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GAA CATALYST FUND TERMS AND CONDITIONS 2022/2023

OVERVIEW

ADF International (the “Sponsor” or “ADF”), is a faith-based legal advocacy organization that protects fundamental freedoms and promotes the inherent dignity of all people. ADF International has developed the “Global Advocacy Alliance (GAA) Catalyst Fund”, a €25,000 (EUR) grant to be awarded annually to support Christian founders of small businesses and / or not-for-profits (the “Fund”).

The Fund’s objective is to encourage small businesses and / or not-for-profits who propose innovative approaches to the achievement of “Five Generational Wins” identified by ADF International as follows:

  1. Religious freedom prevails – to counter the global persecution of Christians and advocate for the right of all people to freely live out their faith.
  1. All can speak freely – to defend freedom of speech – the foundation of every free and democratic society.
  1. Parental rights are guaranteed – to ensure the primacy of parental authority in decisions affecting children.
  1. Life is safeguarded – to uphold the inherent right to life under international law and support legal protections for life at the national level.
  1. Marriage and the family are protected – to defend marriage and the family and challenge practices that destroy life and break family ties.

The Fund sees an opportunity encourage a culture of entrepreneurship and competence in its network generally, and to make a difference in the lives of specific Christian entrepreneurs who are looking to progress with an innovative approach towards the achievement of one or more of the Five Generational Wins. The Fund will make one grant of €25,000 (EUR) to the venture which is the winner of a competition process described below.

The winner (and selected others) will also receive various forms of practical support, including a period of mentorship by successful entrepreneurs and have their stories told in ADF International’s various print, audio and digital distribution channels. Fund recipients will be Christian entrepreneurs with commercial acumen, able to use the financial and practical resources granted to get a good idea off the ground or increase the effectiveness of an existing venture.

THE COMPETITION

The competition process will run as follows:

  1. All prospective entrants should join and have an up-to-date profile on ADF’s Global Advocacy Alliance (GAA) platform in order to apply.
  2. Applications for the grant should be received in the electronic format prescribed by the GAA on or before Sunday 15 January 2023.
  3. An ADF International Selection Panel will review the applications and identify a shortlist of ventures to progress to the next stage in accordance with the scorecard shown at Appendix 1. Broader criteria for the evaluation of applications will be as follows:

  1. Demonstrated commitment. Applicants need not possess any specific work experience, but must demonstrate that they understand the Generational Win they are contending for and a passion to be successful. We are looking for an entrepreneurial spirit and drive.

  2. Broader goals. We don’t mind whether the venture proposed is profit or not-for-profit – we’re looking for effective and innovative approaches to the Five Generational Wins which have the potential to bring long-term change. We want to understand how the winning venture can deliver success in its first 12 months as well as the longer term.

  3. Proposed usage of the grant. Applicants may use this grant to get a new business or not-for-profit off the ground, to explore a new idea or initiative related to an existing venture, or further an existing initiative. We are looking for entrepreneurs who have set realistic (and measurable) goals, with a clear strategy to execute.

  4. Financial competence. Preference will be shown to business plans which contain a roadmap to financial sustainability of the project within a period of 3-5 years.

  5. Our ability to support. We want to select entrepreneurs who have the most to gain from what we can offer beyond the financial grant. We are offering other forms of practical support, a period of mentorship and introductions to the wider ADF network of allies with experience as relevant.

  1. Ventures who are shortlisted will be notified as such on or before 28th February 2023.
  2. Ventures who are shortlisted should expect to respond to a series of questions and information requests at the discretion of the Selection Panel during the month of March 2023.
  3. On the basis of responses received to the questions and information requests set out by the Selection Panel, the shortlist will be reduced to a maximum of three ventures.
  4. The final three ventures will be offered coaching (2x 1 hour sessions each) by successful entrepreneurs during the month of March 2023 with a view to a final “pitch” to be made on the 26th April 2023, to coincide with the ADF Areté Academy Europe Conference.
  5. The final three ventures should expect to attend the ADF Areté Academy Europe Conference to be held on the 26th April 2023 to offer a 15 minute presentation, followed by Q&A in front of a live audience and selected ADF Senior Personnel and / or Ministry Partners.
  6. One venture will be identified as the winner of the competition at ADF Areté Academy Conference.

THE WINNER

The winner will receive its €25,000 (EUR) grant and access to the various forms of practical support advertised subject to the acceptance of the terms of the “Grant Agreement” outlined at Appendix 2.

The winner is responsible for paying for any taxes due on the grant money. Exchange rates may apply. The grant payment will be made in a form as agreed between the parties. Funds shall not be disbursed into any personal bank account.

The winner i) grants ADF International and its affiliates the right to interview the winner, publish winner’s story, and publish content about the winner’s venture in print, digital, and audio outlets; ii) agrees to provide ADF International with regular progress updates and the other obligations assumed via the Grant Agreement for up to one year following the grant; and iii) grants ADF International the right to use winner’s image and business’ logo and content to promote the GAA Catalyst Fund.

