Personal Funds

If you represent either a University of Cincinnati college or registered student organization and are paying with personal funds (such as crowd funding or non-UC held bank account), your group may be eligible for a sale with university licensee Club Colors. Please follow the steps below and submit a Club Colors Inquiry Form.

1. Begin gathering information and ideas.  If you are ordering for a student group, please refer to Licensing and RSOs prior to starting this process. Think about styles of apparel & designs for the apparel. New groups will typically be capped at either 1 or 2 items depending on group size. You should also have the following information: 
   1. Number of people in your group/organization
   2. Store marketing plan
   3. (Recommended) Timeline of the store opening and/or desired in-hands date
      1.    We recommend submitting the form at least one month prior to desired sale opening, or a month and a half in advance of desired in-hands date.
   4. Where you would like the items shipped (if not doing individual shipping)
   5. Idea for 1-2 products
      1. Artwork must include 'University of Cincinnati,' the institutional mark, or an approved lockup
      2. If RSO, RSO rules about use of brand apply and the full RSO name or CSI approved nickname must be present
      3. Patches, stickers, and products from unlicensed retailer brands are outside the scope of this program
2. Seek permission from CSI or Dean’s Office prior to form submission
   1. If you are a registered student organization, you will need to complete these three forms prior to use of the University's brand on any products.
   2. If you are seeking approval for a college level sale, please reach out to your Dean’s office to obtain permission. 
3. Fill out the Club Colors Inquiry Form (above).
4. Once we have all of the information, looped in any required parties for review, and approved your college/RSO's sale we will share the submission approval to Club Colors along with your contact information. Club Colors will reach out directly, once approved, to help with the designs (if needed) and take care of setting up the sale.
5. While Club Colors is putting together your sale, work on finalizing plans to market the sale (social media, emails, etc.).
6. Club Colors will send over a link to your store once they have received all licensing approval. Once you receive this link, you can begin promoting your store.
7. If your group opted for bulk shipping, your group will need to organize and distribute items to purchasers once you receive them from Club Colors. 
   1. As a reminder, these products cannot be sold on campus by your RSO or used for fundraising.
8. Club Colors can provide metrics for how well your sale went. Please take time to review how your sale and marketing efforts went. Successful sales (going beyond minimums) can help increase your product potential.

Unlicensed retail brands, patches, and stickers are not approved for these sales.

University departments, offices, and programs are not permitted to sell merchandise to fundraise. This includes merchandise with AND without institutional branding on it. This is due to not having a vending permit and the interference with the University's contract with Follett.

RSOs are not permitted to sell items to raise funds due to the University's Sales and Solicitation Policy. Reasons include not being able to collect or report sales tax, not having a vending permit, and the interference with the University's contract with Follett. If your RSO is in need of funds or looking to raise funds, you should work with the Foundation.

If your RSO wishes to work with any external organizations for sponsorships (any value exchanges between two parties where deliverables are granted), these are not considered gifts and you will need to work with TL&BE. Related information can be found on the sponsorship page of this website.