Welcome!

The mission of the Frankie Manning Foundation is to carry on the work and the spirit of Frankie Manning in spreading the joy of Lindy hop, danced to big band swing music, throughout the world.

The Frankie Manning Foundation Fund is a restricted fund administered by the Houston Swing Dance Society (a nonprofit charitable organization recognized as tax-exempt by the IRS in accordance with Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3)). Donations to the Foundation are generally tax deductible in the United States and certain other foreign jurisdictions. HSDS Federal Tax ID: 76-0532098

Frankie Manning Foundation Emergency Support Program

FMF COVID-19 EMERGENCY SUPPORT

The Frankie Manning Foundation Emergency Support Program provides $750 financial assistance for Full-time Lindy Hop professionals who have had unanticipated loss of income because of cancellations due to the COVID-19 outbreak and are now having difficulties paying for food, rent, medical bills, childcare, and other basic necessities.

Who Can Apply

1. Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to preserving and passing on the legacy of the Lindy Hop that originated in the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem.
2. 90% or more of your income must be derived from Lindy Hop related work - FMF is currently supporting Full-Time Lindy Hop Instructors, Organizers, and people whose main source of income is Lindy Hop.
3. You must have experienced a loss of 90% or more of your income as the direct result of COVID-19 cancellations for the months of March, April, and May 2020 - FMF is currently offering support for income losses for Spring 2020
4. You must be in pressing need of assistance to cover important expenses such as food, rent, medical bills, childcare, and other necessities.  FMF is prioritizing Lindy Hop Professionals with the most pressing need.

✔️ If you meet the above criteria, you are eligible to apply for FMF Emergency Support of $750. 

2020 FMF Emergency Support Application Deadline 

• Application Deadline – ⭐ April 9th, 2020 ⭐ 

The FMF supplies monies to help cover unexpected expenses directly resulting from the COVID-19 health pandemic. Applicants may apply to supplement lost income due to the cancellation of a specific, scheduled gig or opportunity (i.e. performances, contracts) due to Coronavirus/COVID-19 precautionary measures.The Fund does not cover dues to financial institutions (i.e. credit card companies, banks). 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to preserving and passing on the legacy of the Lindy Hop that originated in the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem.
• Applicants must have committed teaching, performance, or exhibition opportunities that were cancelled as a result of COVID-19, and be able to provide specific dates at the time of application.
• You must be able to show that 90% or more of your income is derived from Lindy Hop related work 
• Applicants must apply as individuals. 
• Applicants may not reapply if they have previously been denied funding in the last 6 months.
• Students (high school, undergraduate, graduate, Ph.D., doctoral candidates, and other students enrolled in any degree program at the time of application) are not eligible to apply.

FUNDING

Applicants may apply for support of $750 which will be distributed via PayPal or equivalent. Applications are subject to approval and available funds.* LH Applicants may need to claim the funds as income; please consult with a tax expert. US residents will be required to submit a W/9 form to receive these funds.

VALUES

Community: The fund will prioritize individuals who work full-time Lindy Hop in service of the local and international community. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The fund will give special consideration to support a diverse pool of recipients. 

VETTING COMMITTEE

The members of the Emergency Support Applicant Review Team are committed to assuring the privacy and confidentiality of all applications. At the same time, the names of the committee members will not be made public, freeing them to make impartial judgements and ensuring an equal playing field for all. Committee members include 9 well-respected members of the global Lindy Hop community who reflect our diversity in regard to geography, race, ethnicity, and gender. Members of the committee will consider the urgent nature of each request, the impact that the Emergency Support will have on the Lindy Hop professional’s life and the life of the Lindy Hop community, the clarity of the written request, and the strength of the application submitted.

EMERGENCY SUPPORT  DOES NOT COVER

• Reimbursement for expenses that you have already incurred
• Expenses for projects close to completion with committed exhibition or performance dates
• Deposits and registration fees for participation in an exhibition, festival, or other presentation opportunity
• Youth or educational programming
• Production of CDs, albums, or videos

WHEN TO APPLY

The Application Deadline is April 9th, 2020. To meet applicants' last-minute needs in a timely manner, FMF's Emergency Support panel will review requests as quickly and efficiently as possible.

HOW TO APPLY

Emergency Support applications are accepted through online application. Use the "save draft" option if you can't complete your application in one sitting.

NOTIFICATION

Receipts of your application will be acknowledged via an automated email. Please be aware that communication from FrankieManningFoundation.org  may unintentionally go to your Spam folder. Please do not contact FMF about the status of your application. All applicants will receive notification of the panel's decision in due course. Payments will be made within 14 days of application approval. FMF has a Programs Team that is responsible for reviewing all Emergency Support requests. We appreciate applicants refraining from calling with phone inquiries.