About The Sundance Association
What is the Sundance Association For Country-Western Dancing?
The Sundance Association for Country-Western Dancing is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation dedicated to the promotion of country-western dancing through instruction, performance and the presentation of public dance events, without discrimination based on gender or sexual preference. The Sundance Association is a volunteer-driven, community-based organization, created in 1999 by a corps of volunteers who share a special interest in preserving country-western dancing in the Bay Area. The Sundance Association is a member of the International Association of Gay and Lesbian Country-Western Dance Clubs.
What Does the Sundance Association Do?
The Sundance Association is best known for its major project, Sundance Saloon, providing country-western dance instruction and open dancing twice a week in San Francisco. But, The Sundance Association is much more than this:
- We help to bring country-western dancing to community events such as street fairs and festivals, including the Castro Street Fair and the San Francisco Pride Festival. You'll also often find us on RSVP gay cruises, bringing the joys of country-western dancing to unsuspecting passengers.
- The annual Sundance Stompede draws hundreds of people from all over the world to participate in a full weekend of country-western dance related activities, with three days of dance workshops and four nights of dancing, including Hoedown San Francisco, our annual gala charity benefit.
- We now have a monthly Saturday night evening in the South-of-Market club Beatbox.
- In addition to our dance instruction program at Sundance Saloon, we promote education in country-western dancing through written materials and on our website. We also publicize other opportunities for country-western dance and other types of dance instruction in the Bay Area.
- We provide a vehicle for country-western dance and vocal performers to showcase their talents at special events at Sundance Saloon and in the community.
- We are dedicated to contributing to the greater gay/lesbian community by raising funds for other worthy charities. To date we have raised over $300,000 for other nonprofit organizations, including but not limited to the AIDS/Breast Cancer Emergency Fund, the Bay Area Breast Cancer Network, Positive Resource Center, New Leaf: Services For Our Community, Rainbow World Fund, Bay Area Chapter of the Golden State Gay Rodeo Association, Larkin Street Youth Services, Magnet (San Francisco AIDS Foundation), Shanti Project, National Center for Lesbian Rights, and many more.
- The Sundance Association increases the sense of fellowship within the current country-western community, and promotes a greater awareness of country-western dancing in the general community.
Why a Non-Profit Corporation?
A non-profit corporation - one which solicits the help of the community in order to benefit the community - is the best way to achieve our goals. The directors and officers of The Sundance Association are all volunteers who have no desire for any personal financial gain. A non-profit designation assures the community that all proceeds are channeled back into the various projects of the organization: by law, the directors and officers of The Sundance Association are prohibited from profiting from the activities of the corporation.
There are other distinct advantages to a nonprofit designation. We are exempt from federal and state taxes. In addition, donations made to The Sundance Association are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. (Note that fees paid to The Sundance Association in exchange for goods or services, including admission to Sundance Saloon, do not classify as tax-deductible contributions.)
As a nonprofit corporation, The Sundance Association becomes as strong as the community that supports it. Sundance Saloon, or any of our projects, would not be possible without this support.
How Can I Get Involved?
The Sundance Association belongs to all of us, and its success depends on broad community involvement. If you are not already actively involved, we appeal to you for your help.
Volunteers. We always need volunteers to help at Sundance Saloon, or with any of our various projects. Donating one hour of your time every month or two can make a difference. It's a great way to meet people, and you can feel first-hand the satisfaction that comes with contributing to our community.
Financial Contributions. Admission fees to Sundance Saloon do not cover all our operating costs, which include not only rent, but advertising, administrative costs, support of other community projects, and more. We strive to keep our admission fees affordable for everyone. Contributions from individuals like you are essential to the survival of The Sundance Association and the future of country-western dancing in the Bay Area. 20% of our income derives from direct donations and memberships. Consider donating an extra dollar or two when you visit Sundance Saloon. Of course, larger contributions are always welcome!!
Memberships. You can become a member of The Sundance Association! Memberships constitute a formal way of donating, while emphasizing the community base of The Sundance Association. Members receive some tangible benefits, such as invitations to member meetings, free passes to Sundance Saloon, discount admission to the Sundance Stompede, and the like. Members of the Sundance Association automatically belong to the International Association of Gay and Lesbian Country-Western Dance Clubs. And membership fees are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. But, the primary reason to become a member is simply to take pride in the knowledge that you are contributing to the future of country-western dancing in the Bay Area.