Deadline: 30-Mar-21
The Arts Work Fund (AWF) is seeking applications for its Think Grants to give arts organizations the time and space to think through a question, analyze challenges and opportunities, and develop plans or small tests of change.
Competitive proposals will demonstrate how and why the organization selected the challenge or the questions to be examined and how they will structure their exploration. Priority will be given to groups of organizations working together to share and explore answers.
Funding Information
- Think Grants – up to $20,000 for arts organizations led by, for, and about BIPOC, people with disabilities, LGBTQ people, and women.
- Think Grants – up to $15,000 for all other eligible organizations.
Criteria for Think Grants
- Clear identification of the question to be addressed.
- A case for why the question is important to the organization right now.
- A clear and appropriate plan for exploring potential answers to the question and quickly test possible solutions.
- Appropriateness of the proposed budget.
- A system for assessing the effectiveness of the project, with effectiveness defined by the organization.
- The potential impact on the organization(s).
Eligibility Criteria
Overall Grant Eligibility:
- The applicant organization must have an arts-based mission.
- A current IRS 501(c) (3) public charity designation determination letter.
- Arts organizations led by, for, and about black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), with operating expenses of $2 million and below.
- Any arts and culture organization with operating expenses of $800,000 and below.
- Located in and serving Chicago and Cook County.
- If a former Arts Work Fund grant recipient, the applicant must have submitted a final report for previous grant activities.
Grant Process and Criteria
- At least 65% of grants will be allocated to arts organizations by, for, and about BIPOC communities.
- A review panel will make decisions of artists, arts leaders, and AWF funders. People associated with organizations that are eligible for this grant opportunity are ineligible to serve on the review panel.
- Applicants will determine the use of grant funds (e.g., salary, consultants). In the past, AWF asked arts organizations to use their funds to hire consultants. This is no longer the case. The review panel will look for budgets that reflect the work being proposed.
- Applicants do not need to present a “new” idea. Funds can support an existing effort or be used as part of a larger effort that has funding from several sources. However, the review panel will consider how an AWF grant helps propel the project forward.
- Organizations decide whether to apply for a THINK or EXPLORE grant. An organization can apply for an EXPLORE grant without having received a THINK grant.
- Collaborative applications are highly encouraged and will be considered a priority. Collaborative proposals can include organizations that fall outside AWF’s budget guidelines but must show how they advance the work of eligible organizations. For collaborative projects, prepare a budget that provides for equitable resource distribution for all partners.
- Cross-sector proposals (working with a non-arts organization or individual) are eligible. For cross-sector proposals, describe the benefit to the arts organization and prepare a budget that ensures the arts organization benefits from most of the funding provided.
For more information, visit https://artsworkfund.org/think.html