ACBL Unit 430 Subsidy Policy
Last amended October 2023
A. Purposes of the Subsidy Policy
The purposes of Unit 430’s Subsidy Policy are:
1) to provide financial support for Unit 430 players who have won the right to attend North American Pairs (“NAP”) and Grand National Teams (“GNT”) national championship events at the North American Bridge Championships (“NABC”);
2) to provide financial support for any Unit 430 player who attends the Canadian Bridge Championships (CBC), unless the event is held within the unit;
3) for provide financial support for any Unit 430 player who has won the right, through participation at the CBCs, to represent Canada in major international team competitions;
4) to set out a clear method by which funds are raised and given out.
The objective is to encourage players to participate in national finals when they are able to do so, either by qualifying through District Finals (NAP and GNT events) or by entering one or more major CBF team events at the CBC.
B. Subsidy Funds
Unit 430 will establish a General Subsidy Fund plus specific event subsidy funds for:
1) the North American Pairs (NAP) – the “NAP Subsidy Fund”.
2) the Grand National Teams (GNT) – the “GNT Subsidy Fund”.
3) the CBC Teams events – the “CBC Subsidy Fund”, and
4) Participation in international bridge tournaments following selection to represent Canada by the Canadian Bridge Federation (“CBF”) – the “International Subsidy Fund”.
C. Subsidy Fund Management
The Subsidy Funds are handled under these rules.
D. Creation of Funds
After July 15 of each year, once the Unit finances from the previous year are finalized, the General Subsidy Fund will be credited (“July 15th Creation of Funds”) with:
1) the net proceeds of the previous year’s IMP league;
2) any amounts donated to or raised specifically for the General Subsidy Fund, including 50-50 draws at Sectional Tournaments;
3) Unused Subsidy Funds must be returned as per the Redistribution Rules;
4) Additional funds as agreed by the Unit Board.
E. Redistribution Rules
1. Only if the International fund balance is less than the amount of additional subsidy funds from the previous fiscal year, then apply this rule: For the GNT Subsidy Fund, the NAP Subsidy Fund, and the CBC Subsidy Fund, any remaining balance after subsidies for the year are paid shall be returned to the General Subsidy Fund.
2. For the International Subsidy Fund, any unused balance shall remain and accumulate until used.
F. Distribution of Funds
The Total amount in the General Subsidy Fund shall be allocated to the four Subsidy Funds as follows: GNT 20%; NAP 20%; CBC 50%; and International 10%.
G. Eligibility for Subsidies
1. To be eligible for a subsidy under this Subsidy Policy, a player must be a paid-up member of the ACBL (including Life Master Service Fees) and a member of Unit 430.
2. To be eligible for a subsidy from the CBC Subsidy Fund, a player must also be a paid-up member of the CBF.
3. For the NAP and GNT Subsidies, a player must play in the qualifying District 19 Final stage. This requirement applies to all Flights.
4. For the International Subsidy, a player must play in the qualifying CBC team event that earns the right to attend a World Championship.
5. For the CBC Subsidy, a player needs only to play in a CBC event that does not take place within Unit 430.
6. Players qualify as individuals. There is no qualification regarding partners or teammates.
7. Players who augment a team are not qualified.
H. Payment of Funds
1) The maximum amount any individual player may receive is $400.
2) For the CBC Subsidy: after the July 15th Creation of Funds is completed payments will be made to qualifying players who have attended the Previous June's CBC. The available funds will be divided evenly among all attending national Team Games. (Because the CBCs occur so late in Unit 430's fiscal year, the CBC Subsidy is paid from the following years' fund.)
3) For the GNT Subsidy: after playing in the NABC final, usually held in July, qualified players will be paid out by dividing funds equally among all players attending in all Flights.
4) For the NAP Subsidy: after playing in the NABC final, usually held in March, qualified players will be paid out by dividing funds equally except that:
(a) Flight B players will receive 50% more than Flight A players, and
(b) Flight C players will:
i. if Flight B players attend, receive 50% more than Flight B players, and
ii. if Flight B players do not attend, Flight C players will receive 100% more than Flight A players.
5) For the International Subsidy: players who have attended the World Championships for which they have qualified, will be paid out by dividing funds equally.
I. Applying for a Subsidy
Players eligible for a Subsidy must apply by notifying the Unit Treasurer or President.
J. Disputes
In the event of a dispute about the interpretation of these rules, the Unit Board's decision is final.
