Yasmine Soiffer, Temple, Manhattan Community Arts Fund Grantee, 2008

2009 Program Guidelines

About The Program

The Manhattan Community Arts Fund (MCAF) supports local arts organizations and artists that have little access to other government funding sources. MCAF seeks to provide small grants for arts projects and local artists serving Manhattan communities. An MCAF grant is often one of the first grants an artist or group receives, and can help grant recipients to eventually leverage financial support from other sources. The program is designed to prepare applicants for the process of obtaining public funds. MCAF is funded by the New York City of Cultural Affairs (DCA).

How MCAF Works

Grants, ranging from $750 to $5,000, are awarded to individual artists or non-profit organizations. Through a generous funding increase, LMCC will award approximately $250,000 through MCAF this year. We expect to award approximately 150 grants. Last year the average grant was $1,200.

Assistance With Your Application

Information sessions consist of an overview of the MCAF program and guidelines, as well as a discussion of the components of a well-prepared application. First-time applicants are required to attend. Returning applicants are also encouraged to attend to help develop strong applications. Please check our list of infosessions for dates and locations. In addition, we encourage you to seek one-on-one assistance in person or on the phone from LMCC staff to address questions about your proposal.

First-time applicants are required to attend an information session.

Applicant Eligibility

Applications will be accepted from Manhattan-based individual artists or nonprofit organizations. Nonprofits, such as arts organizations, social service agencies, senior centers, faith-based organizations, folk societies and cultural centers are eligible. Applicants must meet the following criteria to apply:

• An organization must have proof of non-profit status in Manhattan
• Organizations must have operating budgets under $100,000 for two of the last three fiscal years
• Individual artists must live in Manhattan
• Projects must be implemented in Manhattan
• First-time applicants are required to attend an information session

Project Eligibility

• Ongoing or new projects in any artistic discipline for which activities will take place between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009.
• Applicants may only submit one (1) proposal requesting support for one (1) project.
• Organizations must show at least 25% of the project income from other sources.

Funding Restrictions

Under this program funding is not available for:

• Organizations receiving institutional support or program support (including council member items) from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA)
• Public school districts, affiliates or components exclusively serving student audiences such as in-school and after school programs
• Organizations requesting support for in-school Arts In Education programs
• New York State agencies and departments
• Any organization previously funded with outstanding final reports to LMCC
• Cultural activities restricted to an organization's membership; eligible projects must be promoted, and remain available, to the general public
• Proposals from educational, health or welfare institutions unless they can demonstrate a history of providing arts services
• Arts programs that are solely socio-economic, recreational, rehabilitative or therapeutic in nature
• Purchase of equipment, fundraising events or administrative expenses not related to the specific project for which funds are requested
• General operating support

Review Process

A panel of artists and arts professionals will review projects using the following four criteria:

• Artistic merit of the proposed project
• Clarity of project proposal
• Project feasibility including budget presentation and outreach plan
• Strength of support materials

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

In addition, funding priority will be given to:

• Artists and arts organizations that have applied but not received funding from MCAF for three consecutive years
• Nonprofit groups with organizational budgets of $100,000 or less

Proposals should accurately describe the project, the target audience, 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 provide 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 six weeks before your event (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 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 the Fund staff in a way that may have adversely affected the review process
• Non-presentation of information: the applicant's information was not presented by the Fund 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

1. Eight (8) unstapled 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. If applicant is an individual artist, one (1) copy of one of the following as proof of Manhattan address:
• Telephone bill
• Electric bill
• Driver's license
If applicant is an organization, one (1) copy of the following items:
• 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
• Audited financial statement for the most recent 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.

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. To save paper, double-sided copies of your application are encouraged.

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. You may include cue times in longer works if indicated clearly on your submission materials.

Do not submit original artwork.

Work Sample Formats

Submit your work samples in one of the following formats. Please contact our staff for guidance if you wish to combine formats.

Performing Arts, Film, Media Projects (2 maximum) CDs, DVDs, VHS

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 full length of work or work in progress. Please do not submit work as a Quicktime file.

The sample may be no longer than ten (10) pages of writing. The manuscript must be typed, double-spaced on 8½" x 11" white paper.

Visual Arts Projects (10 maximum) Printed Reproductions, CD/DVD of Images

A maximum of ten (10) images may be submitted. Printed images should be no larger than 8½" 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.

Submit Application & Materials To:

Manhattan Community Arts Fund
Lower Manhattan Cultural Council
125 Maiden Lane, Second Floor
New York, New York 10038

Questions?

Natasha Chuk, Program Associate, Grants & Services at 212-219-9401, ext. 117 or nchuk [at] lmcc.net

Public funds provided by: