What is Rhythm & Roots?  

Rhythm & Roots Marketing, Inc. is a donor-funded non-profit 501 (c)(3) dedicated to rebuilding square and round dance club membership nationwide. Rhythm & Roots offers marketing services to attract potential new dancers for organizations by reaching out to individuals aged 10 and above through modern marketing methods and techniques, with the goal of reviving square and round dancing. We offer grants to individuals (primarily round dance instructors), square and round dance clubs, and organizations. We will also provide paid services, billed for direct costs (with no overhead).

Services include:

• Creating and Updating Social Media
• Creating modern themes and material for marketing dance lessons through digital, print, and other media.
• Strategies for clubs on how to develop effective means to increase membership and bring in youth and younger adults to keep square dance going through the generations in their local community. 
• Free marketing training resources
• Free videos promoting square dancing for your use (coming very soon!)

How much is the grant? 

Our grants are not for cash but for marketing services.  The marketing grants have an actual value of at least $1,000. Grants can be used to market initiatives to attract new dancers to the square and round dance community.  

What events qualify?

We offer marketing service grants for activities that increase attendance at square and round dance classes. This goes beyond just advertising classes. Eligible events include community hoedowns, which let people try dancing with no cost or commitment. These events help build interest and collect contact information for future class marketing. Any activity that generates contacts for promoting dance lessons will likely qualify.

Who can apply?

Any club, individual, or organization offering modern square or round dance classes.

Applicant responsibilities?

• A $100 co-payment at grant approval.
• A single contact to work with us.
• Providing club logo, colors, pictures, videos, event details, and local info to help us target advertising.
  If the $100 is difficult, we can discuss other arrangements on a case-by-case basis.
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  • Focus on entry-level (SSD, Mainstream) lessons for new dancers
  • Use the funds for marketing services that will help reach and train potential club members.
  • Be open to modern marketing methods, including, where appropriate, changing theme colors, logo and outreach strategy, including participating in social media.
  • Appoint someone as your main contact who is easy to work with and responsive to our inquiries
  • Consider our cost-cutting recommendations

Does the grant include a new website?

No, it does not.  

Lead time to apply?

Apply at least three months before your event. This allows time to process the grant, plan the campaign, and run it effectively. The earlier you apply, the better your chance, since resources are limited.

Decision time?

Most grant applications are reviewed within one month.

Questions?

Contact us about Rhythm & Roots, the grant, or marketing services.