Accessibility Grants

About This Grant

Purpose

Accessibility grants are designed to help South Carolina organizations make arts programs and existing facilities accessible to persons with disabilities.

Please Note

Grant guidelines are subject to change until the application opens.

• Eligibility

  1. The applicant must be either:
     • a designated South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs board,
       OR
     • a South Carolina organization that
       • has a primary mission focused on the arts, or
       • serves as the primary arts provider in its community, or
       • will commit to a project that connects the arts to persons who have disabilities.
  2. The applicant must also be either:
     • a unit of government,
       OR
     • a nonprofit organization
       1. currently registered as a charity with the S.C. Secretary of State’s Office
          Note: Applicants who are exempt from this registration must upload their registration exemption approval.
       2. reflecting S.C. as the primary address on all current official organizational documents
       3. with federal tax exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service
          OR
          applying through a tax-exempt fiscal agent/receiver organization
          Note: Applicants who are applying through a fiscal agent/receiver must submit a letter outlining the working relationship and responsibilities of both parties.

  3. In accordance with federal government policy, all organizations – including (but not limited to) private schools, public school districts, government entities, and nonprofit organizations – must provide a valid UEI number* to receive an SCAC grant award.

     *Learn about the new grant requirement: Unique Entity ID (UEI)

     Note: If an applicant organization is using a fiscal agent/receiver, separate UEI numbers must be provided for both the applicant organization and the fiscal agent/receiver. Exceptions to separate UEI numbers are organizations run by a local government or a school district.

• Restrictions

  • Organizations are limited to one Accessibility Grant award per fiscal year (July 1–June 30).
  • Colleges and universities are not eligible to apply for this grant category.

• Use of Funds

  Grants awards may reimburse the applicant for any combination of qualifying expenses incurred during the grant period. Projects may include but are not limited to the following:

  Programs

  • Printing large print program materials
  • Printing Braille materials
  • Artist/consultant fees
  • Preparation for special exhibitions
  • Audio description
  • Sign language interpretation
  • Website accessibility
  • Docent training for visual or audio enhancement
  • Consultant fee to develop an overall accessibility plan for your organization
  • Inclusive programming
  • Staff training (i.e. travel to a workshop and/or training)
  • Other accommodations that make programs accessible
  • Purchase of assistive listening devices

  Facilities

  • Curb cuts
  • Construction of accessibility ramp(s)
  • Accessibility signage for exterior and/or interior space
  • Modification of restroom(s)
  • Modification of drinking fountain(s)
  • Installation of elevator
  • Installation of electronic door opener
  • Installation of Braille plaques
  • Architectural or engineering study to address accessibility of existing facility
  • Capital improvements (“bricks and mortar”) of existing facilities
    Note:
    • Capital improvement projects must meet all local and state building codes.
    • If the existing facility is on The National Register of Historic Places or deemed eligible, all work must conform with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.
    • Applicants for capital improvement project support must upload
      1. A copy of the deed or letter from the property owner, acknowledging approval of this capital improvement project.
      2. Photographs, drawings or plans of existing facilities, identifying project areas. All construction documents must be stamped by the architect and/or engineer.
  • Design development and construction documents that address the proposed accessibility project
  • Adaptive equipment
  • Other accommodations that make facilities accessible

  Funds may not be used for

  • New construction (new buildings must comply with current ADA requirements)
  • Cosmetic work such as interior painting and furnishings
  • Actual building construction costs other than costs associated with accessibility
  • Consultant fees for facilities fundraising

• Additional Requirements of this Grant

  Any activities carried out within this grant must align with state guidelines regarding COVID-19.

• Priority

  Priority will be given to individuals or organizations that have projects in SCAC’s Opportunity Initiative Counties:
  

  • Allendale
  • Bamberg
  • Calhoun
  • Cherokee
  • Clarendon
  • Dillon
  • Edgefield
  • Hampton
  • Jasper
  • Laurens
  • Lee
  • Marion
  • Marlboro
  • Saluda
  • Williamsburg

• Deadline & Grant Period

  Deadline

  At least five weeks before the project begins, for projects beginning on or after August 7, 2023.

  • Application period: July 3, 2023 – March 4, 2024
  • Applications must be submitted at least five weeks (unless otherwise noted by an * below) before grant-funded activities begin or purchases are made. However, earlier applications are encouraged. Applicants do not need to wait until five weeks before their project starts to apply.
  • Note: No applications will be accepted after Monday, March 4, 2024.

