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SC Arts Commission Grants Programs

Purpose
The mission of Cultural Visions is to work with local organizations to strengthen leadership, advocacy, and grassroots activism to achieve the vision. Program Vision, Background and Partner Agencies

Goals of Cultural Visions

1. Identify, organize, and use technical resources to assist underserved communities in achieving the vision.
2. Demonstrate and promote the benefits of a healthy cultural community for economic development in South Carolina.
3. Continually adapt the coordinating council to achieve partnerships between cultural and economic agencies and organizations and local entities.

Types of Grants

IMPORTANT NOTE: A preliminary Intent to Apply questionnaire and proposed project description must be submitted before you are eligible to apply for a Planning or Implementation grant. Information about submitting your Intent to Apply is provided below. Please read the entire program guidelines before submitting an Intent to Apply.

Planning Grants are available for initial planning to help determine project potential, and advanced planning to aid in developing a plan that leads to a project. Initial planning grants are made up to $2,500 and advanced planning grants up to $10,000.

Implementation Grants are for use to help create a cultural and arts project that has an economic impact of some kind. Because there is an economic component, the application asks you to think of the project as a business. Consequently the narrative solicits information not dissimilar to what a business would prepare in a business plan. If this kind of planning is foreign to you, we encourage you to involve local small business and economic development professionals who will be more familiar with the approach we ask you to take. Implementation grants are made up to $20,000.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant must be:

• located in an underserved area* as defined by the Cultural Visions Council, OR
• a unit of government, OR
• a charitable organization currently registered with the Office of the Secretary of State of South Carolina that either has its own federal tax-exempt status with the IRS or applies through a fiscal agent.

* For the purposes of this program, an underserved area is defined as one that does not have an extensive history of or involvement with cultural programs, services, resources or economic development initiatives.

Restrictions

1. Generally, applications requesting support for community festivals and "bricks and mortar" projects will not be considered.
2. Applicants must agree to host a visit from members of the Cultural Visions Council, if requested.
3. An Intent to Apply must be submitted and approved before an organization is eligible to apply for a Planning or Implementation grant.

Deadlines & Grant Periods

May 15 for projects beginning July through September

August 15 for projects beginning October through December November 15 for projects beginning January through March February 15 for projects beginning in April through June

• Intents to Apply must be submitted 30 days before the next quarterly application deadline.
• Implementation grants may last up to 15 months from the beginning of the contract period.

Applications must be postmarked or hand-delivered to the SC Arts Commission offices before 5:00 PM, no later than the stated date, or, when the deadline occurs on a weekend or holiday, no later than the next business day.

Funding Ranges

Initial Planning Grants: Up to $2,500

Advanced Planning Grants: Up to $10,000 Implementation Grants: Up to $20,000

Match

1:1 (applicant:SC Arts Commission); 50% of the applicant's match must be cash.

Grant Payments

Payment will be on an expense reimbursement basis only. Grantees may submit a maximum of two interim payments, totaling no more than 80% of the grant award. Final grant payment will be released upon receipt and approval of grantee’s final report.

Filing Fee
None

Review Process

Please contact your SC Arts Commission county arts coordinator for guidance on completing the application form.

The initial staff review of applications focuses on eligibility, accuracy and detail of budget, clarity of narrative, completeness of packet, compliance with grant requirements, and confirmation of required support materials. Members of the South Carolina Cultural Visions Council review and rate grant applications on the basis of specific criteria listed in the guidelines. The Cultural Visions Council makes the final funding decisions based upon their review.

Final Report

All grantees are required to file a Final Report (PDF) (How To Use PDFs) at the end of the grant period. The Final Report Due Date is printed on your contract. Failure to file the final report by the due date will result in cancellation of the award and repayment of funds received. SCAC will not fund applicants who have outstanding final reports. Submit only original final report forms with original signatures. Do not submit copies or fax your final report form.

Intent to Apply - First Step in the Application Process

1. If you are interested in pursuing support under the Cultural Visions program, you must complete the Intent to Apply Questionnaire.
   
   
2. Then, on a separate sheet, provide a brief description of your project idea. The Intent to Apply is not intended to be a detailed proposal. That may come later. Your description here should not exceed one page. Simply outline the opportunity that you see for arts and economic development to benefit an underserved community. Describe the activities you have in mind, where and when they would take place, who would lead the effort, who the key partners would be, and what kinds of benefits the project would provide to your community.
   
