Budget and Funding Guidelines

DormCon maintains a budget in order to help fund events in the dorm community and for operational expenses. We are committed to keeping extraneous costs low in order to maximize the amount of money available for events that enhance the residential experience. As approved by dorm presidents, DormCon receives $10 of house tax from every dorm resident.

In addition, beginning Spring 2026, DormCon is receiving additional semesterly funding to distribute to residence halls for large events from the MIT Division of Student Life, in lieu of (now defunct) LEF/ARCADE grants.¹ This is in recognition of the value that undergraduate residence halls have on the student experience, and is fully distributed directly to dorms every semester based on request. Furthermore, DormCon annually funds campus-wide events such as Campus Preview Weekend (CPW), Residential Exploration (REX), and DormCon Apple Picking, as well as individual dorm events, inter-dorm events, and events sponsored by individual dorm residents.

Funding Guidelines

All funding requests are first reviewed by the DormCon Treasurer, then voted on by the dorm presidents at a general body meeting, and a representative of the group/organization requesting funding may be requested to attend as needed. This is to ensure a spirit of transparency, collaboration, and fiscal responsibility. Any questions should be directed to the DormCon Treasurer by emailing dormcon-treasurer@mit.edu.

These guidelines were last updated on 1/31/2026.

Individual Dorm Events

Events that are sponsored by one dorm and are open and advertised to all undergraduate residents.

Examples

• DTYD
• FredFest
• Baker Piano Drop
• Bad Ideas Weekend
• Next Haunt

Specifications

Events that are to be funded by DormCon must follow certain guidelines.

• All DormCon-funded individual dorm events must be open to all undergraduate dorm residents.
• Events will not be given funding exceeding 50% of the eligible budget for said event
• Line items for publicity, giveaways (besides event food), or alcohol are not eligible for DormCon funding.
• Event leaders are expected to handle EHS and risk management issues for their event.
• DormCon must be listed as a funding source in all advertisements and publicity materials for the event.

Application Deadlines

Applications for event funding must be received by the DormCon treasurer no later than one week before the DormCon general body meeting at which that event is to be discussed. Funding will be transferred into dorm accounts after the Post-Event Report is submitted.

Event Funding Application Form

1. What is your event and how does it involve dorm culture? (100 words minimum)
2. Dorm sponsor (i.e. the dorm involved)
3. Location
4. Date and time
5. Number of people the event can accommodate (at one time and total)
6. Expected attendance (at one time and total)
7. Comprehensive budget of entire event that follows the following guidelines:
   1. Itemized (as much as is reasonable)
   2. Expected alternative/extra funding sources
   3. Expected cover charge/tickets, if applicable. Indicate which items that will be covered by DormCon funding
   4. Do you expect this to be a repeating event?

Post-Event Report

• After the event, you are required to submit a post event report, which should detail final expenses and the number of attendees, as well as any other relevant notes.
• DormCon reserves the right to rescind or reduce funding if this report is not submitted, or if the final reported expenses are significantly different from the budget submitted on the funding application. In such a case, dorm presidents will vote to approve the reduction in funding at the next possible GBM.

Inter-Dorm Events

Events that are sponsored by multiple dorms.

Examples

• Spring Picnic
• Fall Carnival
• Multi-dorm formal

Specifications

Events that are to be funded by DormCon must follow certain guidelines.

• Events will not be given funding exceeding 50% of the eligible budget for said event
• Line items for publicity, giveaways (besides event food), or alcohol are not eligible for DormCon funding.
• Event leaders are expected to handle EHS and risk management issues for their event.
• DormCon must be listed as a funding source in all advertisements and publicity materials for the event.

Application Deadlines

Applications for event funding must be received by the DormCon treasurer no later than one week before the DormCon general body meeting at which that event is to be discussed. Funding will be transferred into dorm accounts after the Post-Event Report is submitted.

Event Funding Application Form

1. What is your event and how does it involve dorm culture? (100 words minimum)
2. Dorm sponsors (i.e. the dorms involved)
3. Location
4. Date and time
5. Number of people the event can accommodate (at one time and total)
6. Expected attendance (at one time and total)
7. Comprehensive budget of entire event that follows the following guidelines:
   1. Itemized (as much as is reasonable)
   2. Expected alternative/extra funding sources
   3. Expected cover charge/tickets, if applicable. Indicate which items that will be covered by DormCon funding
   4. Do you expect this to be a repeating event?

