A network of microphilanthropy that supports MIIS students.

Applying for Funding

Monterey Institute students must complete the online application form to feature their project on MontereySTART. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Incomplete applications will not be considered and will be returned to candidates.

Once an application is received, a MontereySTART committee consisting of staff, faculty, and alumni will review the project and make a decision. If the project is accepted, the student(s) will meet with assigned advisors who will help build the project’s website and plan the solicitation and donor stewardship schedules. Funds will be distributed through a reimbursement process when the project is fully funded or in some cases in increments, depending on amount and frequency of funds raised.

Requirements for Participants

MontereySTART participants must:

• be a current MIIS student or a student club/group
• request no more than $2,000 in funds and present a clear budget breakdown with details of how funds will be used
• plan for the project to remain on the site no longer than six months
• meet regularly with their MontereySTART advisors
• update their project pages frequently
• be responsible for promoting the project to personal, professional, and community contacts through email, social media, and other means. Projects will be advertised to MIIS alumni and friends by the MIIS Advancement Office, but the project leaders are primarily responsible for recruiting donors
• perform donor stewardship activities, such as writing thank you messages and providing donors with updates on your project

Projects that do not fulfill these requirements are subject to removal from the MontereySTART site as determined by the MontereySTART committee.

***Once your project is funded, the money will be released to you through a reimbursement process. In most cases, you will be expected to submit receipts for project expenses in order to receive your MontereySTART funds.