Background
The following policy and procedures describe the legislative grant program under which NATA, through its Governmental Affairs Committee (GAC), provides funds to assist state AT associations. The program is based on the concept of a state/national partnership; states are expected to support their own efforts to the greatest extent possible and by involving as many members as possible. Consideration and eligibility for grant funding will include, but not be limited to, items such as:
- Communication and involvement with the NATA GAC Representative;
- Membership involvement through fundraising;
- Submission of bi-annual reports to the NATA GAC Representative;
- Completion of all application requirements (i.e.- 501(c)(6) status);
- Submission of a thorough and complete application.
Grants are made at the discretion of NATA. The intent is to support the national legislative agenda through assistance to individual states. Early and frequent contact with the NATA Governmental Affairs Committee representative will assure a smooth process.
Application Process
Discretionary and matching grant funds are made available through an annual budget allocation. States are expected to provide detailed budgets, including funds generated through dues, assessments, fund raising, and/or other means as well as reserve/savings balances.
Grants are available for proactive or reactive legislative efforts based on the following tier system.
Tier 1- No regulation or state is under-regulated; imminent danger of retraction of scope of practice; may include sunset review.
Tier 2- Poor practice act; overly restrictive as to setting or patient population; state actively involved in updating practice act, state planning for future legislative action relative to practice act with current activities to support the plan.
Tier 3- Issues other than practice act, such as athlete safety, regulatory issues, third party reimbursement, etc
Please submit applications through the appropriate NATA GAC representative. Completed applications must be submitted by the deadline to be considered.
Please note that no association may receive legislative grants unless it has obtained 501(c)(6) non-profit status by the IRS. Documentation of IRS status will be required by NATA at the time of grant acceptance.
NATA Grant Classifications:
Discretionary/Emergency Grants:
Grant requests will be considered as a whole and prioritized by the GAC. Applications for Discretionary grant applications will be accepted by the District GAC Representative July 1 – July 31.
For assistance in completing the application, contact your district GAC representative, the NATA Governmental Affairs Chair or NATA government affairs staff.
Requests for emergency funds will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and may be submitted at any time. Unanticipated legislation for which a defense must be mounted may qualify for emergency funds.
States requesting discretionary grants are not eligible for matching grants. However, if the discretionary grant request is denied, a matching grant may be available. Please indicate on the discretionary application that you wish to apply for a matching grant in the event no discretionary funds are available.
Matching Grants:
States that conduct fundraising specifically for legislative purposes may seek a matching grant. Matching grants are not available to states receiving discretionary grants. Matching grants are made on a scale consistent with and reflecting their current State Association Advisory Committee (SAAC) classification.
- Small States (299 members or less) $2-$1 Match
- Medium States (300-674 members) $1.66-$1 Match
- Large States (675-1199 members) $1.33-$1 Match
- Extra Large States (1200 members or more) $1-$1 Match
Applications will be accepted from August 1-31 and must be submitted to the GAC district representative. Those states completing the discretionary grant application who, in the event they are not awarded a discretionary grant, indicate on the discretionary grant application to be considered for a matching grant do not need to complete a matching grant application.
Awards will be announced after discretionary grant funds have been allocated. To be eligible for a matching grant, funds must be donated by members or through events organized and supported by members. A copy of the invitation or other documentation must be provided to demonstrate member involvement and the purpose of the fundraising. A list of the donors and amounts donated is required. The purpose of the matching grant is to complement the investment of NATA members in their legislative and regulatory efforts. Grants are dependent on available funds.
Funds must have been raised between July 1 and June 30. All documentation must be submitted by June 1.
Fund Disbursement:
Discretionary grants are disbursed based on expenditures and will not be released until receipts are submitted electronically to the NATA Manager of State Governmental Affairs (NATA-GA Manager). If there are cash flow issues, seed money may be made available. All receipts and documentation must be submitted to the NATA Government Affairs manager by June 1.
Matching grants are awarded in a lump sum after approval and after submission of required documentation. Documentation must be provided by June 1.
Approved Uses:
States may use grant funds for state activities such as lobbyist fees, grassroots organizing, coalition building, informational flyers, state lobby days, legal fees, etc. Grant funds may not be used for federal legislative activities such as the NATA Capitol Hill Day, for the BOC regulatory conference, educational meetings such as iLEAD, PAC donations, other donations or campaign contributions. NATA will not provide funds for a consultant or lawyer in addition to a lobbyist.
For more information, contact the NATA at gov@nata.org.