GraphQL Grant Program Refresh (#1624)

Author: benjie

Diff for: src/content/blog/2024-03-07-graphql-community-grant-refresh.md

@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+---
+title: "Supporting Contributors: The GraphQL Community Grant Program Refresh"
+tags: ["blog"]
+layout: blog
+date: 2024-03-07
+byline: Jory Burson and Benjie Gillam
+permalink: /blog/2024-03-07-graphql-community-grant-refresh
+---
+
+The GraphQL Foundation is thrilled to announce significant updates to our
+Community Grant Program, now more streamlined and aligned with the foundation's
+core projects!
+
+## Improved process
+
+We've revamped the application process to accept submissions
+year-round, ensuring your innovative ideas get the attention they deserve
+promptly. Our focus is sharper than ever, with grants specifically aimed at
+projects tied closely to the GraphQL Foundation's efforts, including
+code and documentation contributions to [our repositories on
+GitHub](https://github.com/graphql) and enhancements to the
+[graphql.org](https://graphql.org) website.
+
+Rather than our previous twice-annual review process, our new process will
+perform basic appropriateness checks on a much higher cadence, and will pass
+suitable applications to the TSC for review. This should result in faster
+turnaround times, ensuring that your critical work gets the support it needs
+when it needs it!
+
+## Apply now!
+
+Whether it's completing an important RFC task, polishing a major pull request,
+educating users with excellent content and documentation, engaging in community
+advocacy, or improving the user experience on our platforms, we're looking for
+your unique contributions. Don't miss this chance to make an impact on the
+GraphQL ecosystem.
+
+For a detailed overview of the grant scope, application guidelines, and how
+your project can contribute to the GraphQL community, we invite you to visit
+[our dedicated program page](https://graphql.org/foundation/community-grant/).
+
+Join us in shaping the future of GraphQL; [apply
+today](https://graphql.org/foundation/community-grant/) and make your mark!

Diff for: src/content/foundation/CommunityGrantProgram.md

@@ -1,72 +1,120 @@
 ---
 title: GraphQL Community Grant
 sidebarTitle: Community Grant
-heroText: The GraphQL Community Grant program helps the GraphQL Foundation invest directly into the success, health, and sustainability of our ecosystem.
+heroText:
+  The GraphQL Community Grant program helps the GraphQL Foundation invest
+  directly into the success, health, and sustainability of our ecosystem.
 layout: foundation
 category: GraphQL Foundation
 permalink: /foundation/community-grant/
 sublinks: How to apply,FAQs
 next: /foundation/contact/
 ---
 
-The GraphQL Community Grant program is funded by the GraphQL Foundation and administered by the [GraphQL Technical Steering Committee (TSC)](https://github.com/graphql/graphql-wg/blob/main/GraphQL-TSC.md). The goal of the program is to provide financial support and incentives for key technical and community initiatives.
+The GraphQL Community Grant program is funded by the GraphQL Foundation and
+administered by the [GraphQL Technical Steering Committee (TSC)][tsc]. The goal
+of the program is to provide financial support and incentives for key technical
+and community initiatives within the GraphQL Foundation's projects.
 
-The GraphQL Community Grant program accepts applications on a quarterly cycle. Grant applications are reviewed by the TSC based upon funding that is received as membership dues for the GraphQL Foundation. This is one way in which the GraphQL Foundation directly supports the ongoing health of the GraphQL developer ecosystem.
+The GraphQL Community Grant program accepts applications at any time and reviews
+them at least twice per year. Grant applications are reviewed by the TSC based
+upon funding that is received as membership dues for the GraphQL Foundation.
+This is one way in which the GraphQL Foundation directly supports the ongoing
+health of the GraphQL developer ecosystem.
 
-We would like to encourage you to be creative in your grant application, and propose tasks that are straightforward to articulate, achievable in three months, and bounded in scope.
+We would like to encourage you to be creative in your grant application, and
+propose tasks that are straightforward to articulate, achievable in three
+months, and bounded in scope.
 
 Examples include:
 
-- Finishing an outstanding feature that has been untended
-- Community gardening, such as clarifying documentation of community processes, getting started guides for newcomers, maintaining "Good first issue" lists, or organizing a community collaboration.
-- Community advocacy, such as writing a deep-dive blog documenting a specific feature, writing a whitepaper, or creating an outreach program.
+- Finishing an outstanding RFC task that has been untended
+- Getting a major pull request to a Foundation project ready to be merged
+- Community advocacy, such as writing a deep-dive blog documenting a specific
+  feature, writing a whitepaper, or developing newcomer onboarding guides and
+  materials
+- Other user experience improvement ideas for the [graphql.org][] website and/or
+  [github.com/graphql][].
 
