Deadline: 05-Aug-21
The United Arts of Central Florida is currently inviting applications for the Operating Support Grants.
Operating Support Grants fund programming by cultural nonprofit organizations, increasing the variety of cultural experiences available to residents and visitors in Central Florida. This comprehensive grant program recognizes the high value of arts and culture for the region and the established institutions that provide cultural programming for the public year-round.
The proposed programming must be cultural (arts, sciences, or humanities), occur in Lake, Orange, or Osceola or counties, and open to the public. Examples include performances, exhibitions, festivals, arts education, and the commissioning of new works. In support of this programming, this grant funds both operating expenses (which could include overhead such as salaries, rent, technology, etc.) and programmatic expenses. Grant dollars cannot be used for any of the following activities:
- Capital expenditures (including acquisitions or equipment), or any building, renovation, or remodeling of facilities
- Deficit reduction, bad debts, contingencies, fines and penalties, interest payments, litigation costs, or any other comparable financial costs
- Contributions to cash reserves and/or endowment funds
- Lobbying or attempting to influence federal, state, or local legislation
- Awards, prizes, or scholarships for use outside the applicant’s programming
- Regranting, contributions, or donations
Eligibility Criteria
New applicants must send three years of financial statements and a list of recent programming. To apply, the organization must meet all of the following requirements:
- Nonprofit 501(c)(3) status for a minimum of three years as of the grant deadline, in good standing with State of FL Division of Corporations & the IRS. United Arts will verify current 501(c)(3) status.
- Completed three years of operations, providing cultural programming (defined as production, presentation or instruction of performing, visual, literary or media arts, the sciences, or history and heritage);
- Principal office located and programming (three years) provided in, in Lake, Orange, or Osceola counties;
- Arts/Cultural primary mission;
- Have received and successfully completed one or more other grants from United Arts prior to applying for Operating Support;
- Local governing board (may include members who reside outside Central Florida) that meets at least quarterly and operates under a set of bylaws;
- Provide equal access and opportunity in employment and services and may not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender, ancestry, national origin, geography, age, varying abilities, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, citizenship status, or socioeconomic status.
Organizations that do not meet all criteria (or produce only one event per year) may be eligible for other United Arts programs.
For more information, visit https://unitedarts.cc/grantee-resources/grants/