For university purposes, fundraising is defined as “any activity in which money is collected on campus.” Even if all you wish to do is break even or recover costs, your activity will be considered fundraising if money is collected. An Application to Raise Funds must be completed and approved for each fundraising activity. Only Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) can fundraise at UC Davis.

The following activities require advance approval from the Center for Student Involvement:

• Charging admission to scheduled events such as speakers, conferences, films, tournaments and dances.
• Collecting donations or sales at meetings, events or MU/Silo outdoor tables (facility or table reservation required).
• The sponsoring group must receive at least 5% of the gross income and a written agreement signed by the vendor and the organization to this effect shall be presented to the Center for Student Involvement.
• Sponsorship of a vendor cannot exceed 7 consecutive days.
• Baked goods must satisfy Bake Sale Guidelines.
• Items sold for commercial use are prohibited on campus. It may be considered only when the item is altered (i.e. flowers with a message; DIY mixed candy package).

The following activities do NOT require advance approval from the Center for Student Involvement:

• Collecting membership dues at a club meeting.
• Applying for campus grants (i.e. Club Finance Council (CFC) and Student Recruitment and Retention Center).
• Concessions coordinated by Student Housing and Dining Services.
• Soliciting donations, gifts or sponsorships off-campus. However, organizations must explicitly not state themselves as representatives of the university. 

Fund Uses

Funds cannot be used for personal gain and should be consistent with the RSO’s purpose. Funds that your group raises may be used to cover costs of the following types of expenses:

• Instructors, speakers and films
• Publicity
• Operational costs, postage, office supplies and AV equipment
• Transportation
• Literature
• Equipment
• Conferences and retreats (funds may be used to send delegates to conferences or to host)
• Facility use fee
• Social activities

Food and Beverage Sales

Food sales are limited to selling baked goods at the tables outside the Memorial Union or Silo with prior approval from the Center for Student Involvement.

Below is a list of bake sale guidelines. Be sure to read the full list of bake sale guidelines. Please note that baked goods purchased and resold are not permitted. 

• Bake goods must be prepared by members of the RSO.
• Baked goods must be individually wrapped.
• Organizers must maintain a list of everyone contributing food items for sale. The list should include each contributor’s name and address and identify the item they contributed.
• A list of ingredients used must be available at the table.
• RSOs cannot sell any food items that must stay hot or cold, are cream-filled or are beverages.

Food booths other than baked goods are limited to Registered Student Organizations that have been approved to participate in special events like Picnic Day or Culture Days. All sales require advance approval by the Center for Student Involvement, Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S), Fire and if applicable, University Dining Services, to determine compliance with regulations. Food preparation must take place in a university-approved kitchen and organizations must attend mandatory training. Requirements for participating in a food booth will be shared by the event organizer. 

Special Fundraising Requirements

Drawings/Raffles

Publicity materials must clearly indicate that no purchase or donation is necessary for participation. Anyone requesting a free raffle ticket must be provided one. Printed tickets must have the organization name and if a dollar amount is listed, the word “donation” must appear.

You cannot sell raffle tickets, but you can suggest a voluntary donation be made.

• State law requires that raffle tickets and raffle contest publicity materials indicate no purchase or donation is necessary or a donation to participate in the contest. Anyone requesting a free raffle ticket must be provided one. Printed tickets must have the name of the organization and, if a dollar amount is listed, the word “donation” must appear.

T-Shirt, Sweatshirt, Cap, Button and Bumper Sticker Sales

• Submit an Application to Raise Funds. You must obtain fundraising approval from the Center for Student Involvement prior to printing the items.
• Your RSOs name must be identified on the items. You may not use the university name, except to describe the location (i.e. “Social Club at UC Davis”).
• The design must be related to the organization’s purpose.
• The names or logos of any sponsors must be incidental in prominence to the organization name and item design.
• To use the UC Davis name or logo, you must comply with the University Trademark Guidelines.

Licensed vendors: All Licensees

• If the event is sponsored by a professional school, the Application to Raise Funds must be signed by the department representative.

Poker Tournaments

Players cannot win any money or prizes, including trophies. Refer to Penal Code 337j(e)(1).