WCA Inclusivity Grant | Request For Proposals
Important Dates Annually
Applications Open March 1
Applications Close March 31
Applicant selection notification mid-April
Overview
What is JEDI? Learn more here from Access Fund.
The Wisconsin Climbers Association (WCA) is excited to offer this grant opportunity. The Inclusivity Grant was developed to back our JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) efforts as we aim to help make a more inclusive space for climbers. This grant will support an underrepresented individual/groups by awarding them up to $1,500 to progress in their climbing.
“Progress in their climbing” is loosely defined. All ideas will be reviewed, but some strong examples would be items such as: covering the costs of a day of guided rock climbing, anchor setting course, certification/clinic/exam fees, trip expenses, festival entry, gear purchase for yourself or a group, or starting an affinity group program.
Application Process
Applicants must complete the application form. All applications must include the following:
Name, address, and contact information
Brief description of what the grant would allow the climber(s) to accomplish.
If applying for a group experience, include a letter of acknowledgement that the group is interested in the experience.
Estimated costs (provided as an itemized list)
Brief description of your climbing experience. All experience levels are encouraged to apply.
Eligibility/Selection Considerations
The WCA Inclusivity Grant is open to all applicants, but intended for underrepresented climbers/groups. This may include, but is not limited to the following:
BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People Of Color)
FTW (Femme/Trans/Women)
Individuals with disabilities
LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Pansexual, Transgender, Genderqueer, Queer, Intersexed, Agender/Asexual/Ally)
AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islanders)
Review Process
After the application deadline, the WCA Inclusivity Grant Committee (two WCA Board Members and one WCA public member) will review and score applications based on the following criteria before submitting funding recommendations to the full WCA Board: Demonstrated need for a project, value to the climbing community, reasonable estimated costs, the scale and uniqueness of the project.
A quorum of the WCA Board will then make the final decision on which project(s) to fund based on the same criteria used by the WCA Inclusivity Grant Committee. The award may be less than the amount requested in the grant application.
Application Deadline
The Inclusivity Grant Committee and WCA Board will review applications and make a final decision by mid-April.
Grant Requirements
A post-grant report after the project or opportunity is completed. This includes a summary of expenses (including receipts), a brief description of what the grant was used for, and what individuals, groups or properties were impacted by these funds. Photos encouraged!
Projects should occur within a calendar year of the award. If you need accommodation with timing, please note that in your proposal and why.
If the project is cancelled, all funds must be returned to the WCA in full. If your project changes from what was proposed and awarded funds for, please contact the WCA immediately before proceeding to spend funds. Projects that deviate from the originally proposed and funded work may be required to return funds if they no longer meet WCA grant criteria. Funds must be used in the fiscal year for which they were awarded.
All grant recipients are extensions of the WCA during their project duration. Positive outdoor practices including Leave No Trace, respecting climbing and property access, and being stewards of the Wisconsin climbing community in line with the WCA mission are essential.