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USGA Driving Equity Grant ProgramTerms and Conditions

THESE PROGRAM TERMS (“TERMS”) GOVERN YOUR PARTICIPATION ON BEHALF OF YOUR ORGANIZATION IN THE USGA DRIVING EQUITY GRANT PROGRAM. BY SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR THE GRANT, YOU, ON BEHALF OF YOURSELF AND YOUR ORGANIZATION (COLLECTIVELY, “YOU”), AGREE TO THESE TERMS. 

IF ANY OF THESE TERMS ARE NOT COMPLIED WITH, PARTICIPATION MAY BE FORFEITED, INCLUDING RECEIPT OF ANY GRANT, AND ANY GRANT PAID MAY NEED TO BE REPAID TO USGA, ALL IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION.

WHAT IS THE DRIVING EQUITY GRANT PROGRAM?

The USGA Driving Equity Grant Program (“Grant Program”) is a program run by the United States Golf Association (“USGA”) awarding up to $50,000 USD total in Grants, which offers financial assistance in the form of a one-time payment ranging from $2,000-$10,000 USD (“Grant”) to select news or media organizations to help encourage and support coverage of women’s golf events by either funding (1) out-of-pocket travel-related expenses or freelancer costs for attending and/or covering women’s golf events, and/or (2) production costs or out-of-pocket travel-related expenses for special projects or features (e.g., human interest pieces) related to women’s golf and/or female golfers (“Purpose”).

WHO CAN APPLY?

Organizations that meet the following requirements (collectively, “Applicants”) may apply to the Grant Program:

  • A for-profit or non-profit media or news organization; and
  • Plan to attend and/or cover at least one women’s golf event (professional or amateur)  during the 2021 season or produce a special project or feature (e.g., human-interest piece) related to women’s golf and/or female golfer(s).

 

Applicants must NOT:

  • Discriminate based on race, gender, faith, national origin, sexual orientation or disability;
  • Engage in defamatory activities;
  • Carry on propaganda or otherwise attempt to influence specific legislation or influence the outcome of any specific public election.

 

As a condition of participating, Applicants hereby agree as follows: 

  • To read, complete, agree to, and sign additional documentation that, among other things, provides information for tax and legal compliance purposes and confirms the requirements and conditions of these Terms, if selected as a potential Grant recipient; and
  • That the natural person filling out the Grant Program application is an authorized representative of the organization identified in the application, if applicable.

 

WHAT MUST THE APPLICATION INCLUDE?

Application must include the following:

  • A description of how Grant funds will be used for the Purpose
  • Budget outlining how the funds will be used
  • Desired grant amount between $2,000 to $10,000 USD
  • Contact information
  • Organization information

 

Application materials, as well as the required publication, special project or feature, must meet the following requirements, as determined by USGA in its sole discretion. If you do not provide all required information, your application will not be considered:

  • Be written entirely in the English language;
  • Not defame, infringe, misappropriate, or violate any rights of any third party including, without limitation, rights of privacy or publicity; and
  • Only include content about persons or entities from whom the Applicant has all necessary permissions and rights, including, if applicable, a minor’s parent or legal guardian (Applicant agrees to provide USGA with written confirmation of those permissions and rights upon request).

 

You are solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, provincial and local laws, rules, or regulations in connection with participating in the Grant Program. Proof of application (such as, without limitation, a screen shot of your application) does not constitute proof of actual receipt of a submission for purposes of this Grant Program. Applications will not be returned and may be destroyed after the Grant Program is over. Keep a copy of each element of your application. Applications that are incomplete, illegible, corrupted, damaged, destroyed, altered, false, lost, late, misdirected, or otherwise not in compliance with these Terms will not be accepted and will be void.

WHAT IS THE APPLICATION AND THE SELECTION PROCESS?

APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications will be accepted beginning at 9 a.m. EST on May 1, 2021 until $50,000 USD in total Grant funds has been awarded. To apply, eligible applicants can visit the Grant Program application page at usga.org/pledge and follow the on-screen links and instructions to complete and submit the Grant Program application form and provide all required information.

