The ADS Fund

"The ADS Fund has been established to provide support in the form of Grants to qualified Individuals and Organizers (as defined by the board of the fund). The purpose of these grants is to provide opportunity and to encourage the expansion and growth of the sport of carriage driving throughout the United States, to increase knowledge, competence and participation within the sport. Grant eligibility shall be available without regard to race, sex, age, religion, national origin, disability or any other status protected by law to bona fide individuals who satisfy the eligibility criteria set forth." . Mission statement April, 2005

American Driving Society Fund Grant Program

The ADS Fund has developed a number of grant programs designed to expand all aspects of the sport of carriage driving. They are available to ADS members in good standing. The programs outlined have been developed in response to needs expressed by members of the Society. The Overseers encourage the proposal of additional programs that will increase the positive impact the ADS Fund provides for driving.

Grant Application and disbursement forms follow the descriptions of current programs.

Young Drivers Grants
The ADS Young Drivers Program is available to fund grants that will expand the involvement and education of youth in the sport of carriage driving. Grants may be available to organizers of youth related activities or to young drivers in the form of scholarships. For the purposes of this program young drivers are defined as youngsters up to the age of 21. The Young Drivers Program benefits the sport and each participant in many ways. Youngsters receive a firm foundation on which to build their future in driving and it encourages early participation assuring the future of the sport. Organizers should submit to the fund overseers’ proposals outlining the program they wish to offer a detailed plan, an assessment of the benefits that will be derived from the program and a budget. The budget should include potential sources of income and projected expenses with an explanation of any unusual items.
  
Grant Availability
Amounts available and form of payment will depend on the program structure and availability of funds

                Expenses for which Grant funds may be available include the following:

                                Transportation, meals & lodging – young drivers
                                Transportation, meals & lodging – instructor/s
                                Transportation of horses/ponies
                                Reasonable fees
                                Facility rental
                                Insurance
                                Instructors’ fees
                                Publicity

The ADS Fund anticipates facilitating the work of the ADS Young Driver Committee as they develop new avenues of opportunity for Young Drivers.
                               
Disbursement
All proposed program grants must receive a pre-approval from the ADS Fund Overseers’. Program proposals may be submitted at anytime but should be received at least 8 weeks prior to the programs commencement. Responses to grant requests will be within 6 weeks of receipt. Detailed expense reports including original invoices, must be submitted to the ADS Fund, within thirty (30) days for final settlement.

Regional Support Grants
The ADS Regional Support Programs serve the eight regions of North America. Each relies on a volunteer Regional Director to support and promote the work of the ADS. These programs provide funds to be used for the best development of the sport in each area under the supervision of the Regional Director. There are currently three areas for which grants may be available.

1) Regional Director Support Grants
 Regional Directors may submit to the Fund Overseers requests for grants to offset budgets for regional programs such as clinics, speakers and enhanced communications. Benefit will flow to all members of each region in the form of a more responsive organization that will better serve their needs and the needs of the sport.

Grant Availability
                Up to $2000/year for each Region depending on availability of funds

                Expenses for which Grant funds generally are available include the following:

                                Regional clinics, training, other educational opportunities
                                Transportation, meals & lodging – club/regional meetings
                                Web site fees
                                Regional meeting

Disbursement
All proposed Regional Director Support Grants must receive a pre-approval from the ADS Fund Overseers’. Program proposals may be submitted at anytime prior to the programs commencement but should be received at least 8 weeks in advance for timely consideration. Responses to grant requests will be within 6 weeks of receipt. Detailed expense reports including original invoices, must be submitted to the ADS Fund, within thirty (30) days for final settlement.

2) Competition Advisor Grant                                                                                                             
The ADS Competition Advisors Program establishes a mentoring program for new and young competitions:  The many skill sets required including a strong knowledge of the rules and procedures of the ADS , accounting, volunteer recruiting and management, course and venue design, scheduling and sponsorship solicitation. There currently is no resource available on which a potential competition organizer can rely to learn the skills required to create a successful competition.
First and second year ADS recognized competitions may apply for a grant to pay the expense of bringing the ADS “R” TD they have selected to the site of their competition. The visit may be three months to one year in advance of the competition date to advise the organization on a plan for a successful competition. This program will benefit the driving sport through increased competition nationwide, encouraging initial and expanded participation in the sport and the development of higher-level skill sets within competition organizations.

Grant Availability
                Expenses for which Grant funds may be available include the following:

                                Transportation, meals & lodging – ADS “R” TD for pre-competition visit
                                ADS “R” TD fees for pre-competition visit

Disbursement
All grant requests must receive a pre-approval from the ADS Fund Overseers’. Program proposals may be submitted at anytime prior to the programs commencement but should be received at least 8 weeks in advance for timely consideration. Responses to grant requests will be within 6 weeks of receipt. Detailed expense reports including original invoices, must be submitted to the ADS Fund, within thirty (30) days for final settlement. Payments for fees and expenses will be made directly to each TD.

3) Arena Driving Trial Grants
 The ADS Arena Driving Trial Program supports an ideal introduction to the sport for competitors and organizers. These trials by their nature can only accommodate a small number of competitors in a day. To meet expenses a competition must have a full entry. This is in most cases not achievable in the first or second year of existence. The purpose of this program is to provide financial assistance to encourage the development of this area of the carriage driving sport. The program will create new competitions, bring new competitors forward and provide training opportunities for established competitors.

Grant Availability
                Grants of up to $375 each will be provided dependent upon availability of funds.

                Expenses for which Grant funds generally are available include the following:

                                Transportation, meals & lodging – officials
                                Official’s fees
                                Facility rental
                                Insurance
                                Equipment
                               
Disbursement
All proposed grant requests must receive pre-approval from the ADS Fund Overseers’. Program proposals may be submitted at anytime prior to the programs commencement but should be received at least 8 weeks in advance for timely consideration. Responses to grant requests will be within 6 weeks of receipt. Detailed expense reports including original invoices, must be submitted to the ADS Fund, within thirty (30) days for final settlement.
               

International Opportunity Initiative Grants
The ADS International Opportunity Initiative Program (IOI) provides access to training opportunities for those who seek to participate at the highest level of the driving sport. The IOI provides resources to our developing international hopefuls and increased access to training opportunities in support of their competitive goals. This is done in the form of Training grants to available to US Equestrian Federation Long Listed drivers so that they may attend USEF and other qualified training opportunities on the path to the highest level competition. Among benefits achieved is the steady improvement in the quality and scope of sport with impact at every level.

Grant Availability
                Up to $500/year for each long listed driver depending on availability of funds

                Expenses for which Grant funds generally are available include the following:

                                Transportation, meals & lodging – driver
                                Transportation, meals & lodging - groom
                                Transportation - horses
                                Stabling
                                Training fee

Disbursement
Grant requests may be submitted at anytime, but if the grant request is not approved in advance of the training, funds may no longer be available. As an alternative to submitting records of actual costs, a daily food allowance of Thirty-Five Dollar ($35.00) will be allowed for each day away from home. Travel by personal vehicle will be reimbursed at the rate of Thirty Cents per mile ($0.30), and Fifty Cents per mile ($0.50) if towing horses. Invoices for hotel and stabling must be submitted. Detailed expense reports including original invoices, must be submitted to the ADS Fund, within thirty (30) days for final settlement.