Nusea

Grants

NUSEA will provide two types of grants to programs: membership and program development. Any U.S. city which develops and operates an urban squash and education program that meets NUSEA’s criteria may apply first for a $10,000 Provisional Membership Grant. This grant will be given to the city if it submits a written proposal that is reviewed and approved by NUSEA’s Board and then passes a two day program site visit by NUSEA’s Executive Director. After one year of Provisional Membership, a city may apply once again to NUSEA for full membership. If received, a second grant will be given for $5,000. Please see Joining NUSEA for more information. All NUSEA program members will be visited twice per year. One of these visits will constitute a formal review.

NUSEA will award one program development grant each year to an American city well-positioned to create a successful urban squash and education youth program. Determining factors for NUSEA sponsorship will include an adequate squash and academic practice facility, strong school partnerships, a solid base of local funding, a clear fundraising plan, and a few very committed founding Board members. This development grant will be for a maximum amount of $50,000 per year for three consecutive years. The development grant is a challenge grant intended to catalyze and broaden local giving. Cities must raise two dollars for every one dollar given of this grant. In other words, for a city to receive all $50,000 of this grant, it must have raised and received $100,000 from other sources. Additionally, in years two and three, the city must raise a ‘new’ $100,000 either by securing increased support from existing donors or securing suppport from donors who did not contribute in year one.

Program Visits

NUSEA will visit member programs semi-annually to meet with Executive Directors, Board members and staff. The purpose of these visits will be to ensure that membership criteria are being met and to support program improvement. NUSEA will customize feedback to meet the program’s specific need. Topics might include: student recruitment and retention, staff hiring and performance reviews, budgeting and fundraising, board recruitment and management, program evaluation and strategic planning, building a youth center, finding the right school partnerships, securing squash and academic facilities, setting up successful community service projects, and stewardship and donor retention.

Tournament Coordination and Sponsorship

NUSEA runs two major junior squash tournaments sanctioned by U.S. Squash and open only to players from member programs. These events are the National Urban Team Championships held in March/April and the National Urban Individual Championships held in June. These events are highlights of the year for urban squash as they bring together over 250 kids for fun, friendship and serious competition. The events showcase the progress our kids have made on the court as players and off the court as people throughout the year. NUSEA coordinates all logistics including facility arrangements, tournament scheduling and direction, and financial oversight. NUSEA provides t-shirts and trophies for both tournaments and has plans to sponsor all costs in the future.

Learning Retreats

NUSEA will organize and host learning retreats for staff and board members of NUSEA programs. The purpose of these retreats will be to provide support for people working in urban squash and to improve programming. The retreats will invite ‘experts’ in several disciplines to share knowledge and Best Practices with staff and board directors.

National Data Reporting

NUSEA will present data that offers compelling evidence that urban squash and education programs ‘work’ on a national level. Data will focus on program and school attendance, academic achievement, high school graduation rates, college matriculation and graduation rates.

Bulk Purchasing

Whenever possible, NUSEA will look to secure favorable pricing for all programs by teaming up to purchase services or products in bulk. Insurance, printing, squash equipment and accounting services are examples of where costs could be reduced.

Recruitment and Resource Clearinghouse

NUSEA will play an active role in recruiting great people to work in urban squash programs. Each year, the Executive Director will make presentations at the Men’s and Women’s Intercollegiates as well as visit individual college teams throughout the season. NUSEA will also do outreach at Schools of Education, Government and Public Policy to attract great Executive and Program Directors, teachers, and administrators. In an ongoing way, NUSEA will seek national funding opportunities to be shared by all member programs.