Cultural Sustainability: Operational Impact Grants for Small Arts Organizations

Save my progress and resume later | Resume a previously saved form

Resume Later

In order to be able to resume this form later, please enter your email and choose a password.

Your Email:

A Password:

Confirm Password:

Password must contain the following:

12 Characters
1 Uppercase letter
1 Lowercase letter
1 Number
1 Special character

Project Title

Project Start Date

Project End Date

Deadline: January 10, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. CT

Cultural Sustainability is a new pilot grant program offered by the six U.S. Regional Arts Organizations (USRAOs) in partnership with The Wallace Foundation as part of its Advancing Well-Being in the Arts initiative.

Cultural Sustainability acknowledges the invaluable contributions arts and cultural organizations make in our communities and the broader cultural landscape.

This program endeavors to support and understand how small, community-based arts organizations can advance their sustainability and well-being with resources to expand their practices and increase arts engagement in their communities.

M-AAA’s Cultural Sustainability: Operational Impact Grants for Small Arts Organizations* is available to arts and cultural organizations and arts-centric businesses in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas, and the Native Nations that share this geography. Through operational grants, capacity building, and cohort learning, Cultural Sustainability will support culturally driven organizations in M-AAA’s six-state region with annual operating expenses under $500,000.

This opportunity expands the types of operational structures eligible for support to include nonprofits as well as art-centric businesses to better serve groups that may face barriers with other grant programs. M-AAA hosted two roundtable sessions with individuals throughout our region on October 10 and 17 to help inform, define, and shape this new grant program in our six-state region.

M-AAA expects to grant a total of $1,100,000 in the region, through 22 unrestricted, non-matching organizational grants of $50,000 each.

See the Cultural Sustainability Website for more information.

M-AAA recommends using the latest version of Google Chrome or Firefox as your internet browser to complete this application form.

A. How did the applicant learn about this grant opportunity?

B. Choose that which best reflects the organization's relationship with M-AAA:

ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONNAIRE

C. Is the organization incorporated in the Mid-America Arts Alliance region?

In which of M-AAA's six states is the organization incorporated?

D. Select the organization's legal structure.

Please list your tribal affiliation

E. Has the organization provided arts and cultural programming to its community for at least 3 years?

F. Is the organization's current annual operating budget more than $500,000?

YesNo

Select the range that reflects the organization's current operating budget?

Under $250,000
$250,001-$500,000$500,001-$1,000,000$1,000,001-$5,000,000$5,000,001-$10,000,000Over $10,000,000$100,001-$500,000$25,001-$50,000$50,001-$100,000$100,001-$250,000

G. Does the organization have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) assigned when it registered at SAM.gov?

H. Does the organization have an Employer Identification Number (EIN) assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)?

I. Does the organization predominantly serve Black, Latine, Asian, Arab, Indigenous, Pacific Islander and/or Carribean communities or another under represented community?

J. Does the organization self-identify as being founded by and/or for a community of color or another underrepresented community?

K. Does the applicant understand that, if selected for funding, at least one staff person from the organization is expected to participate monthly in a 90-minute cohort meeting throughout the 15-month pilot program?

Your organization is not eligible to apply.

We appreciate your interest in the Cultural Sustainability: Operational Impact Grants for Small Arts Organizations Program.

Unfortunately, the answers provided in the questionnaire reveal that the applicant is not eligible for consideration.

Click here to join M-AAA's mailing list for more opportunities for artists and arts-based organizations.

For questions about this grant program, email us at: culturalsustainability@maaa.org.

Welcome! Your organization is eligible to apply.

The answers provided in the questionnaire reveal that the applicant is eligible for consideration. Please proceed to the application below.

I. APPLICANT INFORMATION

1. What is the organization's legal name?

Organization's business name as it appears on its incorporation documents filed with the Internal Revenue Service or business registration with its Secretary of State office.

2. Is the organization known by a name other than its legal name?

What is the organization's other name?

Name of the organization if different from its name on its incorporation documents.

3. What is the organization's mailing address?

City/Town

State

Zip Code

4. Does the organization have a street address different from its mailing address?

What is the organization's street address?

P.O. Box information is NOT accepted here.

City/Town

State

Zip Code

5. Does the organization have a website?

Provide the organization's Website Address.

6. What email address does the community use to contact the organization?

7. What phone number does the community use to contact the organization?

xxx-xxx-xxxx

8. Does the applicant maintain a social media presence?

Which ones?

FacebookInstagram
Other
Twitter (Now X)

Applicant Facebook

Applicant X (formerly Twitter)

Applicant Instagram

Which other social media outlets?

9. What is the organization's federal employer identification number (EIN)?

Numbers only. No dashes or hyphens.

10. If applicable, what is the organization's Taxpayer Identification Number as issued by their state's Secretary of State office(TIN)?

Numbers only. No dashes or hyphens.

