GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT (GOS) TIER

(Organizations with budgets between $500,000 and $10 million)

Please read the following information in full as we have made several changes to the 2021 application process in light of COVID-19.

For new applicants:
In an effort to support our grantees as they navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, Culture Works will not be accepting new/first-time Community Arts Grant applicants in 2021. Organizations interested in applying in future cycles can refer to the criteria below to get a sense of what to expect in a typical year, and we encourage you to reach out to Karen Maner, Culture Works Grants Manager, at kmaner@cultureworks.org to discuss the process of establishing eligibility.

For returning applicants:
To support existing Community Arts Grantees as they navigate the challenges of COVID-19, we’ve made several temporary changes to the Community Arts Grant eligibility criteria and application process for 2021-2022 funding. These changes are:

• A revised application. To receive continued funding in 2021-2022, current Community Arts Grantees will be asked to complete an application in spring 2021; however, the 2021 application will be shorter than in previous years and will include opportunities for organizations to share COVID-related updates.

• A closed panel process. A panel review provides a valuable opportunity for organizations to receive expert, unbiased feedback on their programs and recommendations for improvement. To that end, an independent panel will review 2021 applications and provide written feedback for applicant organizations. However, panelists will not discuss applications at a public meeting in 2021, and panelist scores will not be used to calculate 2021-2022 award amounts.

• Reduced financial requirements. In recognition of the financial losses many organizations have suffered due to COVID-19, Community Arts Grantees will not be penalized for falling below the required budget thresholds due to FY2020 financial losses. Additionally, we recognize that a full audit represents a significant expense. To alleviate this financial burden, in 2021, organizations in the General Operating Support category will be allowed to submit a FY2020 financial review certified by a CPA in lieu of audited financials. Grantees will still be asked to submit a form 990 for the most recently completed fiscal year.

• Carried-over figures for funding calculation. Our goal is to fund 2021-2022 Community Arts Grantees at their pre-pandemic, 2019-2020 funding levels. To that end, we will use the financial figures and panel scores received during the 2019 application cycle to calculate 2021-2022 grant amounts.

Temporary Eligibility Criteria – 2021 APPLICATION CYCLE
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT (GOS)

General Operating Support Grant eligibility is restricted to nonprofit, 501(c)(3) arts/cultural organizations that are professionally managed by full-time administrative and artistic staff. In a typical year, applicants in the General Operating Support category must demonstrate an organizational annual budget figure not less than $500,000 and not more than $10 million; however, in light of widespread FY2020 financial losses due to COVID-19, this requirement will be temporarily waived during the 2021 application cycle, and we will defer to the financial figures submitted in the 2019 application cycle for the purposes of determining eligibility and award amounts. The annual organizational budget figure is the organization’s revenues for the most recently completed fiscal year per Part 1, Line 12, of the Form 990. Culture Works may defer to an organization's audited financials at its discretion.

The organization must complete a Cultural Data Project profile and have a standing of “review complete” prior to the application deadline. Organizations must demonstrate fiscal responsibility. Organizations receiving funding through the United Way or who have received funding from another united arts fund within the past two years are not eligible to apply for Culture Works General Operating Support. Faith-based arts organizations may only apply if 100% of their programming is open to a general audience.

Minimum Eligibility Criteria:

• An independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to create, produce, present or provide arts or cultural experiences for the public
• Offices are located within and a majority of program activities take place within a 30-mile radius of downtown Dayton
• Incorporated in the State of Ohio with an operating history of a minimum of three years
• Licensed to solicit funds in the State of Ohio
• Professional, full-time paid administrative and/or artistic staff
• Board of Directors that meets at least four times per year and is comprised of members that are representative of the community’s social, economic, and racial diversity
• In the 2021 application cycle, organizations in the General Operating Support category will be allowed to submit a FY2020 financial review certified by a CPA in lieu of a full audit performed by a recognized accounting firm. All applicants will still be required to submit a form 990 from the most recently completed fiscal year.
• A record of active organizational support of Culture Works demonstrated by:
  • Grantees must comply with the following requirements on an on-going basis:
    1. Participating in the Passport to the Arts program with a reasonably proportional number of offerings compared to total offerings within the performance season. If the organization is not a performing arts organization, other provisions to meet this requirement will be discussed on a case-by-case basis.
    2. Providing performance vouchers and/or other incentives for Culture Works to distribute at Workplace Giving kickoffs and other Campaign events.
• Each applicant organization must schedule a time for Culture Works leadership to present to the organization’s Board of Directors at a full board meeting. The applicant organization is responsible for scheduling Culture Works on the agenda and notifying Culture Works of the meeting date. As recipients of Campaign funding, grantee organizations are expected to assist Culture Works in promoting the Campaign both internally and in the community. Each grantee organization will host a formal Board Member giving campaign and a Workplace Giving Campaign during the application fiscal year.
• Financial support of the annual Campaign by staff leadership (Executive Director or equivalent).
• Evidence of adherence to prior year’s grant agreement and crediting requirements.