 ## How to apply
 
-The GraphQL Community Grant Program [accepts applications at any time](https://grant-application.graphql.org), and evaluates all undecided applications four times per year. All applications will be closed after an evaluation cycle has completed. Applicants may re-apply at any point.
+The GraphQL Community Grant Program [accepts applications at any
+time][application-form], and evaluates all undecided applications at least twice
+per year. All applications will be closed after an evaluation cycle has
+completed. Applicants may re-apply at any point.
 
-To apply, please complete the [GraphQL Community Grant Program application](https://grant-application.graphql.org).
+To apply, please complete the [GraphQL Community Grant Program
+application][application-form].
 
 ## FAQs
 
 ### Do I need to be developing the specification or code to apply?
 
-While we anticipate most applications will be for new technical development, we also encourage applications for community-building activities. Examples include community gardening and neutral advocacy for GraphQL adoption.
+While we anticipate most applications will be for new technical development and
+documentation, we also encourage applications for community-building activities.
+Examples include community gardening and neutral advocacy for GraphQL adoption.
 
 ### What work is expected?
 
-Applications should describe work that can be completed in two to three months. Additionally, we'll ask you to write a blog post report after three months describing your work and its impact on the GraphQL community.
+Applications should describe work that can be completed in two to three months.
+Additionally, we'll ask you to write a blog post report after three months
+describing your work and its impact on the GraphQL community.
 
 ### What amount of money is available per grant?
 
-The grant amount offered will depend on our available funding and the number of approved grants per cycle. Individual grants are expected to be between $1,000 and $10,000 USD.
+The grant amount offered will depend on our available funding and the number of
+approved grants per cycle. Individual grants are expected to be between $1,000
+and $10,000 USD. When you apply you can select what size of grant you feel would
+be appropriate, but if approved you may be offered a different amount and it
+will be up to you if you wish to proceed or not.
+
+### When can I expect to receive a response about my application?
+
+We will review applications at least twice per year, on our about the end of May
+and on or about the end of November. However, we will endeavor to review
+applications as they come in and you will receive a response within 2 months of
+review.
 
 ### How often can I apply?
 
-You can apply one time per cycle. You can apply in every cycle regardless of whether you had a past application selected or closed in a prior cycle.
+You may only have one grant application open at a time, but otherwise as
+frequently as you like.
 
 ### Who is eligible?
 
-Any individual working in the GraphQL developer community who can receive a payment from a US-based
-organization. Please note that this program is not work-for-hire, and this is not an employment arrangement.
+Any individual working in the GraphQL developer community who can receive a
+payment from a US-based organization. Please note that this program is not
+work-for-hire, and this is not an employment arrangement.
 
 _Only individuals are eligible to receive funding._
 
 ### Are there any restrictions on what I produce?
 
-Yes. All outcomes from the grant must be for the benefit of the GraphQL community, meaning that code
-must be contributed to public repositories under an appropriate open source license (generally MIT).
-Publications and documentation should be available to the public and not behind a paywall. We also
-expect every recipient to write a blog post summarizing the work they've done and how it benefits
-the community at large.
+Yes. All outcomes from the grant must be for the benefit of the GraphQL
+community, meaning that code must be contributed to public repositories under an
+appropriate open source license (generally MIT). Publications and documentation
+should be available to the public and not behind a paywall. We also expect every
+recipient to write a blog post summarizing the work they've done and how it
+benefits the community at large.
 
-In summary, the GraphQL Community Grant Program is for the benefit of the GraphQL community. We want
-everything that is produced under this program to be usable by our community.
+In summary, the GraphQL Community Grant Program is for the benefit of the
+GraphQL community. We want everything that is produced under this program to be
+usable by our community. Currently we're primarily interested in work that
+directly improves the GraphQL Foundation projects.
 
 ### Do I have to sign anything?
 
-Yes, if your proposal is selected you will need to sign the GraphQL Grantee Agreement ([preview](https://grantee-agreement-preview.graphql.org) in order to receive the funding. It is your responsibility to read and understand the contents of the agreement.
+Yes, if your proposal is selected you will need to sign the GraphQL Grantee
+Agreement ([preview][agreement-preview] in order to receive the funding. It is
+your responsibility to read and understand the contents of the agreement.
 
 ## More information
 
-If you have questions, please contact [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]).
+If you have questions, please contact [[email protected]][].
+
+[tsc]: https://github.com/graphql/graphql-wg/blob/main/GraphQL-TSC.md
+[graphql.org]: https://graphql.org
+[github.com/graphql]: https://github.com/graphql
+[[email protected]]: mailto:[email protected]
+[agreement-preview]: https://grantee-agreement-preview.graphql.org
+[application-form]: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSciopqGoQE2hBhxsb5E6dq12VrD221Zv4dsGWa1nQM35FT1nA/viewform?usp=sf_link