Cultural Funding Program

City of Ventura, Parks, Recreation and Community Partnerships Department

Agency: Local

GrantWatch ID #128730

Grant Description

Grants of up to $20,000 to California nonprofit arts and cultural organizations in eligible locations to provide arts programming and services to the local community. Funding may also be requested for organizational support. Eligible applicants are those that present, produce, or support arts or cultural programs and are based in Ventura.

Grant Program Goals:

To support Ventura’s cultural infrastructure of arts organizations and artists
To ensure comprehensive access to and involvement in cultural opportunities by all segments of the community
To support economic development and increase tourism
To enhance lifelong learning opportunities in the arts for all ages

Criteria:

Organizational Mission Statement

Mission statement
Goals for the 2022 calendar year that support: (1) providing comprehensive access to and involvement in cultural opportunities by all segments of the community; and (2) enhancing lifelong learning opportunities in the arts for all ages

Artistic & Cultural Excellence/Merit

Programs and activities that provide community access to arts and cultural opportunities
Uniqueness from other similar arts and cultural organizations in the area

Organizational & Fiscal Capacity

Capacity of administrative and governance structure
Current status and future outlook of operating budget
Long-term financial viability through earned income and private and/or government support

Community Impact

Impact of programs and activities on the community
Segments of the community reached
Participation numbers
Number of opportunities provided
Efforts to become more inclusive and expand community impact

Cultural Equity

Past and future plans to expand cultural equity and inclusion in organization and programs provided

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Eligibility:

Others (see text field entitled "Additional Eligibility Criteria" for clarification)

Additional Eligibility Criteria:

Organizations must:
• Be a Ventura-based nonprofit arts and/or cultural organization with 501(c)3 status or have a Ventura County fiscal agent with 501(c)3 status.
• Present, produce, or support arts or cultural programs as a major component of their mission.
• Be in compliance with all City codes, laws, and ordinances.
• Certify, by means of signature on the application, that they are not delinquent in repaying the City any debt, whether the debt arises from a tax, bill, loan, lease, or other financial obligation. Organizations with a delinquent indebtedness to the City are ineligible to receive funding through this grant.
• Be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and operate so as not to discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, or disability.
• Have satisfied the requirements of any previously awarded Cultural Funding Grant from the City of Ventura, including completion of a final report.
• Provide proof that the organization maintains an ongoing liability insurance policy with a minimum of $2 million aggregate, and $1 million per occurrence general liability coverage.

For restrictions and limitations, see https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/30017/FY22-Cultural-Funding-Grant-Program-PDF#page=2.

Pre-proposal Conference:

Free Workshop & Webinar Opportunities - Optional but highly recommended.

- Grant Writing Workshop December 7, 2021 from 9 am - 12 pm

- SMU DataArts Webinars
• December 7 at 1 pm EST - Getting Started with The Cultural Data Profile:
To Register: https://culturaldata.secure.nonprofitsoapbox.com/calendar/event/875
• December 16 at 1 pm EST - Data at Work: Introduction to DataArts Ana!vticTools
To Register: https://culturaldata.secure.nonprofitsoapbox.com/calendar/event/878

Pre-Application Information:

Timeline:
- Monday, January 24, 2022 before 9 am (PST): Deadline to request a secure link to the grant portal for uploading your application and digital supplemental materials. Email Kathryn Dippong Lawson to request a secure link to the
grant portal.
- Tuesday, January 25, 2022 before 5 pm (PST): Deadline to submit your application and all supplemental materials, either by mail, in-person, or using your requested secure link.
- Thursday, February 24, 2022: Grant panel convenes via WebEx.
- Tuesday, March 8, 2022: Arts & Culture Commission reviews panel recommendations.
- April 2022: Award notifications sent via email.

As part of the application process, applicants must complete the online Cultural Data Profile (CDP) and submit the financial summary generated by the CDP. To start your Cultural Data Profile, visit: https://www.culturaldata.org/get-started/

Additional Funding Information:

Estimated Total Program Funding:

$90,000

Estimated Size of Grant:

$1,000 - $20,000. The request may not exceed 10% of an organization's annual budget.

Contact Information:

There are 3 easy ways to submit your grant application:

Mail packet to:
City of Ventura - Parks & Recreation Dept.
Attn: Cultural Funding Grant Program
501 Poli Street, Room 226
Ventura, CA 93001

Deliver packet in-person:
Ventura City Hall
Attn: Kathryn Dippong-Lawson
501 Poli Street, Room 226
Ventura, CA 93001

Email packet to:
Kathryn Dippong-Lawson
kdippong@cityofventura.ca.gov

For questions or additional assistance, please contact:
Kathryn Dippong Lawson, Arts & Culture Section Supervisor
805-658-4720
kdippong@cityofventura.ca.gov