11. What is the organization's Unique Entity Identifier Number (UEI) as registered in SAM.gov?

Numbers and letters only. No dashes or hyphens.

12. Organization Legislative Information

U.S. Congressional District Number

Numbers only. For more information: https://pluralpolicy.com/find-your-legislator/

State House Legislative District Number (lower chamber)

Numbers only. For more information: https://pluralpolicy.com/find-your-legislator/

State Senate Legislative District Number (upper chamber)

Numbers only. For more information: https://pluralpolicy.com/find-your-legislator/

13. What is the mission of the organization?

Insert a line space between paragraphs for ease of reading when applicable.

14. Choose the type of institution that best describes the organization.

You answered "None of the Above" for #14, please explain.

15. What is the primary creative discipline that the organization uses in its programming?

16. What is the population of the organization's geographic service area?

Population less than 50,000
Population 50,000 or more

17. Would the organization be described as being located in a rural or isolated area?

Tell us more about the rural or isolated location.

18. Organization's Leadership Contact Person Information

First Name

Last Name

Job Title or Artistic Discipline

Work Phone Number

xxx-xxx-xxxx

Email Address

How long has this person held this leadership position?

Demographics for Organization Leadership Person

Gender

FemaleMaleNon-binaryThird Gender/Two SpiritTransgenderPrefer to self-describePrefer not to sayNone of the above

Please self-describe.

Race or Ethnicity

American Indian/Alaska/Indigenous NativeBiracial/Multiracial/Mixed HeritageArab/Middle Eastern/North AfricanAsian/South Asian/Southeast AsianWhite/Caucasian/EuropeanBlack/African AmericanHispanic/LatinxNative Hawaiian/Other Pacific IslanderDecline to statePrefer to self-describe

Please self-describe.

Age

18-2425-3435-4445-5455-6465 and overPrefer not to say

Education

Some high schoolHigh school diploma or GEDSome collegeTwo year college degreeFour year college degreeAdvanced college degree (graduate, Ph.D., etc.)Vocational/Trade schoolPrefer to self-describePrefer not to say

Please self-describe.

Additional Identifiers

Veteran/Active DutyCaregiverImmigrantEnglish as a Second LanguageLGBTQOtherPrefer to self-describePerson with a DisabilityPrefer Not to StateNo Other Identifiers

Please self-describe.

19. Board Leadership (or the equivalent) or Secondary Contact Person Information

First Name

Last Name

Job Title or Artistic Discipline

Work Phone Number

xxx-xxx-xxxx

Email Address

How long has this person held this position?

Demographics for Board Leadership (or equivalent) or Secondary Contact Person

Gender

FemaleMaleNon-binaryThird Gender/Two SpiritTransgenderPrefer to self-describePrefer not to sayNone of the above

Please self-describe.

Race or Ethnicity

Biracial/Multiracial/Mixed HeritageAmerican Indian/Alaska/Indigenous NativeArab/Middle Eastern/North AfricanAsian/South Asian/Southeast AsianBlack/African AmericanHispanic/LatinxNative Hawaiian/Other Pacific IslanderWhite/Caucasian/EuropeanPrefer to self-describeDecline to state

Please self-describe.

Age

18-2425-3435-4445-5455-6465 and overPrefer not to say

Education

Please self-describe.

Additional Identifiers

CaregiverImmigrantOtherNo Other IdentifiersEnglish as a Second LanguageLGBTQPerson with a DisabilityVeteran/Active DutyPrefer Not to StatePrefer to self-describe

Please self-describe.

20. Application Contact Person Information

First Name

Last Name

Job Title or Artistic Discipline

Work Phone Number

xxx-xxx-xxxx

Email Address

How long has this person been affiliated with the organization?

Demographics for Application Contact Person

Gender

FemaleMaleNon-binaryThird Gender/Two SpiritTransgenderPrefer to self-describePrefer not to sayNone of the above

Please self-describe.

Race or Ethnicity

Please self-describe.

Age

18-2425-3435-4445-5455-6465 and overPrefer not to say

Education

Please self-describe.

Additional Identifiers

CaregiverImmigrantOtherEnglish as a Second LanguageLGBTQPerson with a DisabilityVeteran/Active DutyPrefer Not to StatePrefer to self-describeNo Other Identifiers

Please self-describe.

II. STAFF, BOARD, AND VOLUNTEER INFORMATION

21. How many of the following does the organization have?

Board Members (or the equivalent)

Full-time staff members

Part-time staff members

Full-time volunteers

Part-time Volunteers

Contractors

Board of Directors (or the Equivalent) Race or Ethnicity

Please self-describe.

Part time and Full time Staff Race or Ethnicity

Please self-describe.

22. Describe the board (or equivalent advisory group) composition, their level of involvement in the community, and how they serve the organization.

