This program was offered in 2005, 2006 and 2007 as part of a 3-year, $5 million initiative to support and sustain the cultural community downtown. The third and final round of grants have been awarded and LMCC will no longer be accepting applications for the program.
This webpage is provided for reference purposes only.
Lower Manhattan Cultural Council is pleased to extend a Request for Proposals for the 2007 Capital Grants for Culture program. Capital Grants for Culture was developed to increase the volume and variety of arts and public programming in Lower Manhattan. We believe that attracting vibrant small to mid-sized arts organizations to Lower Manhattan and growing our impressive base of resident cultural institutions will help establish a critical mass of creative activity that will benefit Lower Manhattan as it evolves into a 24-hour community and cultural destination. The Capital Grants for Culture program is meant to complement the efforts of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation’s cultural enhancement grants to Lower Manhattan, and focuses on the need for arts and cultural institutions throughout Lower Manhattan.
Capital Grants for Culture is made possible by the generous support of the September 11th Fund.
Download full Request for Proposals, application guidelines here.
You will need Adobe Acrobat reader to view this download. If you don't have this program, you can get it here.
Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to attend an info session, where program guidelines and application instructions will be reviewed in detail, and LMCC staff will be available to answer questions. Info sessions will be held on Thursday, February 8th at 4pm and Tuesday, February 13th at 6pm, at LMCC offices, 125 Maiden Lane, 2nd Floor. Registration is required; to RSVP, click here.
3LD, 2005 Capital Grantee
General Program Description
In 2007, the program will offer two categories of support to assist established small to mid-sized cultural institutions with annual operating budgets of $5 million or less:
Capital challenge grants of up to $150,000 for the purchase, upgrade, expansion, and/or creation of new programming space and/or performance space within Lower Manhattan.
Renovation challenge grants of up to $50,000 for renovation projects that will help enhance the programmatic space and capacity of organizations within Lower Manhattan.
Please note that there will be no planning grants available this year for organizations evaluating relocation to Lower Manhattan.
Technical assistance will be available to grant recipients to assist with financing strategies, facilities project management, and fundraising campaign design for capital projects.
Program Requirements
Because equity is the scarcest financial resource, Capital Grants for Culture are intended to challenge the private and public sectors to fund capital projects alongside LMCC. Capital and renovation grant recipients will be required to raise additional restricted matching funds at a 2:1 ratio within 12 months of signing a grant contract, or by August 1, 2008. For the purposes of this program, matching funds may include cash, cash equivalents, or restricted gifts-in-kind. Capital and renovation projects must be completed within 18 months of signing a grant contract, or by December 31, 2008.
We will consider applications only from organizations that have not previously received a capital or renovation grant from LMCC, or any other capital grant supported by the September 11th Fund. Previous recipients of planning grants from LMCC may apply for capital funding.
Applicant Eligibility
Applications will be accepted from 501(c)(3) non-profit cultural organizations.
Organizations must have been in existence for at least three years.
Organizations must be located in the area south of Canal Street or in Chinatown. For the purposes of this program, Chinatown is bounded by Canal, Broadway, Delancey, Essex and Rutgers Streets.
Organizations must have a demonstrated history of financial stability and sound fiscal management, as reflected by a positive fund balance or meaningful cash reserve, and by the absence of any significant unplanned operating deficit.
Organizations must provide public programming as a significant part of their operations, including but not limited to performances, exhibitions, lecture series, film series, and classes.
Programming must be open to the general public and not restricted to an organization’s membership.
Applications will not be accepted from organizations incorporated under or operating primarily as religious institutions.
Project Eligibility
Program space must be occupied on a lease with at least five years remaining at the start of the project window.
Spaces affected by capital projects must be integral to the applicant organization’s arts activities and public programs. An eligible capital or renovation project can include incidental improvements to adjoining or related administrative space, but administrative space cannot be the focus of the grant.
Capital improvements must be of a “built-in” or permanent nature and specific to the space. These may include, but are not limited to, code corrections, disabled access improvements, electrical and plumbing upgrades for improved functionality, safety, and comfort, sprung flooring, seating, soundproofing, lighting grids, etc.
Eligible expenses for grant funds include direct costs related to the implementation of the proposed capital or renovation project, including but not limited to design fees, licenses and permits, demolition, construction services and materials, electrical system upgrades, HVAC or fire system installations or upgrades, seating installation, insulation, woodwork, and tiling.
Funding Restrictions
Capital Grants for Culture funds may not be used for the following:
To fund work that is substantially complete at time of application
In payment of long-term debt
To support operations or programming
To support any annual fund campaign
Routine and ongoing maintenance
Down payments or lease deposits
Fundraising consultants
Transportable equipment, e.g., CD or DVD players, amplifiers, furniture, etc.
Application Instructions
Download a full Request for Proposals and application guidelines here.
Review Criteria
Evaluation of proposals will be based on the following criteria:
Quality of public programming and professional record of applicant organization
Feasibility of the project, taking into account project scope, strategy, budget, fundraising, and organizational capacity and sustainability
Anticipated impact of proposed project on the quality and capacity of applicant organization’s programming
Anticipated impact of the proposed project and its relevance to the cultural life of Lower Manhattan
Review Process
Proposals will be reviewed by a panel comprised of representatives from the arts, financial, and project management fields with significant capital project experience. During the proposal review period, LMCC may contact the applicant to clarify information and pose further questions. In addition, the panel may request further LMCC follow-up with an applicant before making a final recommendation.
