ST. JOHNS CULTURAL COUNCIL

 STATE OF THE ARTS GRANTS

Applications should be mailed to SJCC, 15 Old Mission Avenue, St. Augustine, FL 32084, postmarked on or before April 15 or October 1, 4:00pm

The St Johns Cultural Council (SJCC) is pleased to announce the availability of small grants for non-profit organizations, individual artists, and teachers.  Funding is made possible through revenue from the sale of State of the Arts license plates in St Johns County.  The Council is especially interested in arts education and outreach to underserved areas. Grant applications are due on or before October 1, or April 15.  Applicants may apply for a grant of $500 or less. Grant forms, general information and guidelines are below. For further information please call the Cultural Council 904-808-7330 or e-mail questions to stjohnscultural@bellsouth.net.

 Arts License Plate Program Guidelines & Instruction

The St. Johns Cultural Council is a 501-C3 nonprofit organization. Structured as a member-based organization, the SJCC currently maintains operations at 15 Old Mission Avenue, St. Augustine. The mission of the Council is to promote St. Johns County as a premiere arts destination where the lives of both residents and visitors are enriched through arts and culture.

PURPOSE OF ARTS LICENSE PLATE GRANT PROGRAM

The Cultural Council provides funding to St. Johns County non-profit organizations, schools, and individual artists through the License Plate Grant Program in an effort to broaden its support for artistic and cultural programs and projects.  Of particular interest is arts education and outreach to underserved areas. Proposals are evaluated on uniqueness, quality and impact.

FUNDING

There are two funding cycles  with applications due on April 15^th or October 1^st. Grant requests may not exceed $500.  Notification will be sent one month after the application due date. It is the intention of the Cultural Council grant panel to provide as many organizations with funding as possible, within the available budget. 

 Programs/projects must take place, and funds must be expended, during the grant period. 

If a grant is awarded, the St. Johns Cultural Council and the State of the Arts License Plate Program must be recognized for sponsorship of the funded program/project in all related publicity/printed matter.

The application is below. Applicants can copy the application and paste it into a word processing program, such as Word, to facilitate completion of the form. Applications should be typed (in 11 font or larger) or neatly hand written. Grants can be hand-delivered (by 4:00pm on the date due) or mailed  to: St Johns Cultural Council, 15 Old Mission Avenue, St. Augustine, FL 32084. For questions:  Phone: 904-808-7330, E-Mail: stjohnscultural@bellsouth.net

ELIGIBILITY

Organizations, artists and schools may apply for new or expanded programs in the following disciplines: arts in education; music, dance; folk arts; humanities; literature; film/video/media; theatre and musical theatre; visual arts; or the collection or exhibition of cultural or artistic works.

ALLOWABLE GRANT EXPENDITURES:

o        Production costs

o        Expendable materials

o        Equipment rentals

o        Marketing

o        Salary support related to the proposed program or project

o        Artistic, administrative, technical, consultant fees

NON ALLOWABLE GRANT EXPENDITURES

o        Capital expenditures or debt reduction

o        Fund Raising events or other contributions/donations

o        Hospitality Costs (private entertainment, food or beverages)

o        Expenses incurred or obligated prior to or after the grant period.

 EVALUATION CRITERIA:

The grant review panel will evaluate proposals based on the criteria below. 

ARTISTIC & EDUCATIONAL MERIT                                              40 points

MANAGEMENT CAPABILITY                                                           20 points

MARKETING:                                                                                      5 points

IMPACT TO TARGET AUDIENCE                                                  30 points

CAPACITY TO ATTRACT OTHER FINANCIAL SUPPORT         5 points

For Public or Private School Teachers/Schools only

• Applications must be for new programs or for substantial enhancements to existing programs in St Johns County public schools.
• Bonus points may be awarded to projects that integrate the arts with other studies.
• Funds are granted only for programs or projects that are artistic in nature but teachers of any discipline may apply.
• Applications for large equipment purchases are generally discouraged.
• If an awarded teacher moves to another school, equipment or permanent materials purchased with grant funds become property of the applying school unless the school agrees to allow them to go with the teacher to another St Johns County School.
• Teachers submitting grants for artists or arts organizations to provide programs must submit a letter from the artists/organization confirming their intention to provide stated programs.

For All Applicants- Please remember:

Keep a copy of the completed application for your records. Submitted applications become the property of the Cultural Council. Applications must be received on or before due date. Four copies of each application must be submitted at that time.