23. Describe the staff composition, their level of involvement in the community, and how they serve the organization.

III. APPLICATION NARRATIVE QUESTIONS

24. Tell us about the organization and any values that drive the organization's work.

25. Describe the community you serve. How are you addressing your communities' needs and interests through your work, and how has community support directly contributed to your organization's success?

26. How will this grant impact the organization's work and the well-being of the community it serves?

27. What could the pilot program and the cohort provide you with to support your work, unique expertise, and knowledge?

28. When did the organization begin providing community programs or services?

29. Rate the following statement: The organization's mission and/or programming predominantly serves Black, Latine, Asian, Arab, Indigenous, Pacific Islander, and/or Caribbean communities, or another underserved community.

30. Identify the communities the organization predominantly serves through its programming.

BlackLatine AsianArabIndigenousPacific IslanderCarribean Other underrepresented

Briefly describe the Other underrepresented.

What is the primary type of activity involved in the project?

Choose the one statement that best describes the amount of arts education involved in the project:

50% or more of the project activities are arts education.
Less than 50% of the project activities are arts education.
None of the project activities involve arts education.

IV. ACCESSIBILITY

Applicant Accessibility Information

A. The applicant has a stated policy or mission statement regarding accessibility.

B. The applicant has accessible information/accommodations with appropriate disability symbols included in all its publicity.

C. The applicant has an accessible website, including alt tags and captioned audio.

D. The applicant has a designated staff member responsible for overseeing accessibility and Section 504/ADA compliance.

E. The applicant has an access committee that includes people with various disabilities to advise on access issues.

You answered "Not Applicable" or "No" to at least one of the statements above, please explain.

APPLICANT ACCESSIBILITY CALCULATION (HIDE)

Applicant Public Programming Accessibility Information

F. Persons using wheelchairs and/or prosthetics will be able to participate in the project.

G. A sign language interpreter, an assistive listening system, or other assistance for persons with hearing impairments will be provided upon request.

H. Large print materials or descriptive audio recordings will be available upon request for persons with visual limitations.

I. Seats near the speaker/performer/interpreter will be available for persons with hearing and/or visual limitations along with their companions.

You answered "Not Applicable" or "No" to at least one of the statements above, please explain.

Applicant's Venue Accessibility

J. The applicant's venue has designated accessible parking spaces with adjoining curb cuts and an accessible route from parking to the venue entrance.

K. The applicant's venue has ground-level entry, ramped access, and/or elevators.

L. The applicant's venue has integrated and dispersed wheelchair seating in assembly areas with companion seating.

M. The applicant's venue has signage at inaccessible entrances with directions to accessible entrances.

N. The applicant's venue has a wheelchair-accessible toilet stall, including a 60" diameter or T-turn clear floor space, free of the door swing.

O. The applicant's venue has accessible emergency exits and audio/visual emergency alarms.

You answered "Not Applicable" or "No" to at least one of the statements above, please explain.

VENUE ACCESSIBILITY CALCULATION (HIDE)

V. ORGANIZATION BUDGET INFORMATION

31. What is the organization's current operating budget?

32. What percentage of the organization's annual revenue is:

Earned?

Donated?

Acquired from Other Sources?

Total

Ideally this should equal 100%.

Briefly describe the Other Sources.

VI. DOCUMENT UPLOADS

33. Proof of Incorporation

34. Applicant Tax Filings

Limit 3 documents.

35. Organization's Current Operating Budget

This should reflect anticipated income and expenses for the current year of operations.

36. Support Materials

Limit 4 documents, 2 pages each. This can include two letters of recommendation from community representatives (not Board Members) who know first hand how the organization makes a difference, as well as other materials such as a work sample summary document that lists websites where online photos, audio files, or videos can be viewed to better understand the work of the organization.

CERTIFICATION

The Applicant hereby certifies to the best of its knowledge and belief that it and its principals:

A.) are not presently declared ineligible, or excluded from receiving federal assistance from any federal agency;

B.) do not currently owe a debt to the federal government for outstanding taxes;

C.) have not, within a three-year period preceding this project been convicted of or had a civil judgment rendered against them for commission of fraud or a criminal offense in connection with obtaining or attempting to obtain public funds;

D.) are not presently indicted for or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a government entity with commission of any of the offenses noted above.

Nondiscrimination Statutes

The applicant certifies that all information contained in this application is true and further, it does not discriminate:

on the grounds of race, color, or national origin (including limited English proficiency) in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.)

on the basis of physical or mental disability in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act;

on the basis of age, in accordance with the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C. 6101 et seq.), and

on the basis of sex, in any education program or activity, in accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.)

By virtue of submitting this form online I, the representative of the applicant, certify that all information contained in this form is true.

Name of Person Submitting Application

Email Address of Person Submitting Application

Date

Do you have technical difficulties with this application form or concerns about this grant program?

Please email M-AAA staff at CulturalSustainability@maaa.org.

Save my progress and resume later | Resume a previously saved form