New Generation Grants

New Generation grants are intended to support arts organizations that have been in existence for less than eight years.

Applicants for New Generation grants must:

- Be a nonprofit arts organization with 501(c)(3) state and federal tax-exempt status*;
- Be in Good Standing as defined in General Grant Policies (previous recipients only);
- Have a majority of activities take place within Wake County;
- Have had at least one year of arts programming;
- Have been in existence for less than eight years following the date of achieving non-profit status;
- Maintain a board of directors which meets at least quarterly;
- Have an annual internal review if organization's actual gross revenue from the most recently completed fiscal year is equal to or less than $299,999. See Glossary for required components of internal review;
- Have an independent audit performed annually by a Certified Public Accountant if organization's actual gross revenue from the most recently completed fiscal year is $300,000 or greater;
- Have nondiscrimination, conflict of interest, and accessibility policies; and
- Meet with United Arts staff before February 28, 2018.

*Applications will also be accepted from arts organizations whose applications for 501(c)(3) status are pending. Proof of tax-exempt application to the IRS will be required. Emerging arts organizations not having 501(c)(3) status are encouraged to consult with United Arts staff at any time for other types of assistance, including fiscal agency and access to community resources.

Eligible applications must be for arts-related programming to take place in Wake County.

Please Note: Applicants for New Generation grants may not apply in any other United Arts grant category.

United Arts funds may not be used for the following expenditures:

- Deficit reduction
- Contributions to cash reserves and/or endowment funds
- Loan repayments, interest and/or penalties, fines or litigation costs
- Capital expenses (e.g., buildings, roads, major immobile equipment, furniture, fixtures or musical instruments, artwork, etc.)
- Fundraising events and activities
- Food or beverage for hospitality or entertainment functions
- Private events closed to the general public and activities restricted to an organization’s membership
- Lobbying expenses
- Tuition for academic study
- Programs in the following areas: acrobatics, aerobic dance, art therapy, beauty pageants, clowning, comedy, cosmetology, face painting, fashion shows, gemology, juggling, karaoke, magic shows, martial arts, mineralogy, modeling, nature presentations, pageants, quiz bowl presentations, talent shows
- Scholarships and awards for use outside the applicant’s programming
- Projects of a religious nature designed to promote or inhibit religious belief and/or practice and which have no basic underlying secular theme or topics
- Competition prizes

Application Workshops:

Representatives must attend an application workshop if the applicant did not receive funding in the last grant cycle. Attending an application workshop is optional for current grantees unless staff requires that an organization attend. Staff recommends that any returning applicant with a new grant writer attend an application workshop. At these workshops, United Arts staff will assist applicants with the process by discussing eligibility requirements, grant requirements, and tips on how to submit a competitive application. Please review guidelines before attending a workshop.

Application workshops are held at the United Arts Council office. Please register in advance for workshops to rcarlile@unitedarts.org.

Non-profit Arts/Cultural Organization Applicants:
Thursday, January 10, 2019, 10:30 am
Wednesday, January 23, 2019, 5:00 pm

Application Review Appointments:

United Arts staff are available for individual appointments with applicants to review drafts of application materials and to provide feedback. Appointments will be held during the month of February.

Although any applicant may request an appointment, applicants applying in new categories are required to meet with staff. Staff may also request an appointment, attendance at which is mandatory. Applications will not be accepted from any applicant who does not meet with staff as required.

To give staff time to review draft proposals appropriately, applicants must submit a draft narrative and budget via email at least two working days before the appointment.

Information on Application Workshops: http://www.unitedarts.org/programming-grant-guidelines/

Application Review Process:

All applicants should submit a letter stating intention to apply to arrive by February 1, 2020. New applicants must attach to this letter requested documents to determine proof of eligibility.

Once the letters are received, staff will determine eligibility and schedule individual meetings to take place by February 28, 2020. Once eligibility is determined and applicant has met with staff, a full application should be submitted by March 5, 2020.