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Grants to North Carolina Nonprofits, IHEs, Religious Organizations, and Individuals for Arts and Cultural Programs in Eligible Regions

Cultural Vision Grants


Agency
Foundation

GrantWatch ID#
158933

Funding Source
Arts and Science Council (ASC)
Array ( )

Geographic Focus
USA: North Carolina: Mecklenburg County

Important Dates
LOI Date: 03/06/23
Deadline: 05/01/23 Save

Grant Description
Grants of up to $20,000 to North Carolina nonprofit organizations, IHEs, religious organizations, and individuals for arts, history, heritage, and science programs to benefit local communities in eligible regions. Applicants must submit an LOI prior to submitting a full application. Funding is intended for programs that benefit the residents of Mecklenburg County.

ASC seeks to support high-quality arts and culture projects presented within Mecklenburg County by Creative Individuals or Nonprofit Organizations that advance one of the following goals:

  • Building Community by connecting individuals across points of difference
  • Building Community by nurturing, celebrating and supporting authentic cultures and creative expression
  • Increasing Relevance by using arts, science and history to address complex community issues
  • Increasing Innovation by supporting the creation of new and groundbreaking work

Successful applicants will demonstrate a commitment to quality and clear intention toward at least one of the objectives above and a capacity for success. 

Additional Panel Considerations: 

  • ASC supports programming with, by and for under-invested populations, which may include people who are: Seniors, Disabled, Immigrants, Low-Income, Women and Girls, LGBTQIA, and those of African, Latin-a/o/x/e, Asian, Arab, and/or Native American descent.
  • ASC recognizes a need for projects that will occur in Charlotte-Mecklenburg communities beyond the Center City area.
  • ASC seeks programs that engage communities in scientific and historic curiosity.
  • ASC looks for participatory audience experiences.


Recipient

Additional Eligibility Criteria
At the time of application, applicant is either an individual with a primary residence in Mecklenburg County or a Mecklenburg County-based, nonprofit, tax-exempt organization that is in good standing with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). (Groups that do not have tax-exempt status may apply through a Mecklenburg based fiscal sponsor organization).

Religious Organizations and Institutions of Higher Education may apply provided the project reaches the broader community and does not contain religious content.

Organizations or individuals that will have a current and active ASC Cultural Vision Grant must complete that project before a new Cultural Vision Grant will be funded.

Ineligible
- Projects that are religious in nature or specifically serve only church membership or faculty/student body are not eligible.
- Projects that involve work with preK-12 children during the school day are not eligible to apply.
- Organizations or individuals that have delinquent paperwork for a previously funded ASC grant are not eligible to apply.
- ASC will not consider multiple requests from the same applicant (with the exception of large 501(c)(3) organizations with multiple locations such as the library system, YMCA, or college/university). Please contact the Grants Office to discuss eligibility of multiple requests.

The following is a list of ineligible costs:
- Prizes, including scholarships, tuition, or financial awards.
- Purchase of artifacts or artwork.
- Capital expenditures – funds for expenses for purchase of buildings or real estate, renovations or improvements involving structural changes, payments for roads, driveways or parking lots, or permanent and immobile equipment such as grid systems or central air conditioning. Also includes acquisitions, which are expenses for additions to a collection of art.
- Contingency funds – funds for an event that may occur but that is not likely or intended.
- Costs for selling and/or marketing any products or services of the organization unrelated to the funded project.
- Deficit reduction, bad debts, interest on loans, indirect cost rate expenses, losses on other awards or contracts, or fines, penalties, or litigation costs.
- Donations and contributions to other organizations.
- Entertainment costs (costs of amusement, diversion, social activities, ceremonials, and costs relating thereto, such as meals, lodging, rentals, transportation, and gratuities) or costs for food or beverages for parties/receptions
- Fundraising and investment management costs. Events specifically designed to fundraise.
- Goods or services for personal use of the organization’s employees.
- Lobbying expenses.
- Organizational establishment or reorganization costs.
- Acrobatics, Aerobic dance, Beauty pageant, Clowning, Cosmetology, Essay contests, Fashion shows, Juggling, Magic shows, Martial arts, Modeling, Quiz bowls, and Travel presentations

Pre-Proposal Conference
ASC staff will host a virtual workshop for prospective Cultural Vision Grant applicants:

Monday, Feb. 13, 2023, at 3 p.m.
RSVP for This Info Session: https://artsandscience.givevirtuous.org/Event/cultural-vision-grant-info-session---feb-13-2023

ASC staff is hosting virtual Fellowship Office Hours for Mecklenburg County-based creatives and organizations with questions about Cultural Vision Grant application process. Office Hours are:

Monday, Feb. 27, 2023, at 3 p.m.
Join Virtual Office Hour: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82528471973?pwd=eTRjMFJUc3IrODd3TEFQbEFwUUlOUT09

Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at 10 a.m.
Join Virtual Office Hour: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82528471973?pwd=eTRjMFJUc3IrODd3TEFQbEFwUUlOUT09

Pre-Application Information
How to Apply:
- Initial Application Deadline: Monday, March 6, 2023 at 12:00pm/Noon. All applicants must submit an initial application using the online application form by the published deadline. ASC does not accept late applications.
- Conversation with ASC Program Staff: The weeks of March 6 and March 13 ASC Staff may contact you following the deadline to request a phone call to discuss your application.
- Panel Selection and Finalist Selection: The week of April 3, 2023. A grant panel reviews each initial application. The panel deliberates on each proposal’s alignment with the goals of the Cultural Vision Grant and selects finalists. Included in this invitation will be specific guidance on the funding amount the applicant may request.
- Finalist Requirements Review: All applicants invited to submit the Finalist Requirements will meet with the program director for consultation while preparing their Finalist Requirements. Applicants may submit a draft to ASC staff using the “email draft” prompt in the application. ASC Staff will schedule consultation meetings between April 17 and April 28.
- Full Requirements Deadline: May 1, 2023.
- Award Notification: By May 4, 2023.

Organizations that have previously received Operating Support from ASC may apply to fund new projects (this grant is not intended to support existing or routine programming).

ASC requires grantees to provide matching funds toward the project expenses.

Estimated Size of Grant
Grants of up to $20,000 will be awarded.

Term of Contract
The project must begin between June 1, 2023 and December 1, 2023. The project must end on or before June 30, 2024.

Contact Information
Apply online: https://www.grantrequest.com/SID_672?SA=SNA&FID=35569

For questions, contact the ASC Grants Office at 704-335-3053 or grants@artsandscience.org.

If producing matching funds is an obstacle to your participation in the program, please contact the above email address prior to the deadline to discuss the situation.

ASC
P.O. Box 30246
Charlotte, NC 28230
Phone: 704-333-2ASC (2272)
Fax: 704-335-3274

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