Project Build USASA Grant
Policies and Procedures
Table of Contents
I. INTRODUCTION 1
II. PROJECT BUILD USASA MISSION STATEMENT 1
III. PROJECT BUILD USASA PRIORITIES 1
IV. PROJECT BUILD USASA OBJECTIVES 1
V. GRANT BASIS 2
VI. APPLICATION PROCESS 3
VII. PROCESS OF AWARDING GRANTS 5
VIII. DEFINITIONS 6
I. Introduction
The United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) established the Project Build USASA program to provide its member associations and leagues additional financial resources at the “grassroots” level of the game to increase and enhance membership.
II. Project Build USASA Mission Statement
Project Build USASA seeks to foster competition, create new membership opportunities, and encourage participation in recreational and competitive adult soccer.
III. Project Build USASA Priorities
The priorities of Project Build USASA are as follows and are listed without regard to importance:
A. To support long-term membership
B. To promote membership where none previously existed
C. To encourage re-affiliation by members who are no longer affiliated with USASA
D. To support gender equity
E. To encourage competition under the auspices of USASA
F. To advance programs that will result in increased membership
IV. Project Build USASA Objectives
A. Funding for Project Build USASA was budgeted by USASA to provide a framework to place seed money in the adult soccer community for the purpose of building and improving USASA membership.
B. By providing financial resources at the “grassroots” level of adult soccer, Project Build USASA seeks to:
1. increase overall national adult soccer participation,
2. establish a forum (database) of ideas and programs by USASA members for USASA members to promote and increase membership, and
3. encourage members to add funding or manpower to create more opportunities for the adult soccer player.
V. Grant Basis
A. Project Build USASA awards monetary grants. The awards are based on the documentation provided in the Application and may be based on the amount of matching funds provided by the Applicant.
B. Grants are not for multi-year funding, are not renewable, and are not transferable.
C. Grant Applications either for or from the following will not be accepted:
1. Political campaigns
2. Capital improvements or projects
3. Grants for a profitable entity that will not provide or promote a direct benefit for a non-profit entity
4. Pass-through grants which would result in the funds being granted for the purpose of being granted to another entity
5. Associations or entities that are not members of USASA
6. Foreign projects or individuals
7. Applicants that discriminate either directly or indirectly by race, creed, sex, or nationality
D. Grant Applications are encouraged, but not limited to, proposals that:
1. Attract new members, for example, by conducting a “soccer summit” to attract unaffiliated leagues
2. Solicit organizations promoting indoor or coed soccer
3. Solicit membership of unaffiliated programs, for example, municipal leagues
4. Create promotional projects or events to persuade former USASA members to return to USASA, for example, a mailing to players who are not currently registered or offering reduced membership fees
5. Provide transitional programs from youth soccer to the adult soccer
6. Create programs that are designed for minorities and the economically disadvantaged
E. An Applicant may submit more than one Application in the same Grant year. A separate Application must be made for each Grant project. If multiple Applications are received for the same project, all Applications associated with that project will be rejected.
F. All Applications in their entirety, including submitted information and documents, become the property of USASA.
VI. Application Process
A. Application Submittal
1. Six (6) signed and dated original Application must be submitted.
2. The Application shall be submitted by December 31 of each year. Submittals are to be postmarked no later than December 31. Because original signatures are required of all applicants, faxed or e-mail Applications will not be accepted.
3. Applicants should expect that a condition of a Grant award may require reporting procedures to the Grants Committee or the USASA Board of Directors.
4. The Grants Committee or the USASA Chairman may place other conditions upon a grant award as deemed necessary.
B. Application Review
1. Applications will be reviewed by the Grant Committee Chairman to determine if the Application (a) has been timely received, (b) meets the criteria of a complete Application, and (c) meets the Project Build USASA objectives. The Committee Chairman at his/her discretion may request additional information from the Applicant.
2. The Committee Chairman will inform in writing the USASA Chairman and members of the Grant Committee of the Applications received and the categorization of those Applications.
3. If an Application is rejected, the Committee Chairman will inform in writing the USASA Chairman, the members of the Grant Committee, and the Applicant(s) of the rejected Application of the reason for rejection.
4. The Committee Chairman will forward a copy of acceptable Applications to the members of the Grants Committee for evaluation.
5. A copy of any Application will be provided to elected USASA Executive Board members upon written request.
C. Application Consideration
The Committee Chairman will categorize the Application as one of the following:
1. Acceptable for Consideration
2. Acceptable for Consideration with reservation – confirmation of applicant’s USASA membership required
3. Rejected – not within the parameters of Project Build USASA
4. Rejected – Application incomplete or missing information
5. Rejected – Application not typed as required
6. Rejected – Application not received in a timely manner
7. Rejected – for any failure to meet the requirements as specified in this document or on the Application
D. Application Evaluation
1. Members of the Grants Committee will evaluate the acceptable Applications based on
a) which Applications best meet the Mission Statement of Project Build USASA,
b) which Applications best meet the priorities of USASA,
c) individual merit of the Application, and
d) which Applications include provisions for Applicant funding.
2. Following review of the Applications, the Grants Committee will meet or convene via telephone to evaluate the Applications. During the meeting or telecon, each Application will be considered individually. Each Member will provide his/her reason for approval or disapproval. In the case of approval, the Member will provide the funding amount he/she recommends.
3. Following evaluation, review, and discussion, the Grants Committee will vote on which Applications will be awarded Grants and the amount of the awarded Grant.
VII. Process of Awarding Grants
A. The Grants Committee Chairman in writing will provide notification of the Grant awards to the USASA Chairman and members of the Committee.
B. The Grants Committee Chairman in writing will notify all Applicants regarding the action taken on their Applications.
C. When a Grant is awarded, a Grant Agreement will be issued to the Applicant. The Agreement will include, but is not limited to, the amount of the Grant, the purpose of the Grant, the condition(s) (if any) of the Grant, and the required reporting dates and information (if any) of the Grant.
D. The performance of the conditions of the Grant may be subject to review by the Grants Committee Chairman and the Executive Board of USASA.
E. Other conditions may be established by the Grants Committee or the USASA Executive Board as deemed necessary.
F. USASA reserves the right to amend or otherwise change the form or content of the Application at any time.
VIII. Definitions
A. “USASA” is the legal abbreviation for the United States Adult Soccer Association.
B. “Applicant” shall be any individual or incorporated or unincorporated entity that is a member of the USASA.
C. “Application” refers to the current USASA Grants Application Form and supporting documentation as required, completed by an Applicant and filed in a timely filed. All supporting documentation must be on standard letter size paper (8-1/2” x 11”). Applications must be typed in no less than 10-point font. Handwritten Applications will be rejected. One (1) signed, original Application must be submitted for each Grant request.
D. “Complete Application” requires that the Application (1) is properly dated and signed by the Applicant or the Applicant’s representative, (2) is the original, (3) includes all requested answers to questions and forms, and (4) provides additional documentation as needed.
E. “Filed timely” means that the Application must be postmarked no later than the deadline date. The Application may be submitted either by the US Postal Service or delivery service. In either case, the posting date must be no later than the deadline date.
F. “Grants Committee” is comprised of one representative of each of the four (4) USASA regions and a committee chairman. The USASA Chairman appoints the members and the chairman.
