ACTA is excited to share the news that the California Arts Council (CAC) has announced its upcoming call for grant applications. We believe that the newly named Local Impact Program, specifically, would be a good fit for traditional artists and organizations working in underserved communities. The program has newly augmented funding in the pool, totaling $1.3M, which is enough for to make over 100 grants of $10,000-12,000 each!
This grant is described as such:
The Local Impact (LI) program fosters equity, access, and opportunity by providing project and partnership support for small arts organizations reaching underserved communities. All projects must extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations that have limited access to the arts.
Eligibility is as follows:
• The applicant must be a California-based nonprofit arts organization with a budget of $1M or less. Groups without nonprofit status may use a California-based fiscal receiver that has nonprofit status.
• The organization must demonstrate a history of arts programming for a minimum of two years prior to the time of application. (Organizations whose primary focus is a single event, or events held over the course of a single day or weekend per year, are not eligible to apply.) So if you are applying to attain funds to support a festival event that you put on, you must also demonstrate that you do other projects throughout the year.
• Non-arts organizations (eg. service organizations) with an arts component comprising at least 50% of their budget.
There are additional requirements for applicants:
• The organizations must be participating in the Cultural Data Project (CDP) – you can apply for the grant without a completed report, but you must have a complete report by May 1, 2015. (For more info about the CDP, visit their website.)
• 1 to 1 cash match – while partial in-kind matches can be authorized by the CAC program staff
John Seto is the program specialist assigned to staff the Local Impact Program. He has a deep understanding and appreciation of folk and traditional arts. He is prepared to offer Technical Assistance over the phone. He will talk to any potential applicant about the fit of their proposal idea and discuss the process. His number is (916) 322-6395 and his email is john.seto@arts.ca.gov.
We here at ACTA are also willing to help support your efforts, should you need additional assistance. Contact ACTA program staff directly or by calling or emailing Nayamin Martinez at 559-237-9811; nayamin@actaonline.org.
The deadline for this grant is March 20, which is around the corner, so hurry and check out their website to receive more information about this grant. Also see the CAC’s other grant opportunities (curent open grants found here) that may apply to your work, and please pass on this information to other folk and traditional artists and organizations.