[IDEA] Opportunity Grant

[kjaymiller]

Situation

Black Python Devs members were reporting that their requests for a travel grant were rejected without explanation. A consolation of a virtual ticket was awarded to the individuals and the opportunity to request additional fund would require that individuals forfeit their virtual tickets.

This gave members pause around requesting funds in fear they would have to miss out on PyCon completely for trying to request help.

Goal

Encourage folks to request travel assistance to PyCon and other conference by providing back-up funding in the event their request is rejected.

Execution

Users are asked to first submit through the conference's financial assistance program alongside the Black Python Devs opportunity grant. If their conference financial assistance if rejected, the opportunity grant will work to provide partial or full funding for the conference's commitment for ticket, travel, and hotel.

To Qualify

Users have to apply through the conference's travel grant program in order to qualify.

Users must be members of black python devs via recognized community membership channels PRIOR to the application deadline:

• Black Python Devs LinkedIn Group
• Black Python Devs Discord

Rules

• Proof of conference grant reward or reject is required upon request
• The opportunity grant is not a part of any recognized sponsorship from Black Python Devs and the conference
• The opportunity grant will be open to conferences as determined by leadership
• The fund will match the level of funding provided by the conference, except in the following ways:
  • visa support will be based on standardized costs as a reimbursement
  • Opportunity grant only covers hotel stays with check-in mins day before the conference and checkout the day of or day after the conference depending on travel availability.
  • The opportunity grant requires users to use any conference provided deals on tickets, hotels, and travel. (hotel-blocks, travel discounts, etc)
  • The opportunity does not provide per-diem funding

Grant Tiers

Grant awards are based on what our fund can afford. Our goal is to fund as many equally as we can provide. We'll announce funding levels once travel grants are closed

• virtual tickets (to all entrants)
• adds in-person tickets option
• adds visa coverage for all international entrants
• adds hotel
• adds travel

Partial Funding

If a member has received partial funding from a conference this opportunity grant could be used to supplement additional funding as needed as long as the level of funding has been met.

Example:

A member wants to attend a conference and their ticket and hotel are covered. 
They can use the fund to pay for their travel.

Treasurer and Funding

This project will likely be our most costly project. In order for this to be successfully executed, we'll need to make sure that we're able to replenish this fund as much as possible.

A treasurer needs to be appointed to oversee the allotment and availability of funds.

Funding of this should be made available as a designated carveout when choosing to donate to Black Python Devs.