Finance

Sports And Society Funding

» JCP Funding

» Society Funding

» Funding Pools Available

» Allocation Process

» FAQs

JCP Funding

The JPC is no longer funded through GAC. Instead at the end of Lent term the JPC treasurer agrees a budget with college for the next academic year. The outline of the 20/21 budget with comments can be found here.

Society Funding

Reimbursement

Funding cycles start Week 5 Michaelmas and money can be claimed until the end of Michaelmas the next year. If money is not claimed by then, it will be lost.

If you have questions, please see the FAQs down below. Contact the treasurer at jp-treasurer@pem.cam.ac.uk if you’re still unsure!

Funding Pools Available

The ‘GAC’

Pembroke’s societies are provided with a pool of money called the GAC (General Amenities Committee) fund -this is affectionately pronounced ‘gack’. The pool is intended to cover costs which are unreasonable for students themselves to pay – for example, league entry fees or essential equipment.

At the start of the academic year, all societies send an application for GAC funding to the JPC Treasurer, based how much they expect to need. Once the allocation is set, those societies can fill in a form to request reimbursement for their expenses in the form of a cheque. There is also a sum of about £750 set aside for new clubs which might form during the year.
The Peter May Fund
The Peter May fund is a separate pool of money, which:

  • Allows sports clubs to purchase equipment, such as tennis rackets or rugby balls.
  • Covers half the cost of sports equipment and transport for individuals playing sport at a high level. (See here)

The first of these is allocated during the GAC process above, giving an additional pool to sports societies of approximately £1k. Reimbursement for such expenses is acquired by filling the same form as for the GAC, but instead of a cheque, the money is bank transferred. There’s no need to do anything special during the funding application process, but it will be noted in the final allocation if something comes under Peter May.
Other Funds
There are many other awards and grants available from the College, but this is beyond the scope of the JPC. See the Pembroke website for more information.

Allocation Process

Submitting a Request

In the first weekend of Week 1 of Michaelmas, an application form will be emailed to all undergraduates by the JPC Treasurer. Fill this in, considering all items of expenditure your society will have. Note that not all items may be approved, and some items may be given partial funding. A given society’s budget is unlikely to change drastically from previous years without good reason.

The following will be considered in the approval process:

  • Necessity of the expenses, and whether the activities would be inaccessible without funding (is it unreasonable for students to cover it?)
  • Potential impact of expenses (e.g. how many students will benefit?)
  • Expenditure in recent years (how much was allocated, and how much of that was spent?)
  • Current assets (societies should not be making profit from GAC or students)
  • Relationship to Pembroke (societies that are not internal to Pembroke College, or for which Pembroke is not a key player, will be disfavoured)
  • Note that some items, like cuppers fees, will always be granted

Approval

Toward the end of October, the JPC Treasurer will provide a provisional allocation. There will be an open JPC meeting in which all undergraduates may voice their opinions. After this, the allocation will be finalised by the College’s Finance Manager.

Frequently Asked Questions / Frequently Exclaimed Exclamations

What can I use instead of a receipt to provide evidence of a purchase?

In approximately descending order of preference, you can provide any of the following:

  • Original receipt/photo of receipt
  • PDF/image of email confirmation
  • A statement signed by relevant parties (e.g. for referee fees)
  • A screenshot/image of the purchase on your bank statement

If you have none of the above, please contact the JPC Treasurer. An exception is for kit washing costs: no receipt need be provided; please instead supply a breakdown of individual wash costs and dates.

Am I allowed to deviate from my precise GAC allocation?

Within reason, yes. However, for anything nontrivial, you must notify the JPC Treasurer before you do this, or there is no guarantee you will be reimbursed.
I need more money than I was allocated! What can I do?
Don’t panic! There is almost always GAC money left unspent at the end of the year, whether from the new club fund or due to societies not using their full allocations. Email the JPC Treasurer with your situation, and they will either:

  • Agree to allocate you a portion of the remaining funds at the end of the year (note that there is a small possibility you will not be reimbursed)
    OR
  • Immediately allocate you a portion of the new club fund, if the situation is considered to call for it.

Otherwise, you will unfortunately have to find alternative funding or make cuts in other areas of your allocation.
I want to start up a new club but missed the funding deadline. What can I do?
That’s precisely what the New Club Fund is for! Please contact the JPC Treasurer with your club idea and projected costs.
I haven’t received my cheque!
If it takes more than two weeks to receive your GAC cheque or Peter May bank transfer, please contact the JPC Treasurer.
I’ve lost my cheque!
Please contact the JPC Treasurer immediately. The cheque will be cancelled and a new one given.