   
3. Mail your completed questionnaire, along with the one-page project description to: Cultural Visions Intent to Apply, SC Arts Commission, 1800 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC 29201. An Intent to Apply must be submitted and approved before you are eligible to apply for a Planning or Implementation grant. The Intent to Apply must be submitted 30 days before the next quarterly application deadline. Intents to Apply received less that 30 days from the next quarterly deadline will be considered for the following quarterly deadline (three months later).
   
   
4. Your Intent to Apply will be reviewed to determine if your project is eligible for Cultural Visions funding consideration. Applicant MUST be available to appear before the Cultural Visions review committee after the letter-of-intent is accepted. The review committee usually meets in Columbia every three months. You will then be notified to submit a complete application for a Planning or Implementation grant or you will be advised that your project idea is ineligible for funding.

For Planning and Implementation Grants:

1. Three Forms

   Originals, completed and signed. Forms are in Portable Document Format (PDF). How To Use PDFs

   
   
   • Grant Application for Organizations.
   
   
   • Organization Profile. Statistical information for the Service Area Profile section is available at www.census.gov. Select "SC" under State & County Quick Facts, then select your county.
   
   
   • Detailed Budget for your project. Itemize all expenses and sources of revenue.
   
   
2. Narrative
   • Applicants complete either 2-A for Planning Grants or 2-B for Implementation Grants.
   • All applicants must also submit items 3-6.
   • Each item in the Narrative should be identified by the appropriate number/letter and topic heading.



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2-A. Narrative for Planning Grants

The Planning Grant narrative should not exceed 3 numbered pages, and is composed of two parts.




Part One
Community Arts, Demographic and Economic Profile


In Part One we are looking for evidence that the community to be served has the potential for long-range economic impact through arts initiatives. Involving local economic development organizations in the project will help your application.



1. Describe the existing arts resources, including individual artists and arts organizations that could be utilized.


2. Provide statistical information relating to the characteristics of human populations, with reference to size, growth, and the economic base. Include information on the geographic service area of the community and applicant with respect to age groups, ethnic and other diverse populations, types of employment, and the capacity for expansion or decline for both economic and population base. You can find this information at the U.S. Census Bureau's State & County QuickFacts page and through your local government, county economic development office, Chamber of Commerce, and Council of Governments.



Part Two:


Planning Design and Technical Needs


In Part Two we are looking for evidence that there exists a readiness and capability to plan; that the plan design is feasible, well-suited and respects and promotes cultural diversity; and that there are adequate financial and personnel resources to carry out the process. You may include letters of support from other community organizations.



1. Define the purpose of the planning effort and identify strategic issues.
2. Outline the elements of the process, and describe how each will be carried out. Include a timetable and a list of specific planning tasks, stating who is responsible for each, how each task will be accomplished, what information is needed, and for what purpose.
3. Address how ethnic and diverse populations will be included.
4. Identify areas of technical assistance needed.
5. Include a list of planning participants and the organizations they represent.



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2-B. Narrative for Implementation Grants

The Implementation narrative should be no more than five pages. It has four distinct sections: 1) the description of the project, 2) the marketing plan, 3) the management plan and 4) the financial management plan.




Section One: Project Description

In this section, provide a detailed description of the project. You might ask yourself, "What business am I in?" In answering this question include your product(s), market or service as well as a thorough description of what makes it unique. Generally, explain the following:



1. What is your product, service or what product or service will be created as a result of your project? Be sure to clearly describe the arts component.
2. Is this a new business, a project of an existing organization, or an addition to an existing effort? Will you need licenses or permits to carry out the project – for instance, a business license?
3. What community needs are being addressed and how were these needs assessed?
4. What measurable changes will take place?
5. How will the project generate economic activity? What kind of activity? How will it grow over time?
6. Describe how the project will reach and involve underserved populations.
7. What makes this product or service unique and why will it appeal to people? Emphasize any special features you believe make it appealing.
8. Identify your goals and objectives and why you want to do this project.





Section Two: Marketing Plan

Marketing plays a vital role in successful ventures. The key element of a successful marketing plan is to know your customers -- their likes, dislikes, expectations. By identifying these factors, you can develop a marketing strategy that will allow you to arouse and fulfill their needs.





The marketing plan section has three components: identifying your customers, knowing the competition (if any), and knowing how you will advertise or promote.