Applicants will receive written notification of the status of their proposals by May 30, 2007.
Award Process and Conditions of Funding Release
The grant commitment will be formalized in a contract between the grant recipient and LMCC.
Capital and renovation grant funds will be released upon receipt and approval of documentation that the required 2:1 funding match has been raised. Keep in mind that a challenge grant is meant to spur new funding.
Capital Grants for Culture Information Sessions
Dates: Thursday, February 8, 2007 at 4pm & Tuesday, February 13, 2007 at 6pm
Location: Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, 125 Maiden Lane, 2nd Floor
Registration required. RSVP now.
Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to attend an information session prior to preparing an application. Capital Grants for Culture guidelines and application requirements will be reviewed in detail, and LMCC staff will be available to answer questions.
Application Deadline
Applications must be received (not postmarked) by standard or express mail service, messenger, or hand delivery by 5pm on Tuesday, March 27, 2007.
Applications received after the deadline will be returned to the applicant. The program will not accept applications by electronic transmission (i.e., fax or e-mail). Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Submit applications to:
Capital Grants for Culture
Lower Manhattan Cultural Council
125 Maiden Lane, Second Floor
New York, New York 10038
Manhattan Children’s Theatre, 2005 Renovation Grantee.
This production photo shows the use of
their new light board, part of their renovation project.
Capital and Renovation Challenge Grant Application Instructions
Capital and renovation challenge grant proposals should include all information listed below in a single narrative format, (except where specifically noted), with supporting materials attached as requested. Please use the application checklist to ensure that your proposal is complete. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.
Please submit all information in the order provided below on 8 1/2 x 11 paper, minimum 11-point font. Please do not staple.
1. Completed Application Cover Sheet
Fill out the Application Cover Sheet.
2. Executive Summary
One (1) page executive summary of the proposed planning project, including the amount and purpose of the request.
3. Organizational Overview
One (1) page description of the mission, history, and core programs of applicant organization.
4. History of Public Programming
Narrative description of the following (2 pages maximum):
Range of public programming your organization currently provides
Ways in which programming has grown or evolved in recent years, and factors contributing to those changes
Audience figures, demographics, primary geographic service area, and any related trends noted over the last three years
Total program attendance for most recently completed fiscal or programming year
5. Schedule of Public Programming
Schedule of public programming for the most recently completed fiscal year or programming year, including the following (2 pages maximum, table format preferred):
Event attendance (based on ticket sales, audience/visitor numbers, enrollment, etc.)
Admission charge for events, where applicable
Status as a venue rental, where applicable
6. Proposed Capital or Renovation Project
Narrative description of the capital or renovation project, making sure to address the following (5 pages maximum):
The reasons for initiating a capital or renovation project and its role in any strategic planning your organization may be undertaking
Any formal or informal assessments you have carried out in preparation for this project and their outcomes, including but not limited to feasibility studies, design and engineering consultations, financial and management analysis, market analysis, site analysis, needs assessment, co-occupancy scenarios or partnership assessment, etc.
All capital or renovation activities you propose to undertake, indicating which phase of work would take place under an LMCC grant
If the capital or renovation project has already been initiated, a description of the work that has already taken place
Location, size, and other available information on the physical attributes of the space
Amount of square footage that will be dedicated to public programming, administrative space, and other activities
Details about the work to be performed by contractors and the roles of other additional staff hired for this project
Names and bios of contractors and consultants you plan to work with on this project
7. Project Timeline
Detailed timeline of capital or renovation activities to be undertaken, making sure to identify which activities will take place within LMCC’s 18-month grant period.
8. Organizational Capacity and Sustainability
Narrative description addressing the following (2 pages maximum):
Any previous experience your organization has in managing capital projects
The Board’s role in and capacity for fundraising for this capital or renovation project
Ways in which your normal operations and resources will be affected for the duration of this project
Long-term strategies for funding and maintenance of the new or renovated facility
9. Project Budget
Please provide a detailed budget for the proposed capital or renovation project, in two parts:
Detailed line-item budget of the project, indicating by asterisk which expenses would be covered by LMCC capital or renovation funds, and reflecting all sources of project income
Budget narrative providing itemization and justification of all line-item costs, indicating which income is confirmed and which is pending, and outlining a plan and potential sources for securing matching funds
10. Attachments
Please attach one copy of each of the following:
a. List of Board of Directors with professional affiliations
b. Bios of your organization’s senior management
c. List of paid full-time staff, part-time staff, and volunteers
d. Your current IRS determination letter indicating tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status
e. Most recent audited financial statements, or most recently filed Form 990
f. Total organizational operating budget for current fiscal year
g. Three organizational references, including at least one funder, listing name and affiliation, address, telephone, and e-mail
h. Statement from landlord, or other documentation showing at least five years remaining on lease
i. Up to three brochures or other sample promotional materials from past public programs
j. Architectural drawings and/or floor plans prepared as part of the project, if available