SELECTION PROCESS
USGA will evaluate each application based on the selection criteria below.  Grant preference will be given to news or media organizations who meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • Plan to attend and cover a USGA women’s championship or event during the 2021 season
  • Have an established reader, listener or video consumer supported business model and are deemed a reputable as determined by USGA
  • Plan to publish high-profile or highly visible content within the organization’s distribution channels
  • Financial need or lack of dedicated financial support to cover women’s sports
  • Proposed use of grant funds
  • Potential impact of grant in advancing women in sports
  • Contribution to greater visibility of women’s sports or female athletes
  • Nuanced or creative approaches to the content coverage or distribution of such content

 

Awarded Applicants will be notified of their Grant award on a rolling basis via email or telephone. It may take up to four weeks for a decision to be made on your Grant application. The awarded amount will be delivered in a single up-front payment. Grants will be disbursed via check.

WHAT ARE THE GRANTS?

The applications selected to receive a Grant by USGA will receive grants ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 USD, with each Grant value and exact number of Grants awarded determined in USGA’s sole discretion, up to $50,000 USD per calendar year for the entire Grant Program. USGA expects to award between 10-20 Grants per year. The Grant must be used directly and solely for the Purpose as identified in the Grant recipient’s application and otherwise in accordance with these Terms.  Applicant is responsible for scheduling and making all its own travel-related plans.

As a condition of applying, each Applicant that receives a Grant agrees to: 1) allowing USGA to use its name and certain other information, including potentially identifying its representatives, for publicity and marketing purposes in any media whatsoever; 2) the restrictions and obligations with respect to use of the Grant, including, without limitation, publishing content related to women’s golf and/or female golfers, providing consumer-reach data related to the content distribution (to the extent such data is available and can be shared with the USGA), and other restrictions and obligations set forth below; and 3) granting USGA a license to distribute or promote the content created or produced by Applicant, associated consumer-reach data (to the extent such data is available and can be shared with the USGA), and Program details in connection with the Grant.

WHAT ARE THE RESTRICTIONS ON USE OF THE GRANT?

As a condition of participating, Applicants hereby agree as follows if selected as a potential recipient:

  • Each Grant recipient must use the Grant funds for the intended Purpose which includes:
    • out-of-pocket travel-related expenses or freelancer costs for attending and/or covering women’s golf events,
    • production costs or out-of-pocket travel-related expenses for special projects or features (e.g., human interest pieces) related to women’s golf and/or female golfers;
  • Each Grant recipient must publish content about or related to women’s golf event(s), women’s golf and/or female golfers within three (3) months of receipt of grant funding;
  • Each Grant recipient must provide to USGA a copy of the published content and, to the extent such data is available and can be shared with the USGA, associated aggregated data related to consumer reach of the published content, which Applicant agrees may be shared publicly, including for marketing or promotional purposes;
  • Use of any Grant amount must comply with all applicable explicit or implicit terms and conditions or policies applicable for platforms, applications, software, tools or other resources used by the Grant recipient, if any;
  • Grant recipient must also comply with any ethical standards applicable to the receipt of the Grant, including any required disclosures regarding receipt of Grant funding and publication of content created in connection with the Grant; and
  • Each Grant recipient acknowledges that receiving a Grant does not confer upon the Applicant any special recognition, endorsement, or affiliation with USGA.

 

Limit one Grant per organization (an organization that owns several news or media outlets is eligible to apply for one grant across their company for the purpose of several uses). Grant funds must only be used directly for the Purpose. Grants may be used for more than one publication, project, or feature.  USGA reserves the right to request proof (e.g., receipts, invoices, pay stubs, etc.) evidencing that funds were used for the Purpose. If a recipient is otherwise unable to use the Grant solely and directly for the Purpose and related activities, the organization agrees to promptly return any unexpended Grant funds to USGA.

If any portion of the Grant is used for any purpose other than the Purpose described in the application, you agree to promptly correct this error. If the misuse is not promptly corrected, USGA may demand the return of the entire Grant and you agree to do so. 

