Tisch Fund
The Tisch Fund for Civic Engagement funds student-led innovative initiatives and events that have a clear connection to civic life. Successful projects are ones that seek to fill gaps students identify around Tufts’ campuses and/or in how Tufts connects with its surrounding communities.
Our mission at the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life is to study and promote the civic and political engagement of young people at Tufts University, in our communities, and in our democracy. Through the Tisch Fund, we support initiatives and projects across Tufts’ diverse campuses and communities to deepen our mission of civic engagement.
We seek Tisch Fund proposals that:
- Demonstrate creativity in addressing issues affecting civic life.
- Include adequate planning, training, and/or preparation for stakeholders (including Tufts students) involved.
- Build connections across disciplines and fields.
- Engage communities within and beyond the Tufts campus in a meaningful and ethical way.
Priority will be given to small-scale, grassroots projects that require seed funding to impact Tufts and our local communities.
Available Funding and Application Timeline
Funding of up to $1,000 is available per project. The Tisch Fund Committee reserves the right to partially fund projects. For more information on requirements and application materials, please read through Tisch Fund: How to Apply.
Applications must be submitted at least 4 weeks in advance of the project or event to be considered for funding. If the project meets selection criteria, the applicants will be invited to meet with Tisch staff to review their proposal. Funding decisions will be released within a week of the proposal meeting.
After acceptance, students are required to schedule a planning meeting with Tisch staff to review feedback from the interview and finalize the planning for the project.
Throughout the application and project process, Tisch College may provide suggestions for outreach, partners, and other event details to support the success of the project.
After the event or project ends, students are required to complete a project report (template available) and submit it to their Tisch staff partner within 2 weeks of project completion.
Previously funded projects include:
Climate Optimism: Illustrating A Future Worth Fighting For hosted by The Interdisciplinary Public Health Association (IPHA)
A public-facing climate optimism event centered on a screening of Waves of Wisdom, a short documentary directed by Bahamian climate advocate Lauren Ritchie, followed by a moderated discussion and facilitated creative workshop. This event focused on reframing climate change conversations through shifting attention from narratives of devastation to the lived knowledge, resilience, and solution-building emerging from Caribbean communities on the frontlines of climate change. Through the creative workshop, attendees reflected on their connections to place, community, and environmental stewardship and considered their roles as future policymakers, practitioners, and advocates in addressing inequities in global systems.
Tufts’ Indigenous Peoples' Day Celebration hosted by The Tufts Indigenous Students Organization
Indigenous Peoples’ Day at Tufts recognizes the importance, resilience, and strength of Indigenous communities, cultures, and knowledge - and of the Indigenous students in higher education. This annual celebration brings awareness to Indigenous presence and to the rich cultures of Tufts’ diverse community. The Tufts community, made up of students, faculty, staff, and families, participated by observing, dancing, celebrating, and learning first-hand about the primary stewards of Turtle Island. Through this celebration, the Tufts Indigenous Students Organization raises awareness of the importance of Indigenous-allyship and solidarity, highlights the growth of Indigenous self-empowerment, and amplifies the needs of Indigenous communities.
Reclaim the Narrative: A POC Affinity Fashion Show hosted by the South Asian Political Action Committee (SAPAC)
The POC-affinity fashion show builds community across cultures at Tufts while uniting to advocate for social issues important to and spaces for people within POC affinity groups. This event supports these groups in finding a sense of belonging, and for those outside these spaces to learn about the diversity of cultures at Tufts. The theme for the 2025-2026 fashion show was Reclaim The Narrative, a reflection on the stories that others tell about marginalized communities and the ways in which people within POC-affinity groups can tell them from their own perspectives
Please refer to the page below for more information on the application process, including evaluation criteria, and to access the application.
Restrictions
The Tisch Fund cannot be used to pay for:
- Events or projects that endorse a political candidate
- Events or projects that promote a political party
- Stipends or gifts
- Conference attendance
- Travel of any kind
- Research (please see research funding available through Tisch College Community Research Center)
- Individual classes and/or program fees
If you already receive funding through Tisch College for a project or initiative, you cannot receive additional funding from the Tisch Fund for that project or initiative. (For example, Tisch Scholars cannot apply for the Tisch Fund to receive additional funding for their projects.)
More Information
Have Questions?
- General Questions and AS&E, Fletcher, and SMFA Students - Contact Malathi Reddy, Program Administrator, Tisch College, Student Programs.
- Medical school and Friedman Students - Contact Kate Eastwood, Administrative Coordinator, TUSM Civic Life and Scholarly Programs.
- Cummings Students - Contact Shelie Wells, Program Administrator for Civic Learning
- Dental Students - Contact Jen Greer-Morrissey, Program Manager of Civic Life, Health Sciences
Tisch Fund Applications
The Tisch Fund Application is now open.