ALL ENTRANTS

All entrants agree that by submitting their entry, they agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions, and the decisions of the Selection Panel which are binding and final on all matters. ADF International accepts no liability for the content of entry materials. All entrants consent to use of their name, likeness, entry of material in any manner by ADF International, its affiliates, and/or its promotional partners.

Entrants represent, warrant and agree that they are the sole creator of their entry materials. By entering and submitting entry materials, entrants also represent, warrant and agree that entrants have all rights, approvals and/or consents necessary to submit the entry materials, and that the entry materials do not infringe on the rights, copyright, or other intellectual property rights of another party.

No Confidentiality. Entrants should be aware that entry materials will not be received or held “in confidence.” Submission of entry materials does not create a confidential, fiduciary or other special relationship between you and ADF International, or any of its affiliates

ADF International is not responsible for incomplete, lost, late, damaged, illegible or misdirected submissions or for any technical problems, malfunctions of any telephone lines, computer systems, servers, providers, hardware/software, lost or unavailable network connections or failed, incomplete, garbled or delayed computer transmission or any combination thereof in connection with entries submitted.

Appendix 1: Shortlisting Scorecard to be applied by Selection Panel

Appendix 2: Grant Agreement

Dated: ________________ 2023

(1) The Founder(s)

(2) The Grantor

(3) The Venture

AGREEMENT RELATING TO

THE GLOBAL ADVOCACY ALLIANCE CATALYST FUND GRANT

PARTIES

  1. The persons whose names and addresses are set out in Part 1 of Schedule 1 (together, the “Founders” and each a “Founder”);
  2. ADF International is a charity incorporated under the laws of… with registered number… whose registered office is at … (the “Grantor”);
  3. [….] (the “Venture”).

WHEREAS

The Venture is a [company/charity], brief particulars of which are set out in Schedule 2.
The Grantor wishes to award financial and practical support to the Venture subject to the terms of this agreement.
The parties have entered into this agreement to regulate their relationship with each other.

THE GRANT

The Grantor’s objective is to encourage small businesses and / or not-for-profits who propose innovative approaches to the achievement of “Five Generational Wins” identified by the Grantor as follows:

  1. Religious freedom prevails – to counter the global persecution of Christians and advocate for the right of all people to freely live out their faith.
  1. All can speak freely – to defend freedom of speech – the foundation of every free and democratic society.
  1. Parental rights are guaranteed – to ensure the primacy of parental authority in decisions affecting children.
  1. Life is safeguarded – to uphold the inherent right to life under international law and support legal protections for life at the national level.
  1. Marriage and the family are protected – to defend marriage and the family and challenge practices that destroy life and break family ties.

THE AGREEMENT

The Grantor will make one grant of €25,000 (EUR) to the Venture in recognition of the Venture having won a competition run by the Grantor in April 2023, subject to the following conditions:

  1. The Venture will use the sums awarded for the execution of a business plan, aligned with one of the Five Generational Wins, and as described during the course of the competition.
  2. Sums will not be disbursed to any personal bank accounts save for prior agreement on agreed expenses on a reimbursement basis.
  3. The Venture may not use more than 75% of the grant for the salary / remuneration of staff.
  4. The Founder will make all reasonable efforts and endeavor to execute the plan in good faith and remain committed as such for at least 12 months following the date of this Agreement.
  5. The Grantor reserves the right to make full or partial disbursement of the Grant conditional upon the achievement of certain milestones as agreed between the parties.
  6. The Venture shall for each quarter prepare summary financial statements accounting for usage of the grant and shall deliver them to the Grantor within 30 days after the end of each quarter.
  7. The Founder shall for each quarter prepare a short written summary of key activities, progress and achievements towards the business plan and attend a Zoom call together with the representatives of the Grantor to provide a verbal update.
  8. The Founder shall respond in a timely manner to ad-hoc questions or information requests by the Grantor throughout the period of this Agreement.
  9. Receipt of the grant does not constitute employment or other legal relationship between the Grantor, the Founder or the Venture, subject to any individual agreements in individual cases. Services of ADF International are limited to those specified in the TERMS AND CONDITIONS 2022/2023 or this agreement.
  10. This Agreement shall survive and be in-force for a period of 12 months.
  11. The Founder and / or its selected representatives commit to attending the Areté Academy to be held in April 2024 to present its achievements by that time. The Grantor will pay the reasonable travel and accommodation expenses associated with the trip.

OTHER ITEMS

The Grantor has also committed to make the following forms of practical support available and pursuant to this Agreement, will not unduly withhold:

  • Introduction to sector experts and other key contacts in the industry or geographical territory within which the Venture proposes to participate.
  • Use of the ADF Office facilities in Vienna or other geographies as required (for meetings etc.) by the Venture on up to four occasions per year. The Venture should liaise with relevant staff members in advance of such office visits.

 

SCHEDULE 1

[Name and particulars of Founder(s)]

SCHEDULE 2

[Name and particulars of Venture]