These programs allow members of our community access to our space and resources through reduced membership dues.
The Small Business Support Program offers up to one year of partially or fully subsidized membership to local businesses.
OVERVIEW: The Small Business Support Program offers up to a 75% reduction in Professional Maker membership dues. Members also will receive discounts on space rentals, machine use, and mentorship hours.
REQUIREMENTS: Program participants are required to credit TVCOG as a sponsor, and must provide a limited amount of media for use in promotional materials.
ELIGIBILITY: This program is for pre-revenue startup businesses based at a Troy address, small businesses that have been established at a Troy address for 4 years or less and independent artists that have demonstrated a need for more affordable access to TVCOG.
APPLICATION PROCESS: Currently accepting applications. Online application form required. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and reviewed by TVCOG Staff upon receipt; applicants will be contacted regarding application status within 5-7 business days of submission. Approved applicants start the program on the 1st of the next month.
This program is made possible thanks to the Troy Now Initiative.
The Pay-What-You-Can Program offers up to one year of partially or fully subsidized membership to individuals with demonstrated financial need.
OVERVIEW: This program offers up to a 100% reduction in Super Maker membership dues (offered in 25% increments) for a period of up to 12 months.
REQUIREMENTS: Volunteer hours are required. Each program participant must complete one 4-hour shift per month for each 25% reduction in membership cost, e.g a 50% reduction in membership would have an 8-hour per month volunteer requirement, whereas a 75% reduction would have a 12-hour per month volunteer requirement. Volunteer positions vary, but options include operating the front desk/check-in station, basic organizational tasks, etc. Program members will work with the Volunteer Coordinator and TVCOG staff to determine which volunteer position best suits them.
ELIGIBILITY: Qualifying applicants must make below current Troy AMI ($39,526). No residential restrictions, but priority is given to Troy residents. All TVCOG members must be 18+.
APPLICATION PROCESS: Currently accepting applications. Online application form required. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and reviewed by TVCOG Staff upon receipt; applicants will be contacted regarding application status within 5-7 business days of submission. Approved applicants start the program on the 1st of the next month.
This program is made possible thanks to the Troy Now Intiative.
The Class Discount program provides partial and full discounts to individuals with demonstrated financial need.
OVERVIEW: This program offers discounts to adults with demonstrated financial need for TVCOG classes.
ELIGIBILITY: Qualifying applicants will have either lost 25% or more of your income since March, 2020 or make below current Troy AMI ($39,526). No residential restrictions. Ages 18+.
APPLICATION PROCESS: Please fill out a request form here. Requests should be submitted at least 5 days prior to the class date.
If you are currently a TVCOG member participating in one of our Community Access Programs, you are automatically eligible for class discounts. Please email admin@tvcog.net with the class information and requested discount amount in order to receive your online registration discount code.
This program is currently supported by the New York State Council on the Arts.
Providing significant discounts on workshops, classes, after-school clubs and field trips for Troy schools and other educational organizations in Troy who serve primarily low-income students.
OVERVIEW: This program offers discounts on educational programs for K-12 students. Offered rates are based on the number of low-income students recorded at that school by the NYS Education Department.
For example, if NYSED indicates 85% of a school’s population is low-income, TVCOG offers an 85% discount on fees for that school. Further assistance may be available; school administrators are encouraged to contact us with a statement of need if this is the case. 501(c)(3) organizations requesting discounts will be required to provide this data if it is not publicly available in order to determine discount eligibility.
ELIGIBILITY: At this time, this fund is only available to Troy-based schools and 501(c)(3) organizations in Troy that serve primarily low-income youth. Programs are available for all students in grades K-12.
APPLICATION PROCESS: Please read our School Trip Guide to get an idea of what kind of experiences we can offer your students, and contact our Programs Manager directly at admin@tvcog.net to discuss further. All field trip/workshop requests must be submitted at least 30 days in advance, and all after-school club requests must be submitted at least 60 days in advance.
This program is currently supported by the Troy Now Initiative.
CODE OF CONDUCT: All program participants are expected to abide by our Member Code of Conduct.
RIGHT OF REFUSAL: TVCOG reserves the right to dismiss any application to any program if the applicant is deemed ineligible. TVCOG also reserves the right to offer applicants entry into a different program than the one denoted as preferred on their application.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION: TVCOG reserves the right to request additional proof of income upon application receipt.
PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN/HARDSHIP MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM OFFERS: Final decisions on program offers (including program type, program length and membership level) are determined by our staff based on available program funds and the applicant’s demonstrated need. While individual preferences are taken into consideration, the final program offer may not reflect the preferences denoted in the application process. Program offers are included in notification of program acceptance, and are non-negotiable. We encourage applicants to provide a detailed statement of need on their application in order to increase the chances of being accepted into their preferred program.
The Community Access Fund is made possible by grant funders, corporate sponsors, and individual donors. Donors may choose to donate to the Fund itself, in which case funds will be allocated where needed, or you may choose to dedicate your donation to a specific program.
Current sponsors include the Troy Now Intiative, the New York State Council on the Arts, Agora Media and the Albany Society of Engineers Foundation.