Staff Guide to Start Something New
What can Start Something New do for you?
The vision of Start Something New is to see InterVarsity students, staff, faculty, alumni and church partners empowered to start new ministries on every corner of every campus.
Start Something New has three resources to offer:
- A website that guides planters through the process of starting something new. This includes tools and resources to help along the way.
- Coaching from the national Coaching Center. This team of veteran staff is available on request through the Start Something New website and represents several regions and ministry contexts.
- Funding for critical steps in the process of starting something new. Up to $4000 is available for each new campus.
Start Something New is for all kinds of plants and replants
You may have questions about who Start Something New is really for and whether or not it's a good fit for your planting context. Maybe you know a student on a new campus who wants to start something new there. Or maybe your chapter wants to reach a new corner of campus. Even if a chapter in your area has fizzled out and you want to replant ministry there, we hope that Start Something New will serve and empower your planting work, whatever your context. Here are a few scenarios that Start Something New can work with and the resources that are available in each scenario:
Plant at a new campus
Start Something New is a great strategy for plants on campuses that currently have no InterVarsity ministry. In these scenarios we have coaching and grant money to help students, staff, and volunteers start new ministries in person or online.
Plant on a new corner of campus
Start Something New also works for planting on a new corner of campus. The simple strategy of gathering as a community of partners to prepare, engaging your networks to encounter Jesus together, and making plans for continued growth applies across campus contexts. We don't have coaching or grants available for this scenario.
Replant a chapter on campus
You can also use Start Something New to replant on a campus where a chapter has fizzled out. The needs in a replanting situation are a lot like those in a new plant (you just start with a few more contacts!) Coaching and grant money are available in scenarios where the previous chapter had fully declined to zero students involved.
FAQ and more information
Have more questions? Check out the following to get answers.
Who can start something new?
Anyone can start something new! Unlike past planting cohorts or programs, Start Something New doesn’t have an extensive application process or “profile” it’s designed for. It’s designed to be done in community with students, alumni, faculty, church partners and volunteers--anyone can be part of it! The resources are designed to walk you through the process, plus you can get as much coaching as you need through our Coaching Center. You will find that the website is often addressed to students as we believe students should be central in starting new things.
How does the funding work for Start Something New?
We have grants available for any new campus plants where there were previously no InterVarsity chapters! You'll need to sign up for coaching because your coach is the one who will initiate grant transfers as you progress through the three phases of Prepare, Engage, and Grow. The image below breaks down the three grants that will be released at specific thresholds: 
What can the money be used for?
It's up to you, but in general, the funds are intended to be used for:
- Travel, food for gatherings, reimbursing students for supplies, gas money, etc.
- Purchasing Start Something New tools and other ministry resources from the staff store
- Student scholarships to conferences in the area.
- Funds can also be designated for staff involved in starting something new. We leave this completely up to the staff and their Area Director.
How are the grants accessed?
After your first coaching appointment you'll get an email with simple instructions for how to set up a Start Something New account for the campus your planting on. When you cross the thresholds mentioned above, your coach will signal a release of funds and the grant will be transferred to your Start Something New account. If a student or volunteer initiates coaching to start something new then the coach will make a connection with the local Area Director (because obviously funds still need to go through InterVarsity accounts).