DSUSA Chapter Network

• National Leadership
  Opportunity to be a part of a national voice on matters central to adaptive sports movement
• Grant Program
  Eligibility to apply for grants in support of programs, training/education, and equipment. DSUSA distributes an average of $1.5 million annually to its chapter network through the Grant Program
• Insurance Program
  Access to affordable group Commercial General Liability insurance, Directors & Officers, and Employment Practices Liability insurance for qualifying organizations
• Training & Education
  Discounted training and education opportunities, athlete protection, sport training and webinars through the Adapt2Achieve program
• Partnerships
  Join a national network of more than 130 chapters, big and small. Chapters are eligible to participate in several partnership opportunities, including but not limited to sponsor engagement, volunteer opportunities, and activation events.
• Chapter Toolkit (Updates Pending)
  Access to online resources and tools
• Marketing & Promotions
  • Ability to submit articles and announcements about your activities in Disabled Sports USA’s national publication, Challenge Magazine (circulation of over 32,000). Access to free subscriptions for your members
  • Promote your programs, events and employment opportunities through DSUSA’s website and social media outlets (20,000 unique website visitors each month)
  • Permission to use Disabled Sports USA’s registered service mark tagline: If I can do this, I can do anything!

All certified chapters of Disabled Sports USA are responsible for the following in order to maintain its chapter certification.

Organizational Requirements

• Chapter Dues
  Each chapter is responsible for annual membership dues. Dues are solicited in June of every year.  New chapters brought on between June-December will be invoiced for their first dues shortly after their certification.  New chapters brought on between January-May will be invoiced in June.
• Demonstrate that programming is offered in a safe and accessible environment
  Provide information related to athlete protection protocols, training, screening, and qualifications of
  instructors/coaches/volunteers
• State of Incorporation Registration
  Each chapter must be incorporated as a corporation and maintain current registration as a charity in their state of incorporation and the state where their business headquarters is located, if they are not the same
  
• 501(c)(3) Tax Exempt Status
  All chapters must maintain 501(c)(3) non-profit tax exempt status in order to be a chapter in good standing

Insurance Requirements

• Proof of Insurance
  All chapter must carry Commercial General Liability Insurance in an occurrence format in an amount of no less than $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 per annual aggregate with no “participant or spectator exclusions”, covering liability arising out of premises operations, personal and advertising injury, products completed operations, contractual liability and independent contractors.  A Certificate of Insurance evidencing proof of all insurance required and naming Disabled Sports USA, Inc. (DSUSA) as an Additional Insured must be furnished to DSUSA annually.

Financial Requirements

• Annual IRS Filing
  File annual returns with the IRS and provide a current copy of Form 990, 990‐EZ or 990‐N to Disabled Sports USA to demonstrate compliance (should be submitted within 30‐days of the IRS filing)

Marketing & Communications

• Chapter Contact Updates
  Contact DSUSA Chapter Service Manager to notify them of any changes in leadership staff via email or Chapter Contact Update Form (i.e. Executive Director, Program Director, Board President, etc.)
• DSUSA Logo Compliance
  Chapters must display the Disabled Sports USA “chapter of” logo, pursuant to the Logo Style Guide and may not be altered

• Reflect the mission of DSUSA
  “To provide national leadership and opportunities for individuals with disabilities to develop independence, confidence, and fitness through participation in community sports, recreation and educational programs.”
• Independent 501c3 / Non-Profit Organization
  Provide IRS determination letter, articles of incorporation, bylaws, and proof of registration as a charity in state of operation
• Offer direct sports programming to athletes with permanent disabilities
  Must have conducted programming for minimum of 12 months for a minimum of 20 unique participants prior to chapter application, and have an active online presence (i.e. website required, social media optional)
• Demonstrate that programming is offered in safe and accessible environment
  Provide information related to athlete protection protocols; training, screening, and qualifications of instructors/coaches/volunteers
• Demonstrate sound financial guidelines
  Provide most current 990, 990-EZ or 990-N
• Demonstrate competent governance
  Provide list of board members and two organizational reference letters
• Carry Commercial General Liability Insurance
  Provide proof of CGL with minimum limit of $1,000,000 per occurrence limit and $2,000,000 aggregate limit, and 5 year Loss Run Reports for all policies held

• Complete online application
  Please carefully review the list of Applicant Requirements above before beginning the online application.  Applicants have 30 days from the date of the primary submission to complete the application and deliver any requested materials not included in the online submission.  If the application remains incomplete after that time, it will no longer be considered.
• Application cycles
  DSUSA accepts applications for chapter twice a year
  December 1 – February 28 | May 1 – June 30