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Grants Guidelines › Project Support

Project Support Deadlines are March 1 and September 1.

Register or Login to use GO Arts, GCAC's online application system for Project Support.

Project Support provides funding for the numerous short-term cultural activities that give Columbus its vitality. Project Grant deadlines are offered twice each year, accessible to both planned activities and newly discovered opportunities. We welcome the opportunity to support new organizations and new projects. Supporting the ever-changing potential of talent in Columbus benefits all types of art and culture in our community.

GCAC defines projects as special, one-time activities with specific implementation dates, budgets, objectives and evaluation plans. More than one event or activity may be included in one application provided the organization meets guidelines set forth in the section below on Support for Multiple Activities. Organizations may request funding for items such as personnel, outside fees and services, artists' fees, space rental, travel associated with the project, production expenses, development and fundraising costs, marketing and costs associated with audience development, and remaining operating expenses.

First-time applicants are encouraged to attend one of the semi-annual grants writing workshops conducted by the GCAC Grants Program staff, and to consult with Grants Program staff at least six weeks before each deadline. An in-person interview is required for first-time applicants. Applicants interested in multiple-year funding should consult with GCAC Grants Program staff prior to making a formal proposal.

Draft applications will be accepted for staff review up to one week before the deadline.

Types of Eligible Projects

Examples of the artistic disciplines served by GCAC are dance, design, literature, media, multi-disciplinary art, music, opera/musical theater, theater and the visual arts. Refer to the goals for the Grants Program.

General

General types of projects funded by GCAC include:

• Public performances or exhibitions
• The creation of new work
• Special initiatives designed to significantly enhance an organization's earned income potential or position in a broader market

Experimental Projects

Experimental projects will be considered for their potential to produce unique art of high quality. Although broad community support and matching funds are important to all activities, GCAC understands that the early stages of experimental projects may not show a strong record in these areas. After three years the project should show increases in audience attendance and matching funds in order to strengthen the case for continued grant funding.

Salary Assistance

GCAC may support an arts organization's request for salary assistance for a limited time. The applicant must clearly define the terms of employment and describe a concrete plan for the future funding of the position. Salary assistance is generally considered seed funding for a new position. Examples of organizations that are not eligible to apply for salary assistance include: state agencies, units of government, college or university departments, non-arts organizations and organizations that serve primarily a national or statewide constituency. These types of organizations may not include salaries or overhead costs in any request for GCAC funding.

Stabilization Grants

Stabilization programs are intensive efforts to fortify the financial and human resources of not-for-profit arts organizations. Since 1994 the Columbus Arts Stabilization Project has provided technical assistance and funding toward the creation of working capital reserves. Organizations interested in building working capital may apply for stabilization grants through the Project Support program, provided that the applicant did not receive funding for a stabilization project between 1994 and 1997 (through the Columbus Arts Stabilization Project or the Fund for Working Capital Reserves). Stabilization grants are subject to the following guidelines:

• Organizations must be committed to the development and maintenance of a good financial management plan.
• Organizations must submit a plan for matching the stabilization grant.
• Organizations must produce audited financial statements, board- or staff-certified financial statements and their most recent Federal Form 990 in order to verify base-year information for the grant. GCAC may issue confirmations of these documents.
• Organizations must have a successful record with grants from GCAC or other sources

Stabilization grants are awarded for a period of one to three fiscal years and are paid in two installments. During the grant period the reserve can be used for cash flow but must be replenished at least one month during the fiscal year. The reserve cannot be used as collateral for borrowing of any kind by the recipient organization. During the course of the grant, organizations are required to designate funds paid by GCAC for working capital reserves in a board designated fund.

Arts Education

The Grants Program may consider a limited number of arts education projects for funding, when resources are available. Eligible arts education projects:

• Are not intended for schools or for individual instruction
• Are promoted to the general public by nonprofit arts organizations
• Involve professional artists

In most cases, arts education projects will be a portion of a request for public programming. Funding may also be requested for master classes. Organizations seeking support for arts camps and after-school activities for youth may apply for artists' fees, art materials, and scholarships.

Because GCAC supports arts education through its Community Arts Education program (which includes the Artists-in-Schools program and the after-school and summer program titled Children of the Future), arts education projects will receive lower funding priority.

