2024-25 Grassroots Program Grant for Organizations & Schools in North Carolina
The Orange County Arts Commission (OCAC) is currently accepting applications for its 2024-25 Grassroots Arts Program. This grant program is designed to fund quality arts programs and support the operations of arts organizations within Orange County, North Carolina. The OCAC's mission, though not explicitly stated in detail, is clearly aligned with fostering and sustaining a vibrant arts community through financial support. The Grassroots Arts Program serves as a direct mechanism to achieve this by providing essential funding that might otherwise be unavailable to smaller arts initiatives and organizations. The target beneficiaries of this program are nonprofit arts organizations or organizations with a nonprofit sponsor that have been in operation for at least one year and are physically located in Orange County. Individual artists are not eligible. The program aims to impact the arts landscape of Orange County by enabling organizations to conduct diverse arts programs and maintain their operational capacity. This includes supporting both program-related expenses, such as artist fees, marketing, and equipment rental, and operating expenses like salaries, rent, and utilities for qualifying organizations. The program prioritizes both the direct delivery of arts programs and the sustainable operation of arts and cultural organizations. For program-related requests, a maximum limit of $5,000 is set, emphasizing support for specific artistic endeavors. Similarly, operating expense requests also have a maximum limit of $5,000 and are specifically for organizations with an arts-based mission and an annual operating budget of less than $2 million, and who are not already receiving operating support from the N.C. Arts Council or N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. This focus ensures that the grant effectively reaches smaller, local organizations that may have limited access to other significant funding sources. Expected outcomes include an increase in the number and quality of arts programs available to the residents of Orange County, as well as the strengthened operational stability of local arts organizations. Measurable results would be evidenced by the successful execution of funded projects between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, and the continued operation of arts organizations that receive support for their operational costs. While a formal "theory of change" is not detailed, the underlying strategy is to provide accessible, targeted financial aid to nurture the arts at a local, grassroots level, thereby enhancing the cultural richness and accessibility of the arts within the community. The grant size, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, and a duration of one year, suggests a focus on impactful, yet often smaller-scale, initiatives and operational needs.
Award Range
Not specified - $5,000
Total Program Funding
Not specified
Number of Awards
Not specified
Matching Requirement
Yes - All grantees are required to match their grant amounts dollar for dollar. The funds must come from other public or private sources. In-kind donations of goods or services may be used as matching funds. Other N.C. Arts Council funds or state funds (i.e. public university dollars) cannot be used as a match.
Eligible Applicants
Additional Requirements
All organizations must have been in operation for at least one year, and must be either a nonprofit organization or have a nonprofit sponsor to receive funds on their behalf. All organizations must physically reside in Orange County. (Organizations serving more than one county should apply for Grassroots funding through the county in which they are physically located) Organizations that receive general support funds through the N.C. Arts Council or the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources are not eligible for Grassroots funds. Individuals are not eligible to apply for Grassroots Arts funds. Applications and support materials must be submitted electronically by the due date.
Geographic Eligibility
Orange County (NC)
Application Opens
June 5, 2024
Application Closes
June 30, 2024
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