Grant Application Process
Grant Applications
The following is an overview of the Diversity Saves Grant process, to make the application and evaluation process more transparent to prospective applicants.
Diversity Saves offers grants to creators from marginalized communities to support projects that bring a positive impact to the TTRPG space and foster diverse viewpoints and voices. Diversity Saves Grants are funded entirely by community donations and fundraising efforts. The number of grants and the amount that we can offer varies as a result; in our 2023 grant cycle we were able to award 4 grants of $750 each, and in our 2024 grant cycle we were able to award 6 grants of $750 each. We strive to ensure that each individual grant award amount will always be at least $500.
The Diversity Saves Grant application process begins with filling out a Short-Form Application, which is available year-round on our website (https://diversitysaves.org/short-grant-application/). The Short-Form Application is a way to introduce yourself and your project in an informal way. While applications can fill out the Short-Form Application at any time, these applications will not be reviewed until after Diversity Saves opens up a grant cycle. Historically we have opened one grant cycle per year, for three or four months at a time.
During an active grant cycle, Diversity Saves board members will review Short-Form Applications as they are submitted and approve them with a simple yes/no majority approval vote. Applicants will be contacted within two weeks of submitting the Short-Form application (if they applied while the grant cycle is open) or within two weeks of the opening of the grant cycle (if they applied between grant cycles) and will informed whether their application is approved, whether they need to resubmit an application with more information, or whether their application is denied.
If a Short-Form Application is approved, the applicant will be invited to complete a Long-Form Application to provide more details about their project. These applications must be submitted before the close of the grant cycle application period in order to be eligible for evaluation during that grant cycle. (If the applicant does not complete the Long-Form Application prior to the deadline, their approved status is still valid and they can complete the Long-Form Application during the next open grant cycle.)
After the application window closes, all Long-Form Applications are evaluated at the same time, and will be graded by members of a Diversity Saves subcommittee out of one hundred points, following the rubric below. If the applicant is an individual rather than a team, and Criterion 5 is inapplicable, the application will be graded out of 90 points rather than out of 100, and will be compared as a percentage rather than as a raw point value. Members of the evaluating committee are required to recuse themselves from evaluating the application of anyone with whom they have personal or professional connections. If members of the committee give the same application widely varying scores (historically, 15 or more points apart), an additional evaluation is performed by a Diversity Saves board member and all evaluations are averaged together.
Once all Long-Form applications have been graded, the Diversity Saves board will award grants to the applications with the highest scores; choosing how many grants to award and the amount of each grant is up to the board’s discretion. All applicants who submitted a Long-Form application will be contacted within two weeks after the application window closes. Applicants who were not approved for a grant are encouraged to apply again in future grant cycles.
Applicants who were approved for a grant will need to sign a Grant Agreement (specifying basic terms under which the grant is offered) and fill out a Grant Plan (to provide information such as the grantee’s contact information and PayPal address for receiving the funds). The grant funds will be sent within ten days of receiving the fully signed Grant Agreement and Grant Plan. Grantees are also required to fill out a Grant Financial Report once the funds are spent, to help Diversity Saves comply with nonprofit law.
Grant Criteria Rubric
Criterion 1: Alignment with Diversity Saves Mission Statement (30 points)
0 Points: The proposal does not demonstrate any alignment with Diversity Saves’ mission, or it actively contradicts the
organization’s goals.
1-5 Points: Limited alignment; the connection with Diversity Saves’ mission is unclear or insufficiently explained.
6-10 Points: Some alignment is evident, but the proposal lacks depth in connecting the project with the specific goals outlined in the mission statement.
11-15 Points: A solid alignment with Diversity Saves’ mission is demonstrated. The proposal clearly articulates how the project contributes to the organization’s objectives.
16-20 Points: Strong alignment; the proposal goes beyond the basics and provides a detailed and comprehensive connection to Diversity Saves’ mission.
21-25 Points: Very strong alignment; the proposal not only aligns with the mission but also shows an insightful understanding of how the project directly supports Diversity Saves’ commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
26-30 Points: Exceptional alignment; the proposal demonstrates an outstanding and profound connection with Diversity Saves’ mission, showcasing a deep understanding and clear integration of the organization’s values into the project.
Criterion 2: Transformative Impact on the TTRPG Space (30 points)
0 Points: The proposed project is not transformative or the expected impact is unclear and insufficient.
1-5 Points: Proposed project has limited transformative impact; or the impact is not well-defined or lacks a meaningful plan.
6-10 Points: Some transformative impact is expected, but the project lacks specificity or does not adequately address the needs of marginalized communities.
11-15 Points: Expected transformative impact is presented. The proposal demonstrates a clear understanding of the challenges in the TTRPG space and outlines a meaningful project with a reasonably expected impact.
16-20 Points: Strong expected transformative impact; the proposal goes beyond the basics and provides detailed strategies for creating positive and impactful change within the TTRPG industry, with a well-defined vision of the expected transformative outcome.
21-25 Points: Very strong expected transformative impact. Project outcome will address existing challenges and proposal demonstrates a thoughtful and comprehensive approach to creating a project with positive and lasting change.
26-30 Points: Exceptional expected transformative impact; the proposal showcases an outstanding and innovative project. The expected impact is transformative, and there is a high level of confidence in achieving significant and positive reshaping of the TTRPG industry, with a clear focus on marginalized communities.
Criterion 3: Organization, Planning, Feasibility (15 points)
0 Points: The proposal lacks organization, and the plan is not feasible or is poorly thought out.
1-5 Points: Limited organization and feasibility; the proposal is somewhat disorganized, and there are significant gaps in the plan’s feasibility.
6-10 Points: Adequate organization and feasibility; the proposal outlines a basic plan with some organization and feasibility considerations, but there may be gaps or uncertainties.
11-15 Points: Good organization and feasibility; the proposal is well-organized, and the plan is feasible with clear timelines, milestones, and contingency plans.
Criterion 4: Accessibility (15 points)
0 Points: The proposal does not address accessibility, or it actively overlooks the needs of diverse audiences.
1-5 Points: Limited consideration for accessibility; the proposal mentions accessibility but lacks concrete strategies or fails to address potential barriers adequately.
6-10 Points: Some consideration for accessibility; the proposal includes basic strategies for making the project accessible, but there may be areas that need further attention.
11-15 Points: Strong consideration for accessibility; the proposal outlines comprehensive strategies to ensure the project is accessible to a diverse audience, addressing potential barriers effectively.
Criterion 5: Additional Member(s) from Marginalized Communities (10 points)
0 Points: No additional team members from marginalized communities are mentioned, or the information provided is unclear or inadequate.
1-5 Points: Limited information about additional team members; the proposal mentions team members from marginalized communities, but details are minimal or unclear.
6-10 Points: Clear information about additional team members; the proposal provides transparent and detailed information about the roles and contributions of team members from marginalized communities.