GENERAL RULES

By submitting an Application (except where prohibited by law), each individual entrant, on their behalf and on behalf of their organization, grants the Released Parties the irrevocable, sublicensable, absolute right and permission to use, publish, post or display the organization’s name and logo and any submitted Application materials or content published pursuant to the Grant Program for advertising, trade, promotional and publicity purposes without further obligation or compensation of any kind to anyone, anywhere, in any medium now known or hereafter discovered or devised (including, without limitation, on the Internet), worldwide, without any limitation of time, and without notice, review, or approval and each entrant releases all Released Parties from any and all liability related thereto. Nothing contained in these Terms obligates USGA to make use of any of the rights granted herein and entrant waives any right to inspect or approve any such use.

USGA reserve the right, in their sole discretion, to discontinue funding and take other steps they deem appropriate if they are not satisfied with the progress of the Grant or content of any written report or meeting.

USGA’s decisions will be final in all matters relating to this Grant Program, including interpretation of these Terms and acceptance or rejection of Grant applicants at any time.

Applicants agree to not damage or cause interruption of the Grant Program and/or prevent others from participating in the Grant Program. USGA reserves the right to restrict or void participation from any IP address, email address or domain, device, or other designator or identifiable source if any fraudulent or harmful participation is suspected, as determined by USGA in its sole discretion. USGA further reserve the right to disqualify any Applicant who USGA believes has attempted to tamper with or impair the administration, security, fairness, or proper play of this Grant Program. ANY ATTEMPT TO DAMAGE ANY ONLINE SERVICE OR WEBSITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE GRANT PROGRAM MAY VIOLATE CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS. IF SUCH AN ATTEMPT IS MADE, USGA MAY DISQUALIFY ANY PARTICIPANT MAKING SUCH ATTEMPT AND MAY SEEK DAMAGES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

If USGA determines at any time in its sole discretion that a Grant recipient is disqualified, ineligible, or in violation of these Terms, USGA reserve the right in their sole discretion to select an alternate Grant recipient, even if the disqualified potential recipient’s name may have been shown or announced. USGA reserve the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, modify or suspend the Grant Program for any reason, including, but not limited to, if the Grant Program is not capable of running as planned for any reason.

In the event there is an alleged or actual ambiguity, discrepancy, or inconsistency between disclosures or other statements contained in any Grant Program-related materials and these Terms (including any alleged discrepancy or inconsistency within these Terms), it will be resolved by USGA in USGA ‘s sole discretion. Applicants waive any right to claim ambiguity in the Grant Program or these Terms. USGA ‘s failure to or decision not to enforce any provision in these Terms will not constitute a waiver of that or any other provision. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these Terms will not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. In the event that any provision is determined to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable or illegal, these Terms will otherwise remain in effect and will be construed in accordance with their Terms as if the invalid or illegal provision were not contained in these Terms.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

EACH PARTICIPATING INDIVIDUAL AND ORGANIZATION AND EACH OF ITS AGENTS AND REPRESENTATIVES, AGREES TO RELEASE AND HOLD HARMLESS USGA AND ITS SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES, AFFILIATES, DIVISIONS, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, REPRESENTATIVES, CONSULTANTS, SUB-CONTRACTORS, SUPPLIERS, DISTRIBUTORS, LEGAL COUNSEL, ADVERTISING, PUBLIC RELATIONS, PROMOTIONAL, FULFILLMENT AND MARKETING AGENCIES (COLLECTIVELY, THE “RELEASED PARTIES”) FOR ANY LIABILITY WHATSOEVER ASSOCIATED WITH PARTICIPATION IN THIS GRANT PROGRAM, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, FOR INJURIES OR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND SUSTAINED IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE, ACCEPTANCE, POSSESSION, MISUSE OR AWARDING OF ANY GRANT, OR WHILE PREPARING FOR, PARTICIPATING IN AND/OR TRAVELING TO OR FROM ANY GRANT- OR GRANT PROGRAM-RELATED ACTIVITY OR PUBLISHING CONTENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE GRANT PROGRAM. EACH GRANT RECIPIENT AGREES THAT THE GRANT IS PROVIDED AS-IS WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY, REPRESENTATION OR GUARANTEE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN FACT OR IN LAW, WHETHER NOW KNOWN OR HEREINAFTER ENACTED, RELATIVE TO ITS USE OR ENJOYMENT, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ITS QUALITY, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

