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Alternative Money for Organizations

What is the Alternative Money for Organizations (AMO) Committee?

The purpose of the AMO committee is to provide financial assistance to student programs, initiatives, and experiences that may not be adequately supported through the traditional Allocations process. Derived from the Student Activities Fund, the AMO Committee distributes approximately $235,000 to student organizations via the Traditions, New Initiatives, and Service Funds.

Student organizations may request funding through supplemental requests. Requests submitted each week by Tuesday at 11:59 PM will be reviewed the following Sunday by the committee.

Funding Opportunities

Traditions Fund

  • The Traditions Fund supports events with a history of more than 3 years, such as Pitt Dance Marathon, Civic Action Week, Greek Sing, and the Steel City Step Show.

  • These events should show a strong history of event success as demonstrated by factors such as, but not limited to, strong attendance and meaningful engagement from the undergraduate community.

  • The organization should demonstrate viability through the ability to plan, execute, and sustain the event over time.

Amount: $135,000

New Initiatives Fund

  • The New Initiatives Fund supports the implementation of new programs that have not been held in the past 5 years at the University of Pittsburgh.

  • New initiative requests shall be evaluated based on their commitment to successful programming, demonstrated through activities including, but not limited to: thorough planning, marketing and advertising, and organizational history of success.

Amount: $50,000

Service Fund

  • The Service Fund supports the programming, operations, and initiatives of student groups with a service-oriented focus that are not typically eligible for funding through the Allocations process.

  • Service requests may show a commitment to service to the University and broader communities.

Amount: $50,000

Additional Information
Funding Policies

Full policies are available via the AMO Manual.

  • Deficit spending, which occurs at the point when the student organization has already expended funds or has become contractually committed to spending funds, shall not be approved.

  • All requests must show documentation. Documentation may include any proof of price from the source, including but not limited to an official quote, an email confirmation, a printout, or a picture of a price from a vendor. Whenever possible, documentation must be contemporary.

  • Requests should be reasonably able to be supported by the Student Activity Fee. The Student Activity Fee should have the reasonable ability to bear the weight of the expense. The request should fit into a stable, consistent pattern of AMO funding.

Requests Not Approved For Funding

Full policies are available via the AMO Manual.

  • Programs that duplicate or compete with specific Pitt Program Council (PPC) events shall not be approved.
  • Programs that are a collaboration with PPC shall not be funded by the AMO Fund for more than 50% of the total cost of the program.
  • The purchase of alcohol, tobacco, and controlled substances shall not be approved.
  • Any expense related to the appearance of any candidate for public office shall not be approved.
  • Expenses for items and services such as supplies, copies, faxes, and mailing that are available via SORC shall not be approved.
  • Expenses related to activities that are not in compliance with the highest standard of University health or safety guidance shall not be approved.
Ready to Submit?

Requests are submitted via Experience Pitt. To submit:

  1. Navigate to your organization’s Experience Pitt page
  2. Go to “Budget”
  3. Select "Oakland FY27 AMO Funds Request"
  4. Click "Create Budget Request", select a request category under "Oakland - AMO Funds", and complete the form.

SUBMIT A REQUEST

Video Submission Tutorial


Trouble watching? Click here to open.

 

Questions?

Contact AMO Committee Chair Rachel Smookler (rms278@pitt.edu) with questions.