Post-Event Report

• After the event, you are required to submit a post event report, which should detail final expenses and the number of attendees, as well as any other relevant notes.
• DormCon reserves the right to rescind or reduce funding if this report is not submitted, or if the final reported expenses are significantly different from the budget submitted on the funding application. In such a case, dorm presidents will vote to approve the reduction in funding at the next possible GBM.

Resident Events

Events that are sponsored by individual dorm residents and are open and advertised to everyone.

Examples

• A Doctor Who watch party
• RPM study break

Specifications

Events that are to be funded by DormCon must follow certain guidelines.

• All DormCon-funded individual dorm events must be open to all undergraduate dorm residents.
• Events will not be given funding exceeding 50% of the eligible budget for said event
• Line items for publicity, giveaways (besides event food), or alcohol are not eligible for DormCon funding.
• Event leaders are expected to handle EHS and risk management issues for their event.
• DormCon must be listed as a funding source in all advertisements and publicity materials for the event.

Application Deadlines

Applications for event funding must be received by the DormCon treasurer no later than one week before the DormCon general body meeting at which that event is to be discussed. Funding will be transferred into dorm accounts after the Post-Event Report is submitted.

Event Funding Application Form

1. What is your event and how does it involve dorm culture? (100 words minimum)
2. Sponsors (i.e. the dorm residents involved)
3. Location
4. Date and time
5. Number of people the event can accommodate (at one time and total)
6. Expected attendance (at one time and total)
7. Comprehensive budget of entire event that follows the following guidelines:
   1. Itemized (as much as is reasonable)
   2. Expected alternative/extra funding sources
   3. Expected cover charge/tickets, if applicable. Indicate which items that will be covered by DormCon funding
   4. Do you expect this to be a repeating event?

Post-Event Report

• After the event, you are required to submit a post event report, which should detail final expenses and the number of attendees, as well as any other relevant notes.
• DormCon reserves the right to rescind or reduce funding if this report is not submitted, or if the final reported expenses are significantly different from the budget submitted on the funding application. In such a case, dorm presidents will vote to approve the reduction in funding at the next possible GBM.

Non-Event Funds

Funds for the betterment of the residential experience at MIT, but not necessarily for a specific event. May be sponsored either by dorm or individual dorm residents.

Examples

• Laundry pilot programs
• Dorm food pantries
• Facilities repairs
• Mural boards

Specifications

Funds given by DormCon must follow certain guidelines.

• No funding from DormCon may be given such that more than 50% of the budget for said purpose is from DormCon.
• Line items for publicity, giveaways (besides event food), or alcohol are not eligible for DormCon funding.
• DormCon must be listed as a funding source in all advertisements and publicity materials, if applicable.

Application Deadlines

Applications for funding must be received by the DormCon treasurer no later than one week before the DormCon general body meeting before it is to be used. Funding will be transferred into dorm accounts after the Post-Event Report is submitted.

Funding Application Form

1. Detailed purpose of funding
2. How does your request involve dorm culture? (200 words minimum)
3. Sponsors (i.e. the dorms, communities, or residents involved)
4. Comprehensive budget that follows the following guidelines:
   1. Itemized (as much as is reasonable)
   2. Expected alternative/extra funding sources
   3. Do you expect this to be a repeating funding request?

Post-Funding Report

• After the funding is used, you are required to submit a post funding report, which should detail final expenses and any other relevant notes.
• DormCon reserves the right to rescind or reduce funding if this report is not submitted, or if the final reported expenses are significantly different from the budget submitted on the funding application. In such a case, dorm presidents will vote to approve the reduction in funding at the next possible GBM.

Other Funding Sources

note

If you know of other relevant funding sources for residence halls and living groups, let us know!

Other funding sources include:

• Your dorm's house tax
• De Florez Fund for Humor
• Baker Foundation
• Council of the Arts at MIT (CAMIT)
• Weekends@MIT

Footnotes

1. Due to increased funding directly from DSL, residence halls are no longer eligible for SGFC funding (which took over funding from the ASA's LEF/ARCADE grants, UA's FinBoard, and GSC's Funding Board). More information on what led to the creation of the SGFC can be found in the final report of the the Student Organization Working Group. ↩