BY PARTICIPATING IN THIS GRANT PROGRAM, YOU UNDERSTAND THAT YOU MAY BE WAIVING RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO CLAIMS THAT ARE AT THIS TIME UNKNOWN OR UNSUSPECTED, AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH WAIVER, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND, AND HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVE, THE BENEFITS OF SECTION 1542 OF THE CIVIL CODE OF CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., AND ANY SIMILAR LAW IN ANY JURISDICTION, WHICH PROVIDES AS FOLLOWS:

“CERTAIN CLAIMS NOT AFFECTED BY A GENERAL RELEASE. A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS THAT THE CREDITOR OR RELEASING PARTY DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE AND THAT, IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER, WOULD HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR OR RELEASED PARTY.”

DISCLAIMERS

Employees, officers, directors, executive committee members, managers, agents, and representatives of the Released Parties are not responsible and/or liable for any of the following, whether caused by a Released Party, the applicant, or by human error (except to the extent that any of the following occur for reasons within USGA’s reasonable control, if applicable law in your jurisdiction of residence dictates that liability to the injured party in such a case cannot be excluded by law): any lost, late, postage-due, incomplete, illegible, incomprehensible, mutilated, or misdirected email, mail, or Grant Program-related correspondence or materials; any error, omission, interruption, defect, or delay in transmission or communication; viruses or technical or mechanical malfunctions; interrupted or unavailable telephonic, cellular, cable, or satellite systems; errors, typos or misprints in these Terms, in any Grant Program-related advertisements or other materials; failures of electronic equipment, computer hardware or software; lost or unavailable network connections or any failed, incorrect, incomplete, inaccurate, garbled or delayed electronic communications; technical or human error which may occur in the administration of the Grant Program or the processing of applications; or any injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from applicant's participation in the Grant Program. Without limiting any other provision of these Terms, no Released Party is responsible or liable for any injury or damage to the persons or property of applicant or any third party based on use by such party of the Application materials made available or content generated by Grant recipients as part of this Grant Program. Released Parties are not responsible, and may disqualify an applicant, if any contact information provided by the applicant does not work or is changed without giving prior written notice to USGA. Without limiting any other provision in these Terms, the Released Parties are not responsible or liable to any applicant (or any person claiming through such applicant) for any inability to proceed with the Grant Program at any stage or failure to provide a Grant or any part thereof, in the event that any of the Grant Program activities or USGA’s operations or activities are affected, as determined by USGA, by any cause or event beyond the sole and reasonable control of the applicable Released Party (as determined by USGA in its sole discretion).

DISPUTES/GOVERNING LAW

Except where prohibited by law, any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action between an applicant and any Released Party arising out of or connected with this Grant Program or these Terms must be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action or legal action on behalf of any group. Further, in any such dispute, under no circumstances will an applicant be permitted or entitled to obtain awards for, and hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, incidental or consequential damages, or any other damages, including attorneys' fees, other than the applicant’s actual out-of-pocket expenses (if any), not to exceed ten dollars ($10) and each applicant further waives all rights to have damages multiplied or increased.

This Grant Program and any dispute arising under these Terms or related to these Terms or the Grant Program (whether for breach of contract, tortious conduct, or otherwise) will be governed by the internal laws of the State of New Jersey without giving effect to its conflicts of law or choice of law principles or rules that would cause the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction. Any legal actions, suits or proceedings related to this Grant Program (whether for breach of contract, tortious conduct, or otherwise) will be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in or having jurisdiction over Somerset County, New Jersey, and each applicant accepts and submits to the personal jurisdiction of those courts with respect to any legal actions, suits or proceedings arising out of or related to this Grant Program.