This information has been updated to reflect changes to the eligibility for Round 2 of the ERF. Please review these criteria before applying.

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 July 6, 2020. If you do not currently have an active TCA Membership, you may still join or renew your membership here.
• A taiko professional working in the taiko community. Priority will be given to those applicants with 10+ years of professional experience.
• Able to show income loss from cancellations, closures, postponements, decrease in student tuition, 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 December 31, 2020.

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

Individuals who applied in the first round of applications are eligible to re-apply at this time.

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

This information has been updated to reflect changes to the review process and funding priorities for Round 2 of the ERF. Please review this information before applying.

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 impacted 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 approval of funding. This award is not a competition nor contest and will not measure the quality of an applicant’s artistic work. Rather, this award is considered a discretionary relief fund to be distributed equitably to taiko professionals who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are grateful for the contributions already made toward our emergency relief initiatives, and recognize with the uncertainty of current events that many of our community members may be in need of ERF support for some time to come. Contributions toward TCA's emergency support initiatives will continue to directly support these professionals into the future. TCA will remain open to the possibility of future rounds of the ERF based on available funding, and we are committed to continually updating our scope and process based on lessons learned from these initial rounds and evolving circumstances, as well as keeping our community up to date on any additional resources and opportunities that may arise.

This information has been updated to reflect changes for Round 2 of the ERF.

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 “impacted financial circumstances”?
   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. This fund is issued directly to individuals to support their lives and art/livelihood at their discretion.
   
   
3. Why is the ERF restricted to TCA Members?
   The ERF's priority is to provide immediate relief to taiko professionals 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. Can applicants from the first round of ERF re-apply?
   Yes. Applicants that applied in the first round of ERF can re-apply. In keeping with fairness and the fact that this round has changed selection and eligibility criteria, those who re-apply are subject to providing additional or new supporting documentation.
   
   
5. How has the ERF process changed since Round One?
   Based on feedback from applicants in the first round, as well as the results of additional benchmarking in the arts industry that has better informed how the ERF program could and should continue, TCA has decided to expand the eligibility criteria to include earlier-career taiko professionals and those with other unique income situations. TCA realizes that how performing artists document and identify income can be varied – the changes we have made for round two of funding should take this into consideration and be more inclusive.
   
   
6. Is artistic merit a consideration for selection?
   No – this award is not a competition nor contest and will not measure the quality of an applicant’s artistic work. Applicants will be solely reviewed on whether or not their application meets the stated eligibility criteria. 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.

This information has been updated to reflect changes to the notification process for Round 2 of the ERF. Please review this information before applying.

Documentation: Please have a copy of your Form-W9 ready in the event that your application is selected. A Form-W9 with Social Security number is required by the IRS in order for TCA to distribute these funds 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 awardees 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 July 24, 2020, provided that the recipient's Form-W9 has been received.

Use of Funds: Emergency Relief Funds (ERF) are considered unrestricted funds. Recipients may use the funds as needed. There is no requirement to repay funds. ERF awards 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 fund is considered taxable income by the IRS, so fund recipients will need to pay taxes on it. Each person’s tax obligations will differ based on individual circumstances. Individuals who receive this funding may want to consult a tax professional when preparing 2020 taxes.

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