  Here are some time-specific deadlines:

  • July 3, 2023, for projects beginning August 7 or later.
    Notification (awarded or declined) is expected the week of July 31.
  • August 7, 2023, for projects beginning September 11 or later.
    Notification (awarded or declined) is expected the week of September 4.
  • September 4, 2023, for projects beginning October 9 or later.
    Notification (awarded or declined) is expected the week of October 2.
  • October 2, 2023, for projects beginning November 6 or later.
    Notification (awarded or declined) is expected the week of October 30.
  • October 30, 2023, for projects beginning December 11* or later.
    Notification (awarded or declined) is expected the week of December 4.
  • December 4, 2023, for projects beginning January 15, 2024* or later.
    Notification (awarded or declined) is expected the week of January 8, 2024.
  • January 08, 2024, for projects beginning February 12 or later.
    Notification (awarded or declined) is expected the week of February 5.
  • February 5, 2024, for projects beginning March 11 or later.
    Notification (awarded or declined) is expected the week of March 4.
  • March 4, 2024, for projects beginning April 15* or later.
    Notification (awarded or declined) is expected the week of April 8.

  Applications may be submitted until 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on the deadline date. However, please be aware that staff members will not be available to assist you with questions or technical difficulties after SCAC closes at 5 p.m. that day.

  Grant Period

  All grant-supported activities must be implemented between August 7, 2023 and May 31, 2024.

  If your proposed project is scheduled to end after May 31, please contact Accessibility Coordinator Amanda Noyes (803.734.8675 | anoyes@arts.sc.gov) before applying.

• Funding & Match

  Funding

  Up to $2,500

  Federal funding note: This grant might be funded using federal dollars. The SCAC will notify the grantee if federal dollars are used. In the event federal dollars are used, the grantee’s match must not consist of federal funding.

  Matching Requirements

  1:1 (grantee:SCAC)

  • At least 50% of the applicant’s match must be cash.
  • Funds from another SCAC grant may not be used as matching funds.

• Grant Criteria

  Are you wondering what makes for a strong application?

  The SCAC recommends using the FY24 Accessibility Grant Evaluation Rubric as a guide when writing your application. Grant panelists will score your application responses based on the criteria within this rubric.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted through our grants portal, which uses the Foundant platform.

New to Foundant? For frequently asked questions, registration instructions, and other helpful information, we highly recommend visiting the Grants Portal FAQ, before you begin working in the system.

• Your Grants Portal Account

  The applicant must have an active account in our Grants Portal.

  • If you have previously used Submittable to apply for other SCAC grants or programs, please note that the grants portal is a different system. Your Submittable credentials will not work; you will need a grants portal account to apply for this grant.
  • If you have used the grants portal as both an artist and as a contact for a school or organization, be sure you log on with the correct account to apply for this grant.

• Starting Your Application

  1. Click the “Apply” link below. The grants portal will open in a new browser tab or window.
  2. Log on, then click the “Apply” link at the top of your Applicant Dashboard.
  3. Find “Accessibility” in the list of available grant applications, and click the “Apply” button to the far right.

After You Apply

• Review Process & Criteria

  The Grants Team will review submitted applications for completeness and compliance with guideline and application requirements. SCAC program staff and management will evaluate the applications based on the published review criteria. An applicant’s panel comments are available to them upon request. Staff will then develop funding recommendations, based on these evaluations and the availability of funds. Final funding decisions are approved by the executive director. Award notification is expected within two (2) to three (3) weeks of submission.

• If You Receive a Grant Award

  If your application is funded, you (and your fiscal agent/receiver, if applicable) will enter into a contractual agreement with the South Carolina Arts Commission, and you must comply with all requirements stated in that contract. You will receive notification and instructions when your contract is available in the Grants Portal. You must submit your completed contract packet, including signatures and other documentation as instructed, by the date indicated in the system. You must also complete all other assigned follow ups by the due date.

  Please note: Any significant revisions to grant-funded activities must be approved in writing, in advance, by the SCAC. Significant revisions to grant-funded activities must be emailed to grants@arts.sc.gov to be processed for approval or denial.

  Additional details about managing an SCAC grant are available on our agency website.

  Grant Payments

  Payment will be on a reimbursement basis only and will be released upon receipt and approval of your final report.

  Final Report

  ALL GRANTEES are required to file a final report at the end of the grant period. The final report due date is stated in the grant contract. Failure to submit an accurate and complete final report by the due date will result in cancellation of the award and repayment of any funds received. SCAC will not fund applicants who have outstanding final reports.