The Fund for Creative Communities (The Fund) is part of the New York State Council on the Arts’ (NYSCA) statewide decentralization program (DEC), which was established in 1977 by the New York State Legislature as a statewide, community arts regrant program. LMCC administers The Fund for the borough of Manhattan.
How The Fund Works
The Fund supports small and midsized non-profit organizations that provide high-quality local arts programs. The Fund also seeks to increase access to arts and cultural activities in neighborhoods throughout Manhattan and to encourage new arts activities in communities where the need exists.
Grants ranging from $750 to $5,000 are awarded to non-profit organizations and to artists applying through a fiscal sponsor for arts projects with a public component that will benefit Manhattan communities. Through The Fund, LMCC awards approximately $300,000 each year. In our most recent cycle, the program awarded 84 grants to enable projects in neighborhoods from Washington Heights to the Battery.
Application Assistance
Information sessions provide an overview of The Fund for Creative Communities program and guidelines, as well as a discussion of the components of a well-prepared application.
Returning applicants are also encouraged to attend in order to develop strong applications. Please check our list of info sessions for dates and locations.
In addition, we encourage you to seek one-on-one assistance from LMCC staff, in person or on the phone, with specific questions about the proposal.
Application forms can be downloaded from our website and saved to your computer as a Microsoft Word document; however, applications cannot be submitted online. To download the application, please go to: www.lmcc.net/grants/boroughwide/fundcreativecomm.
Applicant Eligibility
Applications will be accepted from nonprofit organizations. Nonprofits, such as arts organizations, social service agencies, senior centers, faith-based organizations, folk societies and cultural centers are eligible. 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 are required to attend an information session.
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, 2009 and December 31, 2009.
Project activities 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 FY09.
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
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) copies, including one original, of the following:
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
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 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. Please do not submit edited promotional or interview materials. You may include cue times in longer works if indicated clearly on your submission materials.
Do not submit original artwork.
Work Sample Formats
Submit your work samples in one of the following formats. Please contact our staff for guidance if you wish to combine formats.
Performing Arts, Film, Media Projects:
Submit recordings (2 maximum), CDs, DVDs, VHS
Recordings must be cued to play or must include a cue time. Please cue to a portion of the recording that best represents your work and your proposed project. Do not send marketing clips; send full length of work or work in progress. Please do not submit work as a Quicktime file.
The sample may be no longer than ten (10) pages of writing. The manuscript must be typed, double-spaced on 8.5" x 11" white paper.
Visual Arts Projects:
Submit images (10 maximum); printed reproductions, CD/DVD of images
A maximum of ten (10) images may be submitted. Printed images should be no larger than 8.5" x 11". Digital images must be in a JPEG, GIF, or TIFF file format. Each file should not exceed 300K and should have a maximum height x width of 1000 x 1000px.
Submit applications to:
Fund for Creative Communities
Lower Manhattan Cultural Council
125 Maiden Lane, Second Floor
New York, New York 10038
Questions?
Contact:
Liza Green, Program Associate, Grants & Services, 212-219-9401 x129 or lgreen [at] lmcc.net
