New Generation grants are intended to support arts organizations that have been in existence for less than eight years. The purpose of the funding is to help arts organizations develop their capacity for producing or presenting arts programs.
Intention to Apply and Proof of Eligibility
All applicants should submit a letter stating intention to apply to arrive by February 1, 2020. New applicants must attach to this letter the following documents to determine proof of eligibility:
- Organization address and contact information
- Articles of Incorporation
- Applicant's by-laws with date adopted
- Letters of state and federal tax exemption
- Mission statement, list of board of directors, and board meeting dates
- Profit and loss statement for last fiscal year
- Budget for current year
Once the letters are received, staff will determine eligibility and schedule individual meetings to take place by February 28, 2020. Once applicant has met with staff, a full application should be submitted by March 5, 2020.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants for New Generation grants must:
- be a non-profit 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 local 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, 2020.
*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; and
- request at least $1,000.
Eligible programs must:
- take place between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021; and
- be compatible with the applicant’s mission.
Applicants for New Generation grants may not apply in any other United Arts grant category.
Maximum Grant Request
Applicants may apply for a maximum of $6,000. There is no cash match required.
Evaluation Criteria
United Arts staff will review New Generation applications and make funding recommendations to the United Arts Board of Directors. Each application in the New Generation category will be evaluated on an overall impression of the applicant's strengths in the following areas:
Artistic Quality, Merit, Integrity
- Professional artistic direction and vision
- Relationship between applicant’s stated mission, goals, environment, and history of artistic accomplishment to program's goals and activities
- Qualifications, background, and expertise of the artists, instructors, or staff involved
- Potential of activities to extend participants' knowledge and/or skills in the arts and/or other curriculum areas
- Quality and clarity of program plans and potential for proposed activities to meet program goals
Community Impact
- Demonstrated awareness of, and response to, the needs and interests of a diverse community and audience
- Engagement/impact on audiences and participants
- Efforts to involve a diversity of participants
- Involvement of avocational and/or professional artists
- Degree to which the organization seeks to work collaboratively and share resources with other community groups
Program Management
- Administrative capacity, resources, planning and expertise to ensure success
- Effective marketing
- Appropriate evaluation strategies that are matched to program goals
Financial Management of Organization
- Financial stability
- Fiscal responsibility
Compliance
- Completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of application
- Completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of reports and other requirements