TCA Emergency Relief Funds are designed to address the immediate needs of taiko professionals. Grants will be made directly to individuals, and not to associated nonprofits or business entities.

An eligible applicant is:

• Currently residing in the United States of America.
• A TCA Member with active membership status as of April 30, 2020. If you do not currently have an active TCA Membership, you may still join or renew your membership here.
• A taiko professional with 5 or more years working in the taiko community. Priority will be given to those applicants with 10+ years of professional experience.
• Generating more than 50% of their household income from taiko-related activities*. Priority will be given to those applicants who generate more than 75% of their household income from taiko-related work.
• Able to show income loss of at least $500 from cancellations, closures, postponements, etc. of taiko-related activities due to COVID-19 pandemic containment measures. Activities must have been scheduled to take place from March 1, 2020, through June 30, 2020.
  
  

Applicants who currently serve as a TCA employee, board member, and/or committee member are eligible to apply for the ERF funds, but will be required to recuse themselves from the selection process to avoid any conflicts of interest. Similarly, TCA personnel who are family members or are otherwise closely connected to an applicant will also recuse themselves from the selection process.

*Taiko-related activities may include but are not limited to events, performances, workshops, and classes.

A committee of TCA board members and advisors will review all applications vetted for eligibility, and make final decisions on ERF recipients.

Applicants must demonstrate dire financial circumstances as a result of cancellations, specifying how the losses impact their ability to maintain essential needs such as housing, healthcare, childcare, food, professional livelihood, etc.

In the event that the total funding requested by eligible applications exceeds that available through the ERF, preference will be given to taiko professionals who have dedicated more than 10 years working experience in the community and whose household income relies (more than 75%) on the applicant’s taiko revenue.

Artistic merit is not a criteria for selection. 

We expect that community needs will far surpass what is available in the ERF resources at this time. All applicants are encouraged to consider this fund as 'bridge money' while applying and waiting for public/social services, government loans, and other sources of support. We welcome contributions from our community to support TCA's emergency support initiatives including replenishing the ERF. If we are able to conduct additional rounds of the ERF, we anticipate making changes to the process based on our learnings from this first round and will continue to update the taiko community on any changes, as well as other available resources and opportunities as they arise.

1. How do you define "taiko professional"?
   
   

   As an artist, teacher, and/or community leader who possesses the talent, expertise, and/or skills to get paid to perform and/or teach taiko. Eligible recipients must show a minimum of 5 years of working in this capacity. Due to limited funds, preference will be given to those who show 10+ years of experience working in this capacity.
   
   

2. How do you define “dire financial emergencies”?

    

   The ERF seeks to provide emergency relief to those individuals who are experiencing an acute financial hardship that is straining their ability to support essential needs such as housing, healthcare, childcare, food, etc.
   
   

3. Why is the ERF restricted to TCA Members?
   
   

   The ERF's priority is to provide immediate relief to taiko professionals with the most dire financial situations and with the greatest challenges of sustaining a livelihood as taiko professionals within our community. In the interest of providing emergency support in the most timely and efficient manner, TCA has limited ERF parameters to its current membership within the USA.
   
   

4. Is artistic merit a consideration for selection?
   
   

   No.

If selected, please have the following required documentation ready:

1. Emails or other written documentation of any closures or cancellations related to COVID-19 that were scheduled to take place between March 1, 2020 and June 30, 2020 and that were mentioned in your application.
   
   
2. Form-W9: A Form-W9 with Social Security number is required by the IRS in order for TCA to distribute these grants to individuals. (Click here to download). TCA will not retain sensitive information (e.g., Social Security numbers) beyond the time frame required by our auditors and so that we may produce required 1099 forms for grantees and their tax reporting obligations at the end of the year.

When and How to Receive Funds: As required by the IRS, recipients will be asked upon notification to submit a Form-W9. Funds will be disbursed directly to each approved applicant via check by May 15, 2020, provided that the recipient's Form-W9 has been received. 

Use of Funds: Emergency Relief Funds (ERF) are considered unrestricted grants. Recipients may use the funds as needed. There is no requirement to repay funds. ERF grants are intended to help individuals bridge urgent financial gaps resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic as they seek other forms of assistance.

Tax Reporting Requirements: This grant is considered taxable income by the IRS, so you will need to pay taxes on it. Each person’s tax obligations will differ based on individual circumstances. You may want to consult a tax professional when you prepare your 2020 taxes.

Grant Reporting Requirements: ERF grant recipients will be expected to fill out a brief questionnaire in August or September 2020 to help TCA evaluate the grant's impact.