CoCo Scrabble Access Fund

OVERVIEW

We care about growing the game and making it possible for all interested players to participate in Scrabble tournaments. That’s why we launched the CoCo Scrabble Access Fund. This initiative reduces barriers for players with limited financial means by giving them free Premium Memberships and free entry to tournaments. Through this initiative, we aim to increase the socio-economic diversity of our player base. 

BENEFITS

  • One year of free CoCo Premium Membership. A Premium Membership nets you $15 off the entry fee at every CoCo tournament. The more you play, the more you save.

  • Free entry for a tournament of your choice. We will send you a discount code for 100% off the entry fee for any CoCo tournament.

WHO SHOULD APPLY

We trust you to assess your own financial situation honestly so that this program can serve those who need it most. We recognize that there are a wide range of complex and sensitive variables that comprise each person’s individual financial circumstances, and that each person’s circumstances may vary over their lifetime. With that awareness in mind, below is a list of considerations to help you decide whether to nominate yourself for Scrabble Access Fund benefits.

  • I am unemployed or underemployed, and it is not by choice.

  • I have sometimes accrued credit card debt in order to meet my basic needs.

  • I have found difficulty accessing and affording healthcare for me and/or my family members.

  • I do not have a safety net of financially stable family members around me.

  • I rarely have expendable income for entertainment, travel, and/or eating out.

  • My income supports my loved ones, as well as myself.

  • I identify as queer, trans, and/or BIPOC.

  • I identify as a person with a disability.

  • I am a single parent.

  • I am not a native English speaker.

  • I am not a homeowner.

  • I have not attended private education institutions.

  • I do not have a postgraduate degree.

  • Financial barriers make it difficult for me to play as many Scrabble tournaments as I would like.

REVIEW PROCESS

After a player submits an application for CoCo Scrabble Access Fund benefits, our Review Team evaluates the application and reaches a consensus decision on what benefits to approve. The current members of the Review Team are Becky Dyer, Eric Fox, Nits Chagti, and Yuki Loritz.

OTHER INFORMATION

Currently, this program is available only to players who live in North America. You can apply for CoCo Scrabble Access Fund benefits as many times as you want. We may implement an annual or lifetime limit on funding awards in the future as needed. This program is subject to availability of funds. Submitting an application does not guarantee that you will receive Access Fund benefits. For each application, we will convene a panel of reviewers to evaluate the application.

We are very grateful to our donors for making this program possible. If you’d like to support this cause and make it possible for other players to enjoy Scrabble tournaments, we warmly welcome any donation you’re able to make.

We give huge credit to the Bouldering Project’s Access Program for inspiring the criteria we selected. We’ve had this idea in mind for a long time, and it wasn’t until we stumbled across the Bouldering Project’s Access Program that we felt we had found a compassionate approach to implement it.