Local Section Member Engagement and EnhancemenT (LS-MEET) Grant Program

The Local Section Member Engagement (LS-MEET) Grant Program, provided by the American Chemical Society, aims to enhance community engagement within local sections. With a funding cap of $2,000, this program supports initiatives that attract new members and strengthen existing communities. Eligible projects may include innovative technology use, targeted events for underrepresented local chemist groups, and activities that promote interaction among members. Applications should align with local section goals and detail specific budgetary needs.

Purpose
The Local Section Member Engagement LS-MEET grant program aims to strengthen and build community in Local Sections of the American Chemical Society. This grant offers funding of up to $2,000 for programs that enhance recruitment efforts to attract new members and strengthen communities in Local Sections. The funds can be used for various purposes, such as organizing specific events, ongoing programming, and purchasing technology or materials.
New funding opportunities may include events targeted for local chemist communities that are currently not involved in the local section, such as schoolteachers and industrial chemists. Alternatively, the grant can also be used to create additional events that bring Local Section members together beyond programs already funded by LSAC Science Café or IPG.
Budget Guidelines
Maximum funding level: $2,000Funding should focus on methods to better connect local section members and/or increase exposure of potential members in the community to the local section.Applications should include specific budget information about the event and/or the proposed technology purchase(s).
Specific Budget Guidelines
Local Sections are encouraged to keep food expenses under 20% and venue rental costs under 25% of the total amount requested from the Committee on Local Section Activities.Alcohol may be funded if central to the event i.e. tasting at a brewery.Memberships to ACS or discount to membership as part of the event is allowed up to 25% of the total budget. In the case of paying for standard or premium ACS memberships, these should be offered to only a select number of potential new members at an event and offering discounts to more potential members may be a better use of funds.Giveaways such as ACS merchandise is permitted but cannot exceed 25% of the total funding request.Pass through donations example would include using grant funding to purchase a product to be gifted to another individual organization such as to a local library or university.

Eligibility

Projects which incorporate innovative use of technology to enhance local section connections are encouraged.As part of the submission, applicants should make clear the target demographic and whether the requested funding is to enhance interactions between current local section members within that demographic and/or increase membership in the local section.Applications should state how the current local section goals and activities are highlighted as part of the funding requestWhere relevant, a project timeline should be submitted based on potential funding being awarded in July of each year.

Ineligibility

Honoraria or stipends cannot be funded under this grant neither nor can pass-through donations to individuals or other organizations.