1. Identify the Customers
   Tell us who your customers will be by answering the following questions.
   
   1. Who are your customers? Define your target market(s).
   2. What have you done to learn about your market(s)?
   3. Are your markets growing? steady? declining?
   4. How will you attract, hold, increase your market share?
   5. What pricing strategy have you devised?
   
   


2. Identify the Competition
   We compete for jobs, promotions, scholarships to institutes of higher learning, in sports - and in almost every aspect of your lives. It is important to know your competitors. Tell us about the competition by answering the following questions.
   
   1. Who are your five nearest direct competitors? (Competitors are those offering similar or related kinds of products or services.)
   2. Who are your indirect competitors?
   3. Are their businesses: steady? increasing? decreasing?
   4. What have you learned from their operations? from their advertising?
   5. What are their strengths and weaknesses?
   6. How does their product or service differ from yours?
   
   
3. Advertising and Promotion
   How you advertise and promote your goods and services may make or break your project. Describe how you will promote your project, goods or service. Describe how this will occur over time to maintain the impact of your project. For instance, describe how you will use radio, newspaper, television, direct mail, the internet, word of mouth, or other forms of advertising or promotion.



Section Three: Management

Management, along with your marketing and financial management plans, sets the foundation for and facilitates the success of this project. Describe project management by answering questions such as these:


1. Who are the key personnel for this project (management team and other key players)? For each person, describe specific project duties and their qualifications/experience appropriate to those duties.


2. What are the overall strengths and weaknesses of this team?


3. How will you compensate for the weaknesses?


4. Besides these key players, what are your current personnel needs?


5. How will you obtain feedback to know if your project is succeeding?


6. How will you measure the success of your project?


7. How will you measure the economic impact of the project?






Section Four: Financial Management


One of the forms you submit is for your budget. That form is specific to the proposed grant project activities. In this section, we are asking for a financial management plan which addresses all startup and ongoing income and expenses for your business.

Applications for new projects should include both a start-up and operating budget. If you are applying for a project that is already underway, you should only submit an operating budget.

Prepare a budget by determining the actual amount of money needed to begin the project (start-up costs) and the amount needed to keep it going (operating costs).



1. The first step to building a sound financial plan is to devise a start-up budget. Your start-up budget may include such one-time-only costs as major equipment, utility deposits, down payments, etc.
   
   The start-up budget should allow for these expenses:
   • salaries/wages (prior to opening)
   • payroll taxes, and fringe
   • legal/professional fees
   • rent
   • licenses/permits
   • equipment
   • insurance
   • supplies
   • advertising/promotions
   • accounting
   • utilities
   
   How will you pay these start-up expenses? Give sources of funds and estimated amounts per source.



2. An operating budget projects expenses and income once you are actually ready to open for business. The operating budget will reflect your priorities in terms of how you spend your money, the expenses you will incur and how you will meet those expenses (income). It should allow for the following expenses for the first two years of operation.
   • salaries/ wages
   • payroll taxes and fringe
   • contractual services
   • insurance
   • rent
   • depreciation
   • loan payments
   • advertising/promotions
   • legal/accounting
   • miscellaneous expenses
   • supplies
   • utilities
   • dues/subscriptions/fees/licenses
   • taxes
   • repairs/maintenance

   How will you pay these operating expenses? Give sources of funds and estimated amounts per source.

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3. Staff List
   List of all current & proposed project positions with brief descriptions. Include names (indicate with asterisks those who are African-American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, and Hispanic), titles, and salary ranges.



4. Board of Directors List
   List of Applicant's current board of directors. Include board members' occupations/professional affiliations indicating with asterisks those who are African-American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, and Hispanic.



5. SC Charities Letter
   Unless applicant is a unit of government, include a copy of applicant's current SC Registration as Charitable Organizations letter. The letter must be renewed annually with the SC Office of the Secretary of State in accordance with the provisions of the SC Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act.



6. IRS Tax-Exempt Letter
   A copy of applicant's IRS tax-exempt letter
   OR
   If applying through a fiscal agent,
   a. A copy of fiscal agent's IRS tax-exempt letter
   b. A copy of a letter of agreement, signed by both the applicant and the fiscal agent that outlines the working relationship and responsibilities of both parties.

Submit completed applications to:

Cultural Visions Grant Program
SC Arts Commission
1800 Gervais Street
Columbia, SC 29201

NOTE: Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Submit only original application forms with original signatures. Do not submit copies or fax your application.