FAQ

Grant Applications

Q: Who is eligible and encouraged to apply for a grant?

A: We support creators from marginalized communities (BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, Neurodivergent, Disabled) who are seeking to create projects that impact the TTRPG space in a positive way. If you are applying on behalf of a creative team, we would like to see the team led by someone from a marginalized community or composed of at least 50% of team members who hold marginalized identities.

Q: Who is not eligible to apply for a grant?

A: Board members and their immediate families are ineligible to apply due to our nonprofit bylaws. Anyone on the OFAC Sanctions List (https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/specially-designated-nationals-and-blocked-persons-list-sdn-human-readable-lists) is ineligible to receive funds from us due to US nonprofit law. In addition, anyone with a history of behavior that directly opposes the mission of Diversity Saves is ineligible to apply.

Q: What does the grant process look like?

A: First, fill out the Short-Form grant application (https://diversitysaves.org/short-grant-application/). This form is open year-round and is designed for you to introduce yourself and your project in a casual format. Your application will be reviewed within two weeks. If approved, you will be invited to complete the Long-Form application, which requests more details about your plans for your project and your projected budget. The Long-Form application pool is open for a pre-set period. All applications are reviewed and responded to within two weeks after the application deadline closes.

If filling out either application creates an accessibility barrier or other obstacle to completion, members of Diversity Saves are available to schedule a short conversation (phone/zoom/discord/other) as an alternative.

Q: Who will evaluate my grant applications?

A: A subcommittee composed of members of the Diversity Saves board reviews each application. Members of this committee are required to recuse themselves from evaluating the application of anyone with whom they have personal or professional connections.

Q: Will I be granted the amount of funding I requested in my budget?

A: No. The amount of funding we have to distribute in each application cycle varies from cycle to cycle. We cannot guarantee that you will receive the amount of funding that you requested, even if you are approved for a grant. If your project is of a nature where you need a specific amount of funding and you would have to cancel it even if it is partially funded, please indicate this on your application.

Q: Another creator I know applied with the Short-Form application and was invited to fill out the Long-Form application. They shared the link to the Long-Form application with me. Can I fill out the Long-Form application for my own project without submitting the Short-Form application?

A: Anyone who attempts to bypass the review process in this way will be ineligible for grants and barred from reapplying.

Q: I was approved for a grant. What happens next?

A: If you are approved for a grant, you will hear from us by email within two weeks after the application deadline closes. We will inform you of your grant amount and request a PayPal account to which we will transfer funds. We will continue to stay in touch regarding your project, and we may post about your project on our website and other social media.

Q: I was not approved for a grant. What happens next?

A: If your application is not approved, we will notify you why you were not approved and whether the project is eligible for re-application during the next grant application period. If your current project is ineligible for future consideration, you may still apply for other projects during future grant application periods.

Q: I previously received a grant from you. Can I apply for another one?

A: You may apply for new grants during future application periods, but you cannot apply for more than one grant during the same grant application period.

Q: What is your stance on AI Generative programs? 

A: Diversity Saves does not condone or endorse the use of unauthorized copyrighted materials. As such, we will not provide grants to any project that utilizes AI-generated art or text as generated through Stable Diffusion for programs such as Midjourney or Dall-e and text generators such as ChatGPT.

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