The Cultural Council reserves the right to return your grant application should you not provide the requested information from the above list or appropriate number of copies or if your request falls outside of the stated grant objectives.  If you would like staff to review your grant in advance of the deadline to ensure compliance, please call 904-808-7330 to schedule a meeting with a representative from the Grant Review Committee at least ten (10) days in advance of the grant deadline.

 POST GRANT REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

IMPORTANT!  Final Reports are due to SJCC 30 days after the completion of the project/activity. If a funded project/activity is not completed before applying for a new grant, a progress report will be required.   Applicants that fail to meet this requirement will not be eligible for grant awards from the Cultural Council.

Final Report should include a brief narrative, financial report and any supporting documentation including copies of receipts and publicity by deadlines noted in award letter.  A final report form is included in the application.

STATE OF THE ARTS” LICENSE PLATE GRANT APPLICATION

Answer all questions and include requested attachments.

  If an answer does not apply to you mark an “N/A” or “Not Applicable.”

Date      _________________________________________ __________________

Title of Grant_________________________________________ __________________

Amount Requested______________________________________________________

Your Name _________________________________________________________________

Address_____________________________________________________________________

City: ____________________ State: _____________ Zip _________________

Home phone: ___________________ cell: _________________________

E-mail  ______________________________________________________________________

Have you received a Cultural Council grant in the past?  Yes___     No___

If yes, for what project(s) and what were the dates for the project?    

Have you submitted your final project report?

Public or Private School Teachers Answer Additional Questions Below:

School______________________________________________________________________

 School address: ______________________________________________________________

City: ____________________ State: _____________ Zip _________________

 School phone: ___________________

 Arts discipline taught (circle all that apply):     Visual              Music               Theatre                         Dance                   Creative Writing         

Other discipline(s) taught, if applicable   ___________________________________________

What grade(s) do you teach?  ____________________________________________________

Is your school designated as a Title 1 School? ________Yes ________No

 Will disadvantaged or at-risk students be served?      ____ No  ___ Yes

Teacher signature                                                                                            Date

______________________________________________________________________________

Principal signature                                                                                           Date

NARRATIVE

Please respond to the following in three or less double-spaced, typed pages:

1.    Describe what your proposed project is in clear and concise narrative. 

2.    Describe when and where the event(s) will take place (provide an event schedule if appropriate).       

3.    Describe who your target audience will be.

4.    List all the principal participants and their titles. Include a brief resume for each.

5.    Why should this project receive Cultural Council funding?

6   Describe your project goals.

7.  Detail how these goals will be measured.

8   How will grant funds be used (reflect this in the budget detail)?

TEACHERS ONLY

9. List art discipline(s) involved & other subjects integrated, if applicable.

10.Give total number of students to be served and grade level(s).  

·        Submit Letter of support signed by the school principal or your department head.

·        Submit Letter of intent from any collaborating artists or organizations if applicable

 FOR ALL APPLICANTS 

o        The following should be attached to the original and EACH of  four (4) stapled copies:

o        Letter of support from collaborating agency/school, if relevant to the proposal, indicating participation in the project.

o        No more than three (3) additional support documents (such as programs, articles and letters of recommendation).

o        Brief resumes of artistic personnel involved

o        One page organizational history (if applicable)

For organizations the following should also be attached to the original only:

o        Face sheet from Articles of Incorporation

o      Copy of the IRS letter of tax-exempt status                                       

PROJECT BUDGET

Each grant award is $500 or less.  There are no matching requirements.  The grant request can either fully fund the proposed program/project or supplement its budget. 

Total cost of program/project:  $ ____________

Amount requested for this grant $___________

Name any additional sources and amounts of revenue for the program/project and whether or not this funding has been secured:

Provide a summary of expense items and amounts projected for program/project:

 Applicant Signature:_________________________________________________________________ Date:__________________________________

ST. JOHNS CULTURAL COUNCIL/STATE OF FLORIDA "STATE OF THE ARTS"

LICENSE PLATE GRANT PROGRAM

 Final Report Form

Mail the completed form along with any supporting documentation to the Cultural Council no later than one year from original date of grant notification.  This form may be recreated.  Please direct any questions to 904-808-7330.       

St Johns Cultural Council

15 Old MIssion Ave.