant application or a larger project; planning grants for major initiatives that require more study, including writing major grants, drafting new masters programs, or other demanding activities.

Additional brainstorming Contact:

Donna LeCourt, Associate Dean for Faculty Research -- donnal@english.umass.edu

5. Revenue Generating International Programs/International Blended

There are numerous international program opportunities that, while they may provide an excellent teaching and learning experience for our students, also hold the potential for generating some revenues back to the programs

Additional brainstorming Contacts:

Erika Schluntz, International Programs Office - schluntz@ipo.umass.edu

Jenny Spencer, Department of English - jspencer@english.umass.edu

Jen Adams, Department of English - jadams@english.umass.edu

Stephen Forrest, Languages, Literatures and Cultures - sforrest@asianlan.umass.edu

Tony Tuck, Classics Department - atuck@classics.umass.edu

6. Out-of-State student recruitment programs

You may have an idea for developing a strategy for student recruitment, particularly out-of-state students.

CHFA example: Department of Music and Dance

Additional brainstorming Contact:

John Jenkins - Music and Dance -- jenkins@admin.umass.edu

7. Planning Grants

Planning grants are also being supported for major initiatives that require more study, including writing major grants, drafting new masters programs, or other demanding activities.

8. Other Ideas

Lifelong learning niche programs, Alumni Tourism, five-year BA/MA programs, etc.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please submit your application via email with appropriate attachments to visioning@hfa.umass.edu

Please note that you are limited to no more than five (5) pages to describe your proposal for the Review Committee. The completed application will contain the five-page proposal, and a detailed budget projection.

Applications should request funds to accomplish the applicant's goals and be as specific as possible. Partners' commitments must also be documented.

IMPORTANT DUE DATES

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year. Applications received after a listed date will be subject to the next deadline and reviewed accordingly after that date.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Monday, January 25, 2010

Monday, March 1, 2010

Monday, April 5, 2010

NOTIFICATION

As a courtesy, please provide a copy of your initial grant submission to the head/chair of your department and to that of collaborators from other departments.

For more information contact Ron Michaud at visioning@hfa.umass.edu.