Deadline: 15-Dec-20
The Connecticut General Assembly has established the Connecticut Arts Endowment Fund (CAEF) to stimulate the development of private sector funding and to ensure the long-term stability of Connecticut’s arts industry by providing funding to organizations.
The Fund is managed by the Office of the State Treasurer and the program is administered by the Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA).
CAEF grants are “unrestricted,” that is, organizations may apply funds toward programming, administrative or operational costs, capital projects, equipment purchase, or to build their own endowments.
Funding Formula
Applicants do not specify a grant request amount. Grant awards are calculated solely on the following formula:
- Year 1 “Prior Fiscal Year”: For the portion of donor contributions which is equal to $15,000 or more but does not exceed the total donor contributions for the prior fiscal year, there shall be a match of 25% of such amount, capped at $250,000.
- Year 2 “Most Recent Fiscal Year”: For the portion of the total donor contributions that exceed the total donor contributions for the prior fiscal year, there shall be a match of 100%, capped at $1 million.
If the total amount of grants to be paid exceeds the investment earnings of the Arts Endowment Fund, all grants shall be reduced on a pro-rata basis.
Eligibility Criteria
- An applicant must be a Connecticut Arts Organization that meets the definition below.
- An arts organization is defined as an organization whose core mission, vision, focus and legal purpose, as stated in its Articles of Incorporation and bylaws, articulate a commitment to create, perform, present or promote artistic activities
AND
- At least 51 per cent of its annual fiscal expenditures are allocated specifically to support artistic activities, arts programs/services and arts-based initiatives.
Additional Criteria
- Raised more than $15,000 in donor contributions from private-sector, non-governmental sources for two (2) consecutive fiscal years, one of which is the organization’s most recently completed fiscal year;
- Filed, prior to the application due date, an IRS Form 990 or IRS Form 990-EZ that substantiates total donor contributions;
- Have tax-exempt status under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code;
- Be incorporated in Connecticut as a not-for-profit for at least two (2) years prior to the application due date;
- Primary place of business and operations in Connecticut; and
- Have a current Certificate of Good Standing (aka Certificate of Legal Existence) from the Connecticut Secretary of State’s Office.
Grant Requirements
Connecticut Arts Endowment grants provide unrestricted funds that may be used for a wide variety of operational and program functions, including but not limited to:
- Staff Salaries;
- Payments to contracted artistic, technical or administrative professionals;
- Production, travel, telephone, shipping and postage costs;
- Space rental; occupancy costs (maintenance, security, insurance, utilities, etc.);
- Printing, advertising and marketing costs;
- Evaluation services and documentation (photo, video, audio, collection of statistical information, etc.);
- Travel and conference registration expenses for staff and/or volunteers to attend local, regional or national relevant industry conferences, workshops, retreats, clinics, etc.
For more information, visit https://bit.ly/34CWZOH