Support for Multiple Activities

Organizations exhibiting the following characteristics may apply for multiple activity support:

• Minimum three-year history of successful programming
• Current with all federal and state regulations for 501c3 organizations
• Code of regulations/by-laws that provide for community involvement
• High quality artistic programming
• Annual and long-term financial plans
• Commitment to paying artists, with a proven track record
• A loyal audience base that is renewed or extended with the introduction of new programming
• Ability to meet a 1:1 private match with support from individuals

Organizations requesting grants for Multiple Activities must demonstrate planning and ability to book concerts, exhibitions, or performances in advance; negotiate successfully with the intended venue; and produce materials that promote ticket sales and/or subscriptions for two or more activities.

Grants for Multiple Activities are limited to annual submissions. Funds may be used for artists' fees, administrative expenses, venue rental, marketing, and production expenses for the named productions. Priority will be placed on paying artists' fees.

A grant for Multiple Activities is not to be considered substitute for unrestricted Operating Support. No organization will be granted funds from both GCAC funding categories. However, grants for Multiple Activities are restricted to no more than 30% of the organizations' annual budget.

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Required Materials for Project Support

GCAC provides an application form for organizations to request funding. Application materials are available via fax, computer diskettes and the World Wide Web. Electronically submitted applications will not be accepted, unless otherwise notified by the GCAC Grants Office. Organizations are required to submit one copy of each document listed below:

• Project Support application form with detailed project narrative and budget
• Organizational financial information, as listed in Documentation for All Programs
• Current staff/trustees lists
• Job descriptions/ brief resumes of key personal
• Samples of work

For first-time applicants only:

• Letter of federal tax exemption
• Organizational history and philosophy

For all applicants: Avoid federal penalties. Check the status of your 501(c)(3) annually.

Recent Project Support awards.

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Project Support Application and Review Criteria

1. Public Value Statement

What needs will the project address; who will it impact; how?

Criteria:

• Needs are clearly stated
• The impact is clear and well-reasoned

Evidence:

• Public value statement

2. Artistic and Project Quality

Describe the artistic goals of this project, and how GCAC funding would further those goals. How many artists will this project serve and how will they be selected? Other than this specific project, in what way(s) does your organization engage with artists.

Criteria:

• Project goals are clearly stated.
• Quality of the artists, productions, exhibits, works of art and other project activities.
• Qualified people are involved in making programming decisions.
• Quality design is evident in graphic and printed materials.

Evidence:

• Grant narrative.
• Printed materials (programs, catalogs and newsletters).
• Press clippings.
• Resumes or bios of artists, jurors and consultants.
• Artistic documentation.
• Final Report Summary.

3. Organized Goals and Project Implementation

Describe the purpose of the applicant organization, and explain how this project strengthens that purpose. Discuss the planning process for this project and how past evaluations of previously completed projects have contributed to this process. How will this project be evaluated? If GCAC cannot award the total request, activities outlined in this application may require prioritizing; describe the effect of partial funding. Discuss any budgetary items, or elements of the financial statements, that require further explanation. Provide the total board of trustees' contribution for this project, as well as the percentage of trustees that have contributed.

Criteria:

• Project fits well within organization's mission and purpose.
• Evaluation measures are thoughtful and fit the organization's overall goals.
• Organizational demonstrates ability to plan effectively.
• Appropriate staff, board and committee members are involved.

Evidence:

• Grant narrative.
• Final report evaluation.
• Organizational plan and budget for project year.
• Job descriptions/resumes of key personnel.

4. Marketing and Audience

What is the marketing strategy for this project? What audience has been targeted and why? What is the project's plan for Columbus community participation? What evidence exists of community support for previous activities? In what specific ways will this project include underserved audiences? How many audience members will this project serve, and upon what information is this estimate based?

Criteria:

• Marketing goals and results are clearly explained and documented.
• The project audience has been identified and makes sense within context of the organization's mission.
• A realistic promotional/marketing plan is outlined.
• Public component will primarily serve residents of Columbus.
• Organization's programming and facilities comply with federal ADA requirements.
• Programs and activities are scheduled at times and locations to assure greatest public participation.
• Educational programs are open to the public.

Evidence:

• Grant narrative.
• Final report summary.
• Printed materials detailing the range of performance times, accessibility logos.

5. Income and Expense Budgets

Criteria:

• Budget is accurate and realistic for the project.
• Organization has the ability to craft reasonable annual budgets and meet financial goals.