Arts Organizations

Two-Year Operating Grant

Grant Coordinator: Cassandra Erickson
cassandra.erickson@dcr.nh.gov
(603) 271-7926

This grant permits organizations to apply for funding that can be used for general support.

New Two-Year Operating Grants will not be offered in FY 2009.

A major overhaul is being undertaken which will be reflected in the next grant cycle FY2010-FY2011.
The new guidelines will be announced when they become available.

The deadline for the next two-year cycle will be in March of 2009.

Who May Apply?
Non-profit organizations with incorporation in New Hampshire and a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service, whose primary mission is to produce, present or serve the arts; that also meet the following conditions:

• Have a long-range plan in place that covers the grant period;
• Be fully in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements;
• Have a paid full-time arts administrator who is employed by the organization for at least 9 months of the year;
• Have an independent board of directors that meets at least quarterly;
• Have been in continuous operation as a 501(C)(3) non-profit arts organization for at least five years prior to application for an Operating Grant;
• Have a projected cash match, excluding federal and state grants, of at least ten dollars for each grant dollar requested from the Council;
• Have submitted all required reports on past Council grants;
• Are in good standing with the NHSCA and NH Attorney General’s Office.

Restrictions

• Operating Grant recipients may not apply for an Organizational Support Project or Mini-Grant during their Operating Grant period.
• Grant awards may not be used for previously incurred debts or deficits or endowments.
• Applicant organization must be physically located in New Hampshire, not just incorporated in the state.
• In general, a college, university, library, or school is not eligible for operating grants unless its primary mission is the arts and the majority of its arts activities are open to the general public. Independent arts units within an educational institution with separate administrative and program budgets and independent advisory councils, such as some college art galleries, are eligible.

How to Apply
Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend one of the grants information sessions held in the fall or to discuss their proposals with the coordinator whose name appears above before writing their application. Draft applications may be reviewed if submitted at least two weeks in advance of the application deadline. First time applicants are especially encouraged to submit draft applications.

Last updated: February 11, 2008