Everyone on campus has struggled at one time or another with feeling lonely or making friends. | More than half of the students (51.5%) in the 2023 National College Health Assessment reported feeling lonely. | Loneliness is complex. It's a factor of the Pandemic, this Era of Uncertainty we are in, and Social Anxiety. |
Feeling connected to other people helps our bodies respond and handle stress. But reaching out can feel scary or awkward at first. | Many people struggle with knowing when to reach out and seek resources, advice, and strategies to make friends. | Showing up at a campus event alone might feel weird. Know others are feeling weird too and waiting for someone to talk to them. |
Be Kind and Smile | 
Take the First Step | 
Say YES! |
Get Involved | 
Take a Chance | 
Be Yourself |
As of 4/7/25, applications are closed for the 2025 Find Your People Grant.
The purpose of the RSO Find Your People Event Grant is to:
- Promote friendship making
- Normalize the uncertainty around making connections
- Provide opportunities for students to have fun and meet others
- Support the intentional design of events to promote connections
This grant is made possible through Student Life.
Here is the criteria for qualification:
- Up to $400 may be requested
- Funds must be used for free, student-oriented, alcohol-free activities
- Events must be open and promoted to all members of the UW community
- Events must include an interactive element so that students can meet on another
- Events must use the Find Your People Event tagline and mark
- Upon approval, events will be listed on the Find Your People calendar
Preference is given to events that:
- That occur in the Wisconsin Union
- That are new programs/initiatives or significant additions to ongoing programs/initiatives
- Application is submitted at least two weeks before the event to give enough time for promotion
- No more than 35% of the grant amount requested is for the cost of food
Funding from the RSO Find Your People Event Grant can be applied to:
- Any expenses paid directly to the Wisconsin Union or any UW campus unit
- Space/room rental
- Equipment rental
- Food
- Internal university expenses can be paid directly, however external expenses will need to be reimbursed
Please include as much detail as possible for describing your proposed event.
To add your event to the Find Your People calendar, you can send the event details to heidi.lang@wisc.edu.
Or, if you are WUD leader or WI Union Program Planner, when editing your event: go to the "Categorization" section and select the "Find Your People" special event, and it will automatically show up here.
Concept
- Promote friendship making
- Normalize the uncertainty around making connections
- Provide opportunities to have fun and meet others
- Intentionally designed events and messaging
Why this is needed
- Almost 40% of college students reported feeling loneliness the previous day
- More than half of the students (51.5%) in the 2023 National College Health Assessment by the American College Health Association, reported feeling lonely
- Rising social anxiety rates contribute to and result from loneliness and can lead to a spiral of isolation. Loneliness is associated with both mental and physical health risks
What is Being Created
- Calendar of “Find Your People” branded events and experiences
- Messaging to students
- An invitation to students emphasizing it is okay to attend alone
How You Can Support
- Submit events and experiences to the “Find Your People” Calendar (by sending event details to heidi.lang@wisc.edu)
- Assist with monthly message creation to students
- Develop talking points for your events
- Use the provided flyer template and/or “Find Your People” circle mark on your promotions