FAQ: How is SANCA Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic?
Dated: January 6, 2021 (new text is in RED)
Yesterday, Governor Jay Inslee announced that SANCA can reopen beginning January 12, 2021, based on new Healthy Washington guidelines.
When will SANCA start offering classes again?
In order to give students time to enroll, SANCA will open classes beginning Sunday, January 17, 2021. Classes will be offered in a four-week session. Students must enroll in all four weeks of a class. Please see our updated COVID Policy page for details about how we are complying with state COVID guidelines.
When can we enroll in Winter Session classes?
SANCA will open enrollment beginning Friday, January 8, at 10:00 A.M. Students can enroll online at sancaseattle.org or by calling (206) 652-4433. This four-week session will run from January 17 through February 13, 2021. Online classes will continue to be available throughout.
Will SANCA survive this latest closure and the uncertain future?
Despite the many challenges the pandemic and closures have caused SANCA, the short answer is YES, we will survive. In 2020, the SANCA community has stepped up generously with record-breaking levels of giving. Individual giving has doubled from 2019 levels ($184,109) to nearly $400,000 this year. Overall, contributed income – which includes COVID relief grants, foundation giving, employer matches, and the federal government’s PPP loan (forgiven) – has reached nearly $1 million. That’s up from $466,088 in 2019.
This is incredible! SANCA’s supporters and students – all of YOU – have made it possible for SANCA to survive the pandemic’s closures and reduced operations. Not only is SANCA able to survive to now, it has built a reserve that will help us weather the storm even if pandemic restrictions continue for all of 2021. We are so grateful for this generous, loving community!
We still have work to do, though. SANCA’s earned revenue losses exceed $900,000 in total, and will likely continue to grow. So the overall losses are greater than the increased giving, but we have also done everything we can to reduce and eliminate expenses. SANCA will end 2020, somewhat miraculously, with a surplus.
SANCA still needs your help. Our Fall Appeal is ongoing through December 31. Your gift before the end of the year will support SANCA in this time of need, help us continue to offer online classes and limited in-person classes (when permitted and safe), provide scholarships to low-income youth, and support our incredible staff. You can support circus classes for our community at www.sancaseattle.org/give.
Since this last update, our year-end appeal has continued this level of success as SANCA supporters like you helped us reach a $15,000 match. We also have been approved for a grant from the State of Washington specifically for COVID relief of $12,500. We will have final numbers on all 2020 giving later in the winter.
What is the plan for the Up With a Twist event?
SANCA’s big glamorous fundraiser usually occurs in February each year. The 2020 event was a huge hit! Due to the pandemic, Twist is postponed to late summer or early fall 2021. SANCA leadership is waiting until later in the Winter or early Spring to make a determination if the event will be held in-person like always, or if it will be conducted as an online streaming show.
What safety measures are in place when the gym reopens?
To ensure the safety of our students, staff, and surrounding community, and in consideration of public health, SANCA has developed and continually updated new policies and procedures in regards to sanitation and social distancing to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Masks are required. No one will be admitted to SANCA without a mask that covers the nose and mouth. Masks must be worn inside the facility, even when working out.
Learn about all of SANCA’s safety procedures during the COVID pandemic.
What else is SANCA doing to recover lost revenue?
SANCA’s leadership has been incredibly busy, even during full closures, as they seek out and apply for relief grants and other means of support. We have monitored and applied for just about every available avenue of support and relief funding, including the State of Washington’s recent offering to support restaurants and fitness centers shutdown by the recent closure.
If you are aware of other sources of support that SANCA should approach, please let us know by emailing Development Director Jeff Deveaux at jeff@sancaseattle.org.
If you have additional questions about SANCA’s financial status or wish to see financial reports, please contact Executive Director John Tannous at johnt@sancaseattle.org.
Dated: January 6, 2021. This FAQ will be updated regularly.