The deadline for the Fund for Creative Communities has passed.

These guidelines are for reference purposes only.

For additional information, please contact Gideon Unkeless, Program Associate, Grants & Services,
at 212-219-9401 x117

Download guidelines and application form and application checklist

GUIDELINES

The Fund for Creative Communities (The Fund) is part of the New York State Council on the Arts’ (NYSCA) statewide Decentralization program (DEC), which was established in 1977 by the New York State Legislature as a statewide, community arts regrant program. LMCC administers The Fund for the borough of Manhattan.

How The Fund Works
The Fund supports small and midsized non-profit organizations that provide high-quality local arts programs. The Fund also seeks to increase access to arts and cultural activities in neighborhoods throughout Manhattan and to encourage new arts activities in communities where the need exists.

Grants, ranging from $500 to $5,000, are awarded to non-profit organizations and to artists applying through a fiscal sponsor.  Through The Fund, LMCC awards approximately $250,000 each year. The most recent cycle awarded 70 grants.

Application Deadline: 5PM on Tuesday September 18, 2007.

Applicants will be notified by mail starting the first week of January 2008 whether their projects have been funded.

Applicant Eligibility
Applications will be accepted from nonprofit organizations. Nonprofits, such as arts organizations, social service agencies, senior centers, faith-based organizations, folk societies and cultural centers are eligible. Applicant organizations must:

• be based in Manhattan, and proposed activities must serve Manhattan residents
• not have applied directly to NYSCA for a grant for the same
fiscal year
• have proof of nonprofit status
• provide arts, cultural and creative programming to specific communities

Individual artists and groups may only apply through
a nonprofit organization acting as a fiscal sponsor.

First time applicants are required to attend an information session.

Project Eligibility
• Ongoing or new projects in any discipline for which activities will take place between
January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008.
• Individual artists residing in other boroughs may apply if their nonprofit fiscal sponsor is Manhattan-based and their project takes place in Manhattan. However, they will not be eligible to apply to another borough for DEC funding in FY08.
• Applicants may only submit one (1) proposal requesting support for one (1) project.

Funding Restrictions
Under this program funding is not available for:
• Organizations applying directly to or receiving funding from the New York State Council on the Arts in the same year, regardless of that application’s status
• Public school districts, affiliates or components exclusively serving student audiences such as in-school and after school programs
• New York State agencies and departments
• Any organization previously funded with outstanding final reports to LMCC
• 100% of project costs; applicants must show at least 25% of the project income from other sources
• Establishing a new organization
• Offering fellowships
• Cultural activities restricted to an organization’s membership; eligible projects must be promoted, and remain available, to the general public
• Arts programs that are solely socio-economic, recreational, rehabilitative or therapeutic in nature
• Entertainment costs, such as opening parties, receptions or fundraisers
• Payment for facilities or purchase of capital equipment
• General operating support

Review Process
A panel of artists and arts professionals will review projects using the following five criteria:

• Artistic merit of the proposed project
• Clarity of project description, including outcomes and audiences, feasibility of successful completion, and soundness of project budget
• Clarity and feasibility of proposed outreach and marketing plans
• Community benefit generated by the project
• Project accessibility

The criteria are not listed in order of priority; each is equally important.

Proposals should accurately describe the project, the communities targeted, and the project’s impact. Project budgets and budget narratives should be precise, reflect actual needs, and demonstrate the ability to raise funds from additional sources.

Grant Requirements:
The grant award is a contract for arts services; grantees are required to do the following during the grant period:

• Sign and return letter of agreement to LMCC
• Include funding credit and logos on all marketing and event materials, print and electronic
• Submit event notification form (an auditor may be present to monitor your project)
• Submit final report, no later than 30 days after completion of all project activities

Grantees who do not comply with the above requirements will jeopardize their funding status and future grant consideration. LMCC may also require grantees to submit interim reports and/or attend an LMCC Grant Clinic (one-on-one grant assistance) to maintain eligibility to apply.

Appeals Process
Applicants may appeal decisions in writing within ten (10) days of funding notifications. Applicants must request an appeal in writing, effectively arguing the case for appeals based on the criteria below. Dissatisfaction with either an unfavorable decision or the recommended level of support cannot be used as an appeal.

Grounds for appeals are limited to the following:
• Misrepresentation of information: an applicant’s information was improperly presented by LMCC staff in a way that may have adversely affected the review process
• Non-presentation of information: the applicant’s information was not presented by LMCC staff prior to or as part of the panel’s decision-making process
• Improper procedure: conflict of interest on part of a panelist

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
A complete application includes:

1) Eight (8) copies, including one original, of the following:
• Application form, completed and signed
• Brochure or one-page fact sheet outlining the mission and activities of the organization
• Resumes or brief biographies of key artistic personnel involved in your project

2) One (1) copy of the following from the applicant organization or fiscal sponsor:
• Proof of non-profit status in one of the following forms:

Form: BSM 189 from the Department of State
Certificate from the NY State Office of Charity Registration
Certificate of Incorporation under NY State Section 402 (Non-profit)
Charter issued by Board of Regents under NY State Section 216 (Education)
Letter of determination of 501(c)(3) status from U.S. Internal Revenue Service

• Staff list
• Board of Directors list
• Audited financial statement for the most recently completed fiscal year or, if unavailable, a copy of the most recently filed IRS Form 990, signed by your treasurer, bookkeeper or accountant.
• Projected organizational budget for the next fiscal year

3) Work samples in an appropriate format. See Work Sample Instructions below for more details. Label each with:
• Applicant’s name
• Sample number (e.g. Work Sample #1)

4) One set of support materials. Examples include press clippings or printed promotional materials.
(Maximum: 5 pages or 5 five printed pieces)

5) Self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) for the return of work samples (stamps only). If no SASE is included with the application, work samples will not be returned after review.
NOTE: All documents must be on 8.5” x 11” paper. Do not staple, package or bind materials. Incomplete, illegible, emailed, or faxed applications will not be reviewed. Please type your application.

Work Sample Instructions
Work samples are a critical element of your application. Prepare a well-organized presentation that best represents your work and/or the proposed project. The grant review panel will have approximately five minutes to review your work samples.

Submit samples of work created and/or presented in the last three years. Please do not submit edited promotional or interview materials.

Do not submit original artwork.

Work Sample Formats
Submit your work sample in one of the following formats:

Recordings (2 maximum)
Audiotapes, CDs, DVDs, Videotapes
Recordings must be cued to play or must include a cue time. Please cue to a portion of the recording that best represents your work and your proposed project. Do not send marketing clips—send actual work or work in progress.

Manuscripts (5 pages maximum)
Scripts, Poetry, Prose
The sample may be no longer than five (5) pages of writing. The manuscript must be typewritten, double-spaced on 8.5" x 11 white paper.

Images (8 maximum)
Printed Reproductions, CD of Images
A maximum of eight (8) images may be submitted. Printed images should be no larger than 8.5" x 11”. Digital images must be in a JPEG, GIF, or TIFF file format. Each file should not exceed 300K and should have a maximum height x width of 1000 x 1000px. Please do not send original artwork.

Submit applications to:
Fund for Creative Communities
Lower Manhattan Cultural Council
125 Maiden Lane, Second Floor
New York, New York 10038