"On behalf of the Carver College of Medicine Office of Medical Student Affairs, I want to sincerely thank you for providing funds that allowed our staff to celebrate their efforts over the past academic year.
With your support, we were able to enjoy lunch from Jimmy John’s and participate in team-building activities featuring a Cornhole tournament and a photo challenge! It was a wonderful opportunity to recognize our team’s hard work and strengthen our connections."
Purpose of the Grant
The Staff Appreciation Grant offers financial support to departments or units looking to recognize and appreciate their staff through small events, team-building activities, or recognition items. This program is intended to foster a positive work environment through localized appreciation efforts.
Note: this grant is not intended for campus-wide or Shared Governance events. For those, please visit the Staff Council website)
Eligibility & Timing
Each department or unit is eligible to receive only one grant per fiscal year.
Departments or units that received a grant in the previous fiscal year are not eligible to receive funding in the current fiscal year.
This is a fall-only program; the application window opens October 1 and closes October 24 (subject to extension).
Grant use must occur within the current fiscal year.
Award decisions will be made by December 1, and funds will be transferred to the provided MFK shortly thereafter.
Funding Guidelines
Grants provide up to $10 per staff member, capped at $300 total per application.
Applicants will need to provide the MFK for fund transfer (please list your Business Officer).
Funds may be used for:
Team-building activities
Staff appreciation events
Recognition items (e.g., small gifts, thank-you tokens)
Meals for events
Please see University rules for permitted uses of funding.
Application Requirements
Applicants must provide the following information to be considered:
Brief description of how the funds will be used to appreciate staff.
Itemized budget breakdown, including total cost of event/activity.
Event details, including location and date (if applicable).
Other funding sources, if applicable.
Authorized financial approver for your unit/department
MFK for fund transfer.
Post-Event Reporting Requirement
To help assess the impact of these grants and inform future improvements, recipients will be required to submit a short post-event report including:
A list of attendees
Photos from the event
A brief summary of how the event was received by staff
Important Dates
Opens: Annually on October 1
Closes: Annually on October 24
Photo: UIHC Finance and Accounting Services team using Staff Appreciation Grant funds to support the Ronald McDonald House
Limited Funds Available
See below for Appreciation Event Ideas.
Photo: UIHC Finance and Accounting Services team using Staff Appreciation Grant funds to support the Ronald McDonald House
“Our team used the Staff Appreciation Grant to volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House, and it was such a meaningful experience. It gave us a chance to give back to our community while bonding outside of work. We’re so grateful for the opportunity to support a cause we care about. Thank you to Staff Council for making it possible!”
UI Campus Event Ideas
Offerings from UI Recreational Services.
UI Pentacrest Museums: Tours and Game Nights
Various UI Athletics spaces for rental
Walking / “Destination” Events
Discover Your University tours
Community Event Ideas
Local and state parks
Golf/Mini golf
Laser Tag
Game night/Escape rooms
Cooking/drink mixing classes
Picnics
Dinner events/Happy Hour
Speaker
Sporting events within Iowa (i.e. Kernels, Xtreme Arena)
Movie theater / movie nights
Organized group excursions
Fitness challenges offered outside of the University of Iowa as a part of wellness or campus recreation.
NON-Approved Events
Events in this list will NOT be approved for a Staff Appreciation Grant.
Open water sports (jet skis, boating, etc...)
Hatchet throwing
Paintball
Bungee jumping
Sky diving
Mountaineering
Paragliding
Scuba Diving
Professional Sports Events – NBA, MLB, NFL, etc.