Cultural Engagement Fund

The Cultural Engagement Fund, formerly known as the University/Cultural Fund (UCF), has its roots in the Cultural Fund established in 2001 by President Nannerl O. Keohane to support student organizations with a rich history of cultural programming at Duke. 

The fund has historically provided consistent support for long-standing signature programs that contribute to an inclusive campus environment and deepen students’ understanding of cultural diversity. 

As Duke's student community and campus environment continue to evolve, the Cultural Engagement Fund recognizes that cultural engagement can take many forms. In addition to sustaining significant cultural traditions, the CEF seeks to encourage programs that create new relationships, bring communities together, explore the intersections among identities and experiences, and provide opportunities for students to learn with and from one another. 

The CEF therefore seeks to balance continuity and collaboration: sustaining meaningful cultural traditions while encouraging student organizations to imagine programs that deepen engagement across communities. 

Student organizations applying for CEF funding must: 

• Be formally recognized or chartered by Duke University; 

• Have an assigned fund code or account issued by Student Affairs; and 

• Primarily benefit undergraduate students. 

Student organizations must also complete the required financial training through Duke Groups before accessing the CEF application. 

The CEF application will typically be available twice each academic year: once during the Fall semester and once during the Spring semester. 

While eligible organizations may submit a variety of proposals, priority consideration will be given to programs that demonstrate strong alignment with the purpose and values of the Cultural Engagement Fund. 

1. Collaborative Programs 

• The CEF strongly encourages programs developed in partnership among multiple student organizations. 
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• Partnerships should be meaningful rather than simply financial or promotional. Strong collaborative proposals demonstrate how participating organizations have contributed to the development, implementation, and/or evaluation of the program. 
• Particular consideration may be given to collaborations among organizations that bring together students across cultural, racial, ethnic, national, religious, linguistic, socioeconomic, gender, or other lived experiences. 

2. Intersectional Cultural Engagement 

• The CEF encourages programs that recognize that students and communities hold multiple, interconnected identities. 
• Programs may explore shared experiences, differences within and across communities, histories of solidarity, cultural exchange, contemporary issues, or other opportunities that help students develop a more complex understanding of themselves and others. 

3. Signature Cultural Programs 

• The CEF remains committed to supporting long-standing cultural programs and traditions that have contributed meaningfully to the Duke community. 
• Organizations seeking continued support for signature programs should demonstrate how the program continues to serve students, respond to the current campus environment, and contribute to cultural learning, community-building, or engagement. 

4. New and Emerging Partnerships 

• Student organizations are also encouraged to propose new programs that build relationships among organizations or communities that have not traditionally worked together. 
• CEF funding can provide organizations with an opportunity to pilot collaborative ideas, establish new traditions, or respond thoughtfully to emerging student needs. 

Programs supported through the Cultural Engagement Fund may include, but are not limited to: 

• Arts and Cultural Expression 

• Performances, exhibitions, showcases, storytelling, cultural celebrations, and other artistic programs that provide opportunities for cultural expression, learning, and engagement. 

• Co-Curricular Education 

• Lectures, panels, symposia, workshops, facilitated conversations, seminars, and other educational experiences that extend learning beyond the classroom. 

• Cultural and Intercultural Engagement 

• Programs that deepen understanding of cultures, communities, identities, histories, and lived experiences while creating opportunities for students to engage across difference. 

• Community-Building and Collective Care 

• Programs that foster connection, belonging, wellness, mutual support, and sustainable relationships within or across communities. 

• Dialogue, Reflection, and Positive Social Change 

• Programs that encourage students to reflect on their experiences, engage thoughtfully with complex issues, learn across differences, and imagine ways of contributing positively to their communities. 

• Duke and Durham Community Engagement 

• Programs developed in partnership with Duke or Durham communities that promote civic engagement, reciprocal relationships, education, or service. 

• Cross-Cultural and Intersectional Collaboration 

• Programs intentionally developed by multiple organizations or communities to explore connections across cultures, identities, histories, or experiences. 

Competitive proposals should clearly explain: 

• Purpose: What is the program intended to accomplish? 

• Community: Who is the program intended to engage or benefit? 

• Connection: How does the program build relationships, community, or cultural understanding? 

• Collaboration: Which organizations or communities are involved, and how are they meaningfully participating? 

• Learning: What do organizers hope participants will experience, consider, understand, or take away? 

• Alignment: How does the program reflect one or more CMA values or goals? 

• Impact: How will organizers know whether the program accomplished what they intended? 

• Stewardship: Is the proposed budget reasonable and connected directly to the goals of the program? 

Applicants are not expected to address every CMA value or funding priority. Rather, proposals should demonstrate a clear and intentional connection between the program, its participants, and the purpose of the Cultural Engagement Fund. 

The primary purpose of the Cultural Engagement Fund is to support programs and experiences that create opportunities for broader undergraduate student engagement at Duke. 

For this reason, student organization conferences and individual professional development opportunities are not a primary funding priority of the CEF. 

Limited conference support may be considered when an organization can demonstrate that participation will directly strengthen its ability to provide cultural programming, community engagement, or educational opportunities for the broader Duke undergraduate community. 

When conference funding is available: 

• An undergraduate student organization may receive CEF conference support for no more than one professional conference per academic year; 

• Organizations should explain how knowledge or resources gained through the conference will be shared with or benefit the broader Duke community. 

Conference funding requests should be directed to culturalengagementfund@duke.edu. 

CEF funds may not be used for: 

• Events supporting political candidates; 

• Transfers of funds to other student organizations; 

• Transfers of funds to campus or academic departments; 

• Alcohol or illegal items; 

• Apparel, gifts, or giveaways; 

• Scholarships or staff, faculty, or student salaries; 

• Items intended for personal use; 

• Personal care or health items; 

• Selective Living Group or Greek organization dues; 

• Events occurring during University holidays; 

• Events occurring during designated examination periods; 

• Events occurring during the summer; or 

• Expenses that are primarily promotional when free or low-cost marketing options are reasonably available. 

Additional restrictions may apply based on Duke University and Student Affairs financial policies. 

• Funding decisions are made at the discretion of the CEF review committee based on available resources, program alignment, demonstrated need, and the overall pool of applications. 

• Priority may be given to proposals demonstrating meaningful collaboration, cultural or intercultural learning, broad student benefit, and alignment with CMA values and goals. 

• Funding approval applies only to the program and expenses described in the approved application. 

• Funds approved for one program may not be transferred to another program without authorization. 

• Unused funds will be returned to the appropriate University account at the end of the applicable funding period. 

• Application deadlines are firm. Extensions will not ordinarily be provided. 

• CEF funding may not be used for reservations at the J.B. Duke Hotel, Washington Duke Inn, and/or The Cookery unless an exception is explicitly approved in advance. 

• Receipt of funding in a previous year does not guarantee funding at the same level in future funding cycles. 

• Organizations receiving recurring support for signature programs may be asked to demonstrate how the program continues to advance the purpose and priorities of the Cultural Engagement Fund. 

Questions about the Cultural Engagement Fund may be directed to culturalengagementfund@duke.edu.