INDIVIDUAL & COMMUNITY GRANTS
The UKEDC Individual & Community Grants scheme was created to support our aim of developing a thriving equality dance community. These are open to both members and non-members of the UKEDC.
The individual grant is targeted at our aim of increasing participation in competitions, offering grants of up to £250 to individuals who intend to enter equality dance events. The UKEDC committee decides each year on the number and amounts of grants available, including any specific targets, based on finances and assessment of need.
Dancers at all levels are encouraged to apply and we particularly welcome applications from dancers who are new to competition.
Examples of things that may be applied for are dance lessons, dance shoes, competition entry fees, travel and accommodation for competitions, costumes, medal test fees and so on.
- Applicants shall be at least 16 years of age, live in the UK, work in the UK or represent the UK in dance competitions.
- Dancers of all levels can apply. Newcomers to competing or beginner dancers are particularly encouraged to submit their application, but grants are not restricted to these categories.
- Former applicants may apply again, even if awarded in the past, but priority will be given to those applicants who apply for the first time.
- A detailed case should be submitted demonstrating the need of financial assistance in order to participate in a competition including:
- Detailed cost of what is being applied for
- Reasons why the particular item is required
- Personal circumstances that limit or prohibit self-funding
- Confirmation that the individual can find the balance if the grant does not cover the full amount.
Individuals receiving grants are requested to give permission for the UKEDC to use their name in public announcements including communications to members, social media & the UKEDC website, and if possible, to provide photos or videos of the competition. These are not obligatory requirements and are criteria of being awarded a grant.
Once a grant has been awarded, evidence of the purchase of the item or registration etc should be provided prior to the funds being transferred. In exceptional circumstances, if the applicant is unable to purchase in advance, the committee will consider transferring funds in advance of the purchase
Grant applications are normally invited twice a year, subject to availability of finances. Timelines for applications are set out at the time of announcement, as are expected dates that decisions will be made.
Please fill in our online application form, and please email the treasurer at treasurer@ukedc.org to inform them that an application has been submitted: UKEDC Individual Grant Application
- The UKEDC Individual Grant provides funding for dancers who intend to enter any Equality Dancesport event including, but not limited to events run under UKEDC, ESSDA or similar rules.
- The UKEDC Individual & Community Grants (ICG) Committee shall consist of at least three people drawn from the membership of the UKEDC committee. All three people will be voting members of the ICG Committee. The ICG Committee’s recommendations shall be presented to UKEDC’s Committee for approval. In the event that the members of the ICG Committee are unable to fulfil their committee roles due to conflicts of interest or other circumstances, other members of the UKEDC Committee may be appointed instead.
- Prior to each AGM the UKEDC Committee shall determine the number and value of grants to be available and awarded before 31 December of that year. This shall take into account the surplus/deficit made in the previous year as well as the UKEDC’s balance sheet position. The number and value of the grants shall be announced at the AGM.
- The deadline for submitting an application shall be no earlier than forty-five (45) days after the date of the AGM or any such other date as specified by the ICG committee. All applications must be completed and submitted no later than the deadline announced by the ICG committee. Late applications may be considered under certain circumstances. If there are insufficient applications of an appropriate quality to use all the funding available, the ICG Committee may hold a second round of grant funding applications later in the year.
- Former individual grant (formerly known as scholarships) recipients may apply again, but priority will be given to applicants applying for the first time.
- Applicants must be eligible for Ordinary Membership of the UKEDC and must meet all qualifications for an individual grant as listed on the UKEDC Individual Application Form.
- The Chair of the ICG Committee shall notify each applicant via e-mail in a timely manner that the application has been received and is being considered for approval.
- The Chair will share copies with each member of the ICG Committee within 15 days, asking for a review and recommendation within the next 15 days.
- A simple majority for approval of UKEDC’s Committee is required. Committee Members with conflicts of interest should abstain. Members who abstain or vote ‘no’ are not required to give reasons. Voting must take place at the latest forty-five (45) days after the deadline for applications. Voting may take place either at a UKEDC Committee meeting or via an email vote if no Committee meeting is scheduled within the timeframe for the grant to be awarded.
- Upon completion of the procedure for approval (or disapproval) and verification of available funds, the ICG Committee Chair shall immediately notify each applicant via e-mail.
- Once attendance and participation of the approved applicant at their chosen event has been confirmed, the approved individual grant will be distributed to the applicant by the UKEDC’s Treasurer. If the applicant does not participate in the event specified in their application, the Committee reserves the right to withdraw the grant. Decisions regarding withdrawal of grants shall take into account each applicant’s personal circumstances and the reasons they did not participate in the event as intended.
- The payment of any awarded grant shall be reported by the UKEDC Treasurer and recorded in the Minutes at the following meeting of UKEDC’s Board.
- UKEDC’s Treasurer shall maintain a confidential list of all persons awarded a UKEDC Individual Grant, including the name of each applicant and the date of the event.
Community grants of up to £250 are available in order to support events and projects that help promote a thriving equality dancing community. These can be applied for at any time, but ideally at least 90 days before the event is to be held. We will do our best to consider applications made with shorter notice, but we cannot guarantee that we will do so. Examples of things we have previously awarded grants for are venue hire and hire, replacement or repair of equipment. This list is not exhaustive.
- Applicants shall be at least 16 years of age, live in the UK, work in the UK or represent the UK in dance context.
- The proposed event must be in alignment with the UKEDC’s objects as set out in the Constitution and may:
- Support functions and venues for social equality dancing.
- Provide a resource for equality dancers.
- Aim to increase the availability and standard of equality dancing
- Encourage the inclusion of dancers from diverse backgrounds regarding race, ethnicity, gender, age, [dis]ability, gender identity and/or expression.
- We particularly encourage applications that support development of equality dancing outside London.
- A detailed case must be submitted demonstrating the need of financial assistance in order to put on the event including:
- Detailed costs of what is being applied for and how it supports a thriving equality dance culture in the UK.
- Reasons why the particular item is required
- Circumstances that limit or prohibit self-funding
- Confirmation that the applicant can find the balance if the grant does not cover the full amount.
- Description of future plans and sustainability, or if not, reasons why support for a one-off event is justified.
In an effort to foster growth in our same-sex and equality dance community in both social events and competitions, the UKEDC offers organisations, individuals and community leaders the opportunity to apply for financial assistance to help produce specific equality dance related activities.
Prior to each AGM, the UKEDC Committee will decide, based on available funds and strategic priorities, how many community grants will be available and in what amounts to applicants who can demonstrate that the proposed activity will advance the UKEDC’s mission of promoting and expanding social and competitive equality dancing.
This information will be announced at the AGM, published on the UKEDC website, and emailed to all existing UKEDC members.
The UKEDC reserves the right to withdraw the grant and request the return of any amounts already paid out if the activity is cancelled or does not reasonably meet all the criteria the applicant lists on the application. Each case will however be judged on its individual merits including consideration of any factors beyond the applicant’s control.
If you are applying for a community grant, please make sure that all contact information you provide on the application form is accurate and up to date so that the UKEDC Individual & Community Grant Approval Committee may contact the applicant at any time during the selection process. The Committee reserves the right to request further information on an applicant’s financial situation if this is deemed necessary to assess the application appropriately. Any changes in circumstances that affect eligibility for a grant must be reported immediately to the Chair of UKEDC’s Grant Panel.
Please fill in our online application form, and please email the treasurer at treasurer@ukedc.org to inform them that an application has been submitted: UKEDC Community Grant Application.
If you have any questions about either the individual or community grants, please contact, in the first instance, Tessa at treasurer@ukedc.org.