Sept. 14, 2022

The UNT Diamond Eagles are celebrating five years of difference-making at UNT — and they're ready for their next project. The innovative giving society, founded by co-chairs Debbie Smatresk and alumna Dr. Cathy Bryce, pools individual gifts of $1,000 per member to fund projects determined by a majority vote.

Watch the video to see the previous campus projects the group has funded, and then think about a project your area would like to propose. This year they're looking for a project focused on sustaining UNT and keeping our students on track to graduation. The project should be student centered, supportive of innovation or focused on improving the campus experience, and it must be completed or self-sustaining at the end of the funding period.

Proposals may come from any area of campus, but cabinet members are assisting in soliciting proposals from their respective areas, so you may want to touch base with your VP. Just email nicole.sprowl@unt.edu for a proposal packet and send the completed proposal to diamondeagles@unt.edu by Oct. 3. 

The cabinet will review proposals and vote on their top three to five to determine the finalists for consideration at an annual voting event in October. Diamond Eagles members each have one vote for the proposal they prefer, and project finalists will be notified by Oct. 24 if they have been chosen to proceed to the project pitch in-person event, held in November. 

Proposal Requirements
Each proposal should use the proposal template for formatting (email nicole.sprowl@unt.edu to request a proposal packet).

All proposals should include the following information:

  • One thesis sentence summarizing the project and its value to the UNT community
  • A photo representing the project for marketing purposes
  • A designated representative to give a project pitch at the fall voting event, if selected as a finalist 
  • Purpose of the project
  • Outcomes and impact of the project
  • Budget request totaling between $60,000 and $80,000, including itemization of how funds will be utilized
  • Explanation of how the project will be self-sustaining after the initial funding is received
  • Overview of stewardship plan to thank donors if your project is selected
  • Submit about a 30-second video elevator pitch including: thesis sentence, purpose of project, outcomes and impact of the project
Top