Apply to The Fund
The deadline for 2010 Fund for Creative Communities has passed.
Applicants will be notified by mail in late January 2010 whether their projects have been funded.
If you have questions regarding your application, please contact Liza Green, Program Manager, Grants & Services at lgreen [at] lmcc.net.
Each year we update our guidelines. Please check back in early summer of 2010 for 2011 guidelines. The following 2010 guidelines are listed for reference only.
Applicant Eligibility
Applications will be accepted from nonprofit organizations, such as arts organizations, social service agencies, senior centers, faith-based organizations, folk societies and cultural centers. You must meet the following requirements to apply:
- Organizations must be based in Manhattan, and proposed activities must serve Manhattan residents
- Organizations should not have applied directly to NYSCA for a grant for the same fiscal year
- Organizations must have proof of nonprofit status
- Organizations must 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. NOTE: An organization that already receives funding from NYSCA may not act as a fiscal sponsor for this program.
- First-time applicants and returning applicants who have not attended an information session in the past three years (prior to 2006) are required to attend.
Project Eligibility
Applications will be accepted for ongoing or new projects in any artistic discipline. Projects must meet the following requirements:
- Project activities must take place between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010.
- Project activities, including the public component, must be located in Manhattan.
- 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 FY10.
- 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
- Work-in-progress showings solely for the development of new work
- Humanities projects
- Proposals requesting support solely for educational workshops; eligible projects must have a culminating event that is promoted, and available, to the general public
Review Process
A panel of artists and arts professionals will review and evaluate 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.
Applying to The Fund is a competitive process. 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 carry out 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 an event notification form at least 6 weeks before the funded 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 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:
- Eight (8) sets, including one original, of the following:
Each set consists of:- 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 the project
- 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
- Proof of non-profit status in one of the following forms:
- One set of 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)
- One (1) set of support materials. Examples include press clippings or printed promotional materials. The maximum number accepted is 5 pages or 5 five printed pieces.
- 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, we encourage you to make double-sided copies of 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.
- Do not submit edited promotional or interview materials. You may include cue times in longer works if indicated clearly on your submission materials.
- Include cue times for longer works, indicated clearly on your submission materials.
- Do not submit original artwork.
- Do not submit WMV files.
- Do not submit QuickTime files unless optimized for full screen projection.
- Do not submit stickers on DVDs or CDs as these can jam equipment.
Work Sample Formats
Submit samples in one of the following formats. Contact LMCC staff for guidance if you would like to combine formats.
- Performing Arts, Film Or Media Projects
- Submit 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 best represents your work and your proposed project. Do not send marketing clips - send actual work or work in progress.
- Literary Projects
- Submit manuscripts (10 pages maximum): Journal Entries, Scripts, Poetry, Prose:
- The sample may be no longer than ten (10) pages of writing. Unless the sample represents student-created writing samples, the manuscript must be typewritten, double-spaced on 8 1/2” x 11” white paper.
- Visual Arts Projects
- Submit 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 1/2” x 11”. Digital images must be in a JPEG format, no larger than 1000 x 1000 pixels. Each filename should be saved as “Applicant Name #” (e.g. ArtsOrg01.jpg, ArtsOrg02.jpg, etc.). CDs must be labeled with applicant name. Please do not send original artwork.
Submit Application & Materials To:
The Fund for Creative Communities
Lower Manhattan Cultural Council
125 Maiden Lane, Second Floor
New York, New York 10038
Questions?
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Contact:
Liza Green, Program Manager, Grants & Services at 212-219-9401, ext. 129 or lgreen [at] lmcc.net
