The Billie Achilles Fund

The Bechtel International Center is pleased to be able to provide funding to encourage programming, with an international focus and where the goal is to at bring Stanford affiliates and the surrounding community together. The fund is named after Billie Achilles who was a longtime friend to international students at Stanford.

The purpose of the fund is to provide support for creative programs developed by student organizations. Organizations that are eligible to apply for funds are:

• registered international student organizations at Stanford
• registered Stanford student organizations whose goals include international understanding
• Community Committee for International Students (CCIS)

We hope that this funding will encourage innovative programming by Stanford student organizations and increase contact and understanding between people of different cultural backgrounds. In order to qualify, events must include an intercultural component.

The Achilles fund cannot support:

• events primarily social in nature (such as parties or student group planning meetings etc.)
• the purchase of alcohol.
• events mainly of interest for members of one student association only.

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Frequently asked questions:

• When are applications due?
• How much funding can we apply for?
• Do we need to pay for use of the rooms at the I-Center?
• Who may submit an application?
• What obligations do we have to fulfill if we receive Achilles funding?
• What types of events receive the most funding?
• Can I appeal the amount of funding allocated to our event?
• How do I apply?

 

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When are applications due?

Applications are accepted throughout the quarter. Decisions on what events we fund are made on a rolling basis. It can take up to 8 weeks for the transfer of funds and for that reason applications are ideally submitted at least 8 weeks before the event.

 

 

How much funding can we apply for?

We have a limited amount of funding available per quarter. This means that your chances of receiving funding are better the earlier you apply. You may apply for up to $1000 per event or $3000 per group per year.
NOTE: Events not taking place at the I-Center cannot receive more than $200.

 

Do we need to pay for use of the rooms at the I-Center?

If your event is to be held at the I-Center you will need to submit a room reservation request (if you have not already done so). This will possibly involve a cost. If there is a charge for you to use I-Center rooms we encourage you to include this cost in your Achilles fund application (be sure to list it as a separate item in your budget). Often if we are able to fund your event this amount will be transferred internally to cover the cost of room usage.

 

Who may submit an application?

Applications will only be accepted from the office bearers (President, Financial Officer etc.) of registered student organizations at Stanford or CCIS.

 

What obligations do we have to fulfill if we receive Achilles funding?

 

1. ALL advertising for your event must include the phrase “This event is supported by the Billie Achilles fund and the Bechtel International Center.”
2. Two weeks prior to your event, send a plain text announcement and JPEG flyer for the I-Center “Social mailing list and Facebook page to sbyron@stanford.edu and wendyc@stanford.edu
   • Event flyer
   • Event information– Your event information needs to be expressed as follows:
     • Student Group Name: Make sure to spell out your group's name, as community members may not be familiar with your acronyms
     • Event Name
     • Date of event
     • Time of event
     • Location of event
     • Event purpose/ description - (The Achilles Fund supports events that foster cultural exchange)
     • Free & Open to the public
     • Billie Achilles fund blurb - “This event is supported by the Billie Achilles fund and the Bechtel International Center.”
       

   IMPORTANT: Funds will not be transferred to your account until we have received the information for publicizing your event.

   We will publicize your event on the I-Center 'Social' mailing list (published weekly on Wednesday) that is sent to people (at Stanford and across the local community) who are interested in international events. It will also appear on our Facebook page.
   
   Note: we cannot send attachments to this list. We do not send information about events more than two weeks in advance.
3. Following the completion of the event, a written report (preferably including pictures) must be submitted to Wendy Cardamone, email: wendyc@stanford.edu . This report should also include the number of people who attended.

 

What types of events receive the most funding?

Priority will be given to certain kinds of events in determining funding allocation.

1. Programs that are aimed at including different groups, nationalities and ethnicities

2. Programs that foster dialog during and after the program

3. Programs that would be of interest to our community volunteers

4. Programs that involve cooperation between student organizations

5. Programs that help educate the Stanford community about cultures and countries

 

Can I appeal the amount of funding allocated to our event?

No. Decisions made by the committee assessing Achilles fund applications are final.

 

How do I apply?

 

NOTE: You MUST submit your application at least 8 weeks before your event is to take place. In addition, we need:
• an electronic file in jpeg format only
• a plain text announcement/advertisement for us to post on FACEBOOK and in our weekly 'Social' newsletter.

 

1. Be sure that you have read and understand all the information and terms provided above.
2. Fill out the web form available here
   Note that we are no longer accepting the PDF form.

 

 

 

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