Greater Sudbury Arts & Culture Grant Program in Canada

Deadline: 9-Feb-23

The City of Greater Sudbury is excited to announce the Greater Sudbury Arts & Culture Grant Program to stimulate the growth and development of this important economic sector, increases its potential to attract and retain a talented and creative workforce and presents an investment in quality of life for all residents.

Objectives

To provide funding support in line with the priorities identified in the Cultural Plan in order to foster the growth and development of the local arts and culture sector.

Type of Grants

Small Project Grants
Large Project Grants
Operating Grants

Funding Information

Small Project Grants: Amount requested under $2,999, to a maximum of 75% of the Project budget
Large Project Grants: Amount requested between $3,000 up to $20,000, to a maximum of 50% of the Project budget
Operating Grants: Amount requested between $10,000 up to $75,000, maximum of 25% of operating budget

Eligibility Criteria

Grants fall within two streams and are administered separately as follows:
- Project Grants “Projects” may include (but are not limited to):
  - Special/one-time activities including exhibits, performances or specific aspects of festival participation (e.g.: website development, ticketing system, etc).
  - Training and development for skills upgrading within the organization for the benefit of the community (capacity building). Examples may include board training in governance or financial literacy, volunteer programs or development opportunities for staff.
Acquisition of equipment necessary for the ongoing development of the organization (e.g.: point-of-sale system), which does not include equipment that must be replenished each year. Applicants must demonstrate how the equipment fits with the following criteria to be considered eligible:
- Is vital to the success of a larger project or program that aligns with the assessment criteria
- Is of reasonable cost and specification for the use described
- The organization has the training and capacity in place to use the equipment properly
- The organization will retain the equipment as a long-term resource and/or must be portable
There are two types of Project Grants:
- Small Project Grants
  - Be an incorporated not-for-profit arts/culture organization or an unincorporated arts/culture organization/collective that has its Headquarters established in the City of Greater Sudbury. In the event an organization with Headquarters outside of Greater Sudbury makes an application for funding, substantial local involvement must be demonstrated.
  - Maintain a clear distinction in programs and budgets between the organization’s ongoing activities and its arts/culture project.
  - Have a stable volunteer/staff base in place to carry out activities (i.e.: demonstrate governance structure and partners).
  - Requests from organizations whose primary mandate is not arts/culture may be considered if the project demonstrates a significant arts/culture component that enhances community access or promotes the development of the arts/culture sector.
- Large Project Grants
  - Be an incorporated not-for-profit arts/culture organization that has its Headquarters established in the City of Greater Sudbury. In the event an organization with Headquarters outside of Greater Sudbury makes an application for funding, substantial local involvement must be demonstrated.
  - Maintain a clear distinction in programs and budgets between the organization’s ongoing activities and its arts/culture project.
  - Have a stable volunteer/staff base in place to carry out activities (i.e.: demonstrate governance structure and partners).
  - Have an independent and volunteer board of directors that meets regularly and does not receive financial remuneration for this project.
  - Have received a minimum of two Small Project Grants ($2,999 or less) in the past three years and an established record of success.
  - Submit financial statements for the Applicant organization that are in line with the generally accepted accounting procedures (GAAP).
  - Requests from organizations whose primary mandate is not arts/culture may be considered if the project demonstrates a significant arts/culture component that enhances community access or promotes the development of the arts/culture sector.
- Regardless of the amount requested, projects must:
  - Have a distinct start and end date within the year for which the grant is provided.
  - Have specific deliverables based on the project.
  - Benefit the residents of the City of Greater Sudbury as laid out in the Greater Sudbury Cultural Plan.
  - Fit within a realistic budget (contact staff to inquire about realistic request levels and expenses for the specific project), and have sources of funding other than the City of Greater Sudbury.
  - Demonstrate a willingness to cooperate with related groups in the community.
  - Include quotes when requesting funding for equipment purchases or other third party products and services.
Operating Grants
- The Applicant must:
  - Be an established and incorporated not-for-profit arts/culture organization that is has its Headquarters established in the City of Greater Sudbury with arts/culture as its primary mandate.
  - Have been in existence for at least four years providing regularly scheduled artistic/cultural programming to the community.
  - Have received minimum of three Large Project Grants within the past five years.
  - Outline its services with specific deliverables that benefit the residents of the City of Greater Sudbury as laid out in the Greater Sudbury Cultural Plan.
  - Demonstrate a willingness to cooperate with related groups in the community.
  - Have received recognition for excellence in their artistic/cultural discipline (e.g.: in the form of peer support, awards, media, etc).
  - Outline future planning in the form of an established strategic plan, including activities with a funding term of three years.
  - Demonstrate a considerable volunteer component.
  - Have an independent and active governing board of directors composed of volunteer board members.
  - Have employment practices that comply with applicable legislative requirements.
  - Demonstrate financial stability for at least three consecutive years and at least $75,000 in total revenues for the last completed year, and in projected revenues for the current and request years.
  - Demonstrate the need for the requested funding and provide evidence that funds are confirmed/projected from a variety of other sources that are clearly stated in the application (i.e.: donations, sponsorships, user fees, other government sources).
  - Organizational surpluses and reserves will be examined. When a surplus with a value in excess of three months’ operating expenses exists, further justification is required.
  - Include a signed board motion indicating the following:
    - “On behalf of and with the legal authority of the organization, they certify that they have read, understand and agree to abide by the terms and conditions set out in the City of Greater Sudbury Arts & Culture Grant Program. Further, they certify that the information given in this application for funding assistance is true and complete in every respect.”
  - Requirements for financial statements include submitting information through CADAC and are dependent on the level of the request:
    - $25,000 or less requires a Review Engagement financial statement provided by an independent, professionally designated accountant;
    - Over $25,000 requires an Audited financial statement provided by an independent, professionally designated accountant.

Ineligible

An application may be considered ineligible if:
- The Applicant has submitted another application to the Arts & Culture Grant Program that year. While there may be individuals associated with multiple applications (i.e.: as member of the Board, contact person, participating artist, etc.) there must also be a significant difference in decision-making authorities from one organization to another.
- The organization receives 80% or more of its funding from other government sources.
- The organization acts in the capacity of a funding body for, or makes grants to, any other group or organization that is/will also be funded by the City (e.g.: a foundation whose core mandate is fundraising).
- The funding is intended to support organizations that are primarily training or educational institutions.
- Its proposed activities duplicate support provided by the City of Greater Sudbury directly.
- The request includes capital or deficit funding.
- The Applicant is in default to the City due to failure to report satisfactorily for previous grants, failure to refund grant overpayments or due to unpaid accounts.
- “Stacking” of municipal fund is allowed, and funding can be used from different municipal funders. However the other municipal funding must not be used for the same expenses as Arts and Culture Grant funding. Budgets must explicitly indicate how all municipal funding will be used, i.e.: Operating Grant Applicants can use the notes section in CADAC to elaborate.