Q: May we hire a national teacher for our guild?
A: Grants cannot be given for events/ projects to benefit only members of a group. The event must be open to the public, and publicized to the surrounding community. Any fees charged should help off-set the group’s own costs for the event.

Q: Can we get a grant to do a fund-raising activity for our guild?
A: At this time, only events/ projects that are for the benefit of the public or a charitable (non-profit) institution can be considered for grant funding.

Q: Will the money given as grants come from SSQA’s accumulated treasury, or money raised in a certain year?
A: The total amount of grant money available in any year will be determined by the Executive Committee as part of the budget planning process. It will determined by how much they think is possible to offer, coming from general funds and/or restricted accounts (such as donations made or specific fundraisers for the grants program).

Q: Is SSQA going to pay for everything we need to host the event or have charity project?
A: Proposals should be made for funds connected to particular expenses of the event/ project. In order to assist more groups, entire events/ projects cannot be funded. Grants will not be made to cover items of value that are kept by the group after the event (i.e. sewing machines).

Q: Why should we have a Quilt Discovery Day?
A: We want quilts currently found in Florida to be preserved for future study. The information gathered will be part of The Florida Quilt Project and entered in the Quilt Index database ( a project of the Alliance for the American Quilt). Visit it at: www.QuiltIndex.org
Groups must use documentation forms and photos that will be compatible with the Quilt Index. A Quilt Discovery Day is considered an educational event.

Q: Do you have to be a member of SSQA to apply for a grant?
A: No, but preference may be given to member groups. Grants are for non– profit groups located in Florida, who are planning to host a quilting related event/ project open to the public.

Q: How will we publicize the availability of SSQA grants to potential applicants?
A: Our website, newsletter and guild reps are all part of the publicity. Other publications and organizations are also helping to spread the word. Have you suggested hosting a Quilt Discovery Day to your guild? Is there an event or project your group would undertake if they had some financial assistance? Is there a museum or other organization in your area that a quilt guild might work with?

Q: Who decides which groups get the money?
A: A committee of six SSQA members will receive and read all the proposals submitted between Jan. 1 and March 31. They will plan a day in April or May when they can all travel to meet together and make the decisions. The Board will have the final approval of the awards committee’s recommendations.

Q: How will the committee to select the recipient of the Grants be chosen?
A: SSQA members are being asked to volunteer for the committee, and the Board will have final approval of those members. Members of the committee may not be members of a group applying for a grant. This means a group may apply for a grant, but if they have a member on the committee, another person take that member’s place the committee.

Q: What if I want to be on the committee and my guild wants to make a grant proposal?
A: Please plan to volunteer in a year when your group is not applying for a grant. If you already on the committee, please let the chairman know your group is applying for a grant.

Q: How many grants will be made?
A: The number of grants given each year will depend on how many applications are received, amounts requested, funds available for that year, and quality of the proposals. Any group that does not win a grant is encouraged to apply again for the following year.

Q: What happens to the grants program if no one volunteers to serve on the grant application review committee? What if there are no proposals?
A: If there is no awards committee, no grants can be awarded. If there are no worthy proposals, no money will be given. The amount set by the Board is a limit, so all the money does not have to be awarded in any grants cycle (year). Un-awarded funds will not “roll over” to the following year, because the available amount is decided for each year.

Q: Can I get a grant for myself?
A: Grants cannot be made to individuals. If you have a project you think would make a good proposal, ask a group or organization to work with you and sponsor the event. The application must come from the group. Funds will not be granted for salaries, travel, income or personal expenses of anyone associated with the group.

Q: How will groups get all the details, forms, etc. to make a proposal?
A: All the forms appear on the SSQA website to be printed out as needed. See About the Grants Program for complete information about who may apply, what the requirements are, and the time table of what is to be done.

Q: When should the event/ project be held?
A: The grant money is to be awarded in June, and must be used one year from the time of the award (example: any time between June 1, 2011 and June 20, 2012). Scheduling concerns may be addressed with the committee chair.

Q: Why do we have to send the Review Form?
A: SSQA wants to be able to share the good work your group has done and help other groups learn how to host events and projects.

Q: What kind of events or projects could be considered for a grant?
A: In the future, a list of the events/projects that win awards will be listed on the website as examples of what the committee deems worthy. Meanwhile, groups might consider events/projects similar to ones done by National Quilting Association grant recipients, although that is no guarantee of winning a grant.