Vice Deans’ Fund for Community Partnerships

The Vice Dean’s Community Partnership Fund is designed to spark collaboration and connection within the Wharton MBA community. By supporting events that cut across clubs and interest groups, the fund encourages students to co-create experiences that transcend traditional boundaries and foster a deeper sense of belonging. The goal is to bring together classmates from diverse backgrounds and passions, creating opportunities for shared discovery, meaningful engagement, and lasting community ties.

Submit Application

ELIGIBILITY

  • Events must be co-hosted by a minimum of two WGA-recognized clubs in good standing.
  • Events must be open to all Wharton MBA students, regardless of club membership.
  • Funding will cover up to 50% of event costs, with a maximum award of $500. The Fund’s contribution may not exceed the co-hosting clubs’ own combined financial contribution to the event.
  • Venue and food expenses are eligible.
  • Alcohol, travel, lodging, and speaker fees are not eligible.
  • All purchases must be made through Penn Approved Vendors.

APPLICATION & TIMING

  • Applications are due monthly. Deadlines: October 2, November 2, and December 18, 2026; and February 2, March 1, and April 2, 2027.
  • Events are reviewed by a committee, with emphasis on cross-community collaboration and creativity.
  • Funding is capped per program, not per club (to prevent duplicate applications)
  • No retroactive funding will be awarded, with one exception: events held in September and early October — prior to the launch of this updated application — may apply for funding retroactively during that window only. No retroactive funding will be considered outside this one-time exception.
  • Requirement to apply no later than 4 weeks before the event. This requirement is waived only for the one-time September 2026 retroactive exception described above.
  • Explicit disqualification for incomplete or late applications.

REQUIREMENTS

PROMOTION & BRANDING

All promotional materials must acknowledge support from the Vice Dean’s Fund.

Co-branding and logo usage (including on social media) will be required once finalized.

POST-EVENT REPORTING

Within two weeks of the event, clubs must submit the following information:

  • Final budget reconciliation
  • Attendance summary
  • Post-event survey
  • Post-event read-out addressing impact, lessons learned, and partnership value (beyond just budget reconciliation and attendance)