Arts Commission Grants for Organizations
Grant Guidelines
Application Deadline: February 15, 2008
You are advised to begin the application well in advance of the deadline.
The purpose of Annual Operating Support is to strengthen arts organizations that bring ongoing arts experiences and services to individuals and other organizations throughout the state, by providing consistent, unrestricted support for basic operations. Applicants range from emerging to established arts organizations that have a shorter planning horizon than applicants applying for Long Term Operating Support. (Note: Arts Councils may also submit a separate application for subgranting of additional SC Arts Commission funds to local applicants. Please see Subgranting guidelines for details.)
- Description
Twelve-month Operating Support for SC arts organizations with primary missions involving these artistic functions: Producing, Service, Presenting, Education.
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Eligibility Requirements
- Applicant must be a SC organization with primary mission focused on the arts (or an organization that serves as the primary arts provider in its community).
- Applicant must ALSO be
- A charitable organization currently registered with the Office of the Secretary of State that has its own federal tax exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service; OR
- A charitable organization currently registered with the Office of the Secretary of State applying through a tax exempt fiscal agent organization; OR
- A unit of local government.
- Applicant must have a valid DUNS number. All Annual Operating Support applicants must include their DUNS number on applications. Applications will not be accepted from organizations that do not have a DUNS number.
What's a DUNS number, and how do I get one?
- Restrictions
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Organizations requesting Annual Operating Support must have been in operation for at least one complete fiscal year in order to be eligible to apply. - Organizations requesting Annual Operating Support may not apply for Long Term or Quarterly Support (except for requests for staff professional development under Quarterly Support grants).
- Deadline
February 15, 2008
Applications must be submitted via the Online SC Arts Resources (OSCAR) application process by 5:00 PM on February 15, 2008. Late applications cannot be accepted because the OSCAR submissions will be blocked after the deadline. Mailed items (confirmation page, payment, IRS determination letter, and SC Charities letter) must also be postmarked by 12:00 midnight on February 15, 2008. Your application is not complete until the required mailed items are received. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed by the grants panel.
You are encouraged to begin the online application process well in advance of the deadline.
- Grant Period
July 1, 2008-June 30, 2009
- Funding Range
- There is no pre-set funding range. Awards will be based on organizational budgets, application reviews, and the availability of funds.
- Match
A minimum of 2:1 cash match is required. (grantee:SCAC). No in-kind expenses are allowed as part of applicant's match in this category.
- Grant Payments
Payment will be on a reimbursement basis only. Up to two interim payments may be requested during the grant period. An accurate Grants Payment Request Form listing only expenses allowable under the program guidelines for the certified time period must be submitted in order to receive payment for the grant award. Your first grant payment request must be submitted by December 1, 2008.
- Filing Fee
$15.00, payable by check made out to South Carolina Arts Commission OR online credit card payment
- Review Process
Please contact your SC Arts
Commission county arts coordinator for guidance on completing the
application form.
The initial SCAC staff review of applications focuses on eligibility, conformity to guidelines, and accuracy and clarity of information provided. Panels, composed of arts administrators, artists, educators, and community leaders, some of whom may not be from SC, review and rate grant applications on the basis of specific criteria listed in the guidelines. During sessions that are open to the public, the panel will discuss and rate applications. Staff then will develop funding recommendations based on these panel ratings for the SC Arts Commission Board of Commissioners, which makes final award decisions.
- Final Report
All grantees are required to file a final report at the end of the grant period. The final report due date (August 1) is printed on your contract. Failure to file a complete final report by the due date (August 1) will result in a reduction of 15% to your next year's Annual Operating Support award and repayment of funds received. Grantees who have outstanding final reports are ineligible to receive funding in any SCAC program until the complete Final Report has been received and approved.
- Application Process
The Annual Operating Support for Organizations Grant Application has been
designed for submission via the OSCAR system by 5:00 PM (EST)
on February 15, 2008. The initial application will take time to complete,
so please begin the application process well before the deadline.
If you are unable to submit your application online, please contact
your County Coordinator.
Returning OSCAR users must use their user name and password in order to access their stored grant record. First-time applicants must register with OSCAR before completing an application. You may access the application at any time and may complete
the application in phases simply by logging on via the assigned user name and password.
- Application Components, Review Criteria, and Weightings
- Section 1 - Organizational Health (25 points)
- Section 2 - Artistic Programs and Services; as they relate to the organization's mission (50 points)
- Section 3 - Public Participation (25 points)
- Organizational Health (25 points)
An organization that receives a high score on this section will
- have governance, management, and staffing appropriate and sufficient to support the work of the organization. This is not meant to imply that management and staff must be paid professionals. For many organizations, competent volunteers are appropriate and sufficient.
- have practical, appropriate methods of planning and evaluation, and
- have sufficient income to support stable programming.
- Artistic Programs
and Services, as they relate to the organization's mission (50
points)
An organization that receives a high score on this section will
- offer programs and services that are closely aligned with its mission,
- show quality in its programs and services, within the scope of its mission,
- have the capacity to provide these programs and services effectively,
- offer programs and services that are appropriate for the people, organizations, and communities for whom they are intended, and
- demonstrate a clear understanding of what "success" means for the organization and have practical strategies for reaching its goals and improving the quality of its programs and services.
- Public Participation (25 points)
An organization that receives a high score on this section will
- have a clear understanding of who its participants are;
- have varied, effective methods of engaging and maintaining participants;
- honestly assess its participation issues and have practical
strategies and partnerships for building participation,
within the scope of the mission and the current context
of the organization.
The Annual Support application is divided into three sections,
with each section assigned an overall point value:
Sections should be completed in sequential order, however, you may complete the application in phases. For many questions, you will simply pick the appropriate response from a checklist. No full narrative is required.
- Submitting Your Application
After all sections of your application have been completed, you
will submit the application electronically. The application will
not submit unless all required questions are answered. When you
submit the application, you will receive an email confirmation acknowledging
receipt of your submission.
If you are unable to submit your application online, please contact
your County Coordinator. It is important that you plan
ahead and complete the application before the February 15, 2008 deadline.
Online submission of applications will be blocked after the deadline.
It is recommended that you print and keep a hard copy of the application
for your records. SCAC will charge an additional $10.00 to supply
you with a copy of your application. DO NOT mail a hard copy of
your application to the SCAC.
- Confirmation Page and Application Fee
- a copy of the confirmation page generated by OSCAR
- a copy of your IRS determination letter (or if applying through a fiscal agent, a copy of your fiscal agent's IRS determination letter), and
- a copy of your current SC Charities letter, and
- a check for $15.00 made payable to the South Carolina Arts Commission (if you have not paid online via credit card).
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Do not submit additional support materials.
Do not submit an application narrative or cover letter.
Do not submit a printed copy of your application.
When you submit your application, you will receive
confirmation, both onscreen and via email, acknowledging that your application is submitted. The final step in the application process is printing
this confirmation page and mailing the following items to the SC Arts Commission:
IMPORTANT: Your application is not complete until the confirmation page, letters, and payment are received. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed by the grants panel.
