find what animates you. inspire. learn. be intentional. be genuine. be intense. be obsessed. think & dream astronomically big. 🧠
hi there, i’m hawa 😃! today, i’m excited to announce a one-of-a-kind initiative: the animation fund 💫. the animation fund is a $3500 initiative dedicated to fostering learning, creativity, and genuine connections on college campuses by supporting student-hosted events.
the goal is to cultivate new leaders who promote:
→ a love for learning and sharing knowledge with peers.
→ bringing unique + interesting people together & creating more serendipitous moments.
→ finding joy in thoughtful conversations
→ a love for creating and building new things. less talk, more action!
→ making intentional impact in the world
🌈 motivation
throughout my time in college, i’ve loved being the “connector” student, bringing together interesting people and fostering knowledge exchange. earlier this year, i started working on mosaic moments, aiming to build more harmonious communities. i realized that this vision can’t be achieved alone, so i’m launching this fund to encourage more of you to be the “connectors” in your communities.
college shouldn’t just be about grinding away to land a job. you will never again be surrounded by this many diverse, unique, and interesting people. let’s figure out how to bring more dope people together.
i want you to share your knowledge and passions with each other. use this fund to host events like ice cream socials, road trips, or workshops that encourage learning, creativity, and genuine connections. let’s see cross-domain collaboration, like a biomedical engineer chatting with an art major or a cs student sharing robotics research. connect with peers, support each other’s projects, and create a vibrant community.
i want you to find what truly animates you and meet peers you otherwise wouldn’t have. let’s ditch the major/job superiority complexes and focus on coming together, learning from one another, and making a meaningful impact. what matters is the people we meet and the difference we make together.
let’s all grow and learn together, from each other, and for each other. ♡
📐 eligibility
this fund is open to all undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled at the university of washington, seattle or bothell campuses.individuals (not clubs or orgs) are welcome to apply, as long as the proposed event aligns with the fund's goals of fostering learning, creativity, and genuine connection.
i want to experiment with how far this can go & how magical it can become if it is run solely by individuals and not by established organizations on campus. also, i’m sick & tired of the campus bureaucracy and politics that student orgs have to go through. its annoying.
🌏 how it works
i’m trying to keep it as simple & fun as possible.
application process:
1. students interested in hosting an event can apply by filling out a short form detailing their event idea, its purpose, and a budget breakdown.
2. we will meet for a coffee chat.
3. applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with decisions made within a few days - max 2 weeks.
4. events do not have to be large—small group events where connection can truly be fostered are highly encouraged.
🤯 examples of potential events
these are just examples. i want you to get super creative.
→ knowledge-sharing sessions: host a “lunch & learn” where students from different majors share what they’re working on, or a “lightning talk” series where anyone can give a 5-minute presentation on a topic they’re passionate about.
→ creative workshops: organize a hands-on workshop where students can learn new skills—like coding, painting, or photography—from their peers.
→ artist showcase: bring together artists to showcase their paintings or any other art.
→ social mixers: bring together students from different disciplines through ice cream socials, movie nights, or game nights. add a twist by encouraging everyone to share fun information about their field of study.
→ hackathons & build days: set up a day for students to come together to work on personal projects, startups, or community challenges. provide a space where creativity and innovation can thrive.
→ retreats & road trips: plan a weekend getaway focused on community-building, brainstorming, or simply relaxing and recharging with fellow students.
→ demo days: host a showcase where students can present their projects, research, or artwork to the campus community.
💸 funding
selected hosts/events will be invited to join our discord, meet other hosts, & receive up to $250-$300 in funding (through venmo or cash) to execute their event.
the amount awarded will depend on the scope and potential impact of the event. please be honest and return any unused funds so we can keep putting it back into the fund!
📸 reporting
after the event, recipients are required to submit a brief report or reflection on the event, including photos or videos if possible, to share with the broader community.
i’m ready to back up my words with action. i’ve realized that i can shape the future i want to see—not just through my campus initiatives and actions, but now also through financial support. relying on venture capitalists and school funds was great, but it’s time for me to step up personally, and thankfully, my sign-on bonus is making this possible. alhamdulilah!! 🥹🧠
🔗 applications + hosting
apply to host an event + get funding here: https://forms.gle/CNmbZBozhXu6QmJdA
cheers to the ‘24-’25 year. bismillah 💫
contact
hdram3@uw.edu
theanimationfund24@gmail.com