United Arts Council of Greensboro

Mission Support Grants

General Information

The United Arts Council’s (UAC) Mission Support Grant program is funded in part by the North Carolina Arts Council’s Grassroots Program and from foundations, corporations, and individual donors.

Mission Support Grants are a two-year program for mature arts organizations with unrestricted operating revenue exceeding $500,000 annually for the past three (3) consecutive years. Applicants must have a demonstrated record of success in creating or presenting programs of the highest artistic quality and regional significance and further all three of the UAC’s strategic priorities.

UAC Mission:
The United Arts Council is Greensboro’s dedicated source of financial support for our creative community, the only umbrella arts resource -- funding arts and culture, from nationally recognized programs, community arts projects, and arts-in-education initiatives to mission support for legacy institutions -- with a high priority on access to the arts across all cultures, ages, and economic backgrounds.

UAC Strategic Priorities:

1. ACCESS –Increase community access to the arts, and ensure rich diversity, sustainability, and growth of arts resources.
2. ECONOMIC VITALITY – Support economic vitality and position Greensboro as a cultural destination by recognizing innovation and excellence in creativity.
3. ARTS EDUCATION – Foster life-long learning in and through the arts.

What we fund:
The United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro invests, through competitive grant programs, in high quality arts experiences which further the UAC strategic priorities.

Funding Goals:

• The creation and/or presentation of high-quality arts programming – including the visual arts, music, dance, theatre, and other performance, instructional and/or creative arts programs or art forms. Priority is given to the arts experience, and not on expenses associated with endowment-building, capital projects, fund raising, debt reduction, the acquisition of equipment, or training programs.
• High quality arts programs that demonstrate defined and measureable outcomes.
• Programs that increase access to the arts, engage the community, and enrich the varied cultural vitality of Greater Greensboro.
• Arts education experiences that inspire and engage.
• UAC supports nonprofit arts organizations, programs and projects which leverage other support in the community, and participate in UAC’s fundraising efforts on behalf of the arts.

Eligibility Requirements and General Funding Policies

• Organizations must be based out of and deliver product in the Greater Greensboro market.
• Applicants must demonstrate sound management and governance practices, and fiscal responsibility.
• Organizations receiving or applying for a Mission Support Grant may not apply for Project Support.
• If a prior grant recipient, applicant must be current with final reports to the UAC and must have a solid track record of compliance with UAC grant requirements.
• UAC does not fund grant-making organizations, entities which receive a majority of their operating budget from a unit of government, or college/ university programs.  Arts in education grants in K-12 schools are the only exception to this policy.
• UAC funds cannot be used for private functions, fund-raising events, receptions, food or beverages.
• UAC reserves the right to make a final decision on an organization’s or artist’s eligibility and/or funding.

Guidelines for Mission Support

• Two-year program for mature nonprofit arts organizations, with unrestricted operating revenue exceeding $500,000 annually for the past three (3) consecutive years
• Demonstrated record of success in creating or presenting programs of the highest artistic quality with regional significance, engaging diverse participants, and providing high quality and/or innovative arts in education programming (all three UAC strategic priorities)
• Applicants must demonstrate the ability to effectively track data needed by the UAC to fulfill reporting requirements of UAC funders. Information includes ethnicity of participants, number of seniors, veterans, women, disabled, and students on free and reduced lunch
• Funding must be matched dollar-for-dollar by the applicant. Public funds, restricted funds, or in-kind gifts may not be used to match a UAC Mission Support Grant
• Funds granted annually will generally not exceed 8%  of organizational unrestricted operating budget, or $100,000, whichever is less
• Eligibility for this category is pre-determined by UAC staff
• Multi-year support is contingent on UAC meeting annual funding targets, and is subject to change based on annual review
• Mission Support Grants generally range between $30,000 and $100,000, depending on available funding

Application Process

1. Application
   • Fax, electronic and late applications will not be accepted.
   • Paper version of the application form, narrative and required attachments must be submitted by application deadline.
   • Applications must be submitted via one of these methods:
     • Mail: United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro, PO Box 877, Greensboro, NC 27402
     • Hand-delivery, Federal Express, UPS or other delivery service: UAC, Greensboro Cultural Center, 200 N. Davie Street, Suite 201. Office hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday – Friday
   • Questions may be directed to UAC staff at 336-373-7523, ext. 248 or grants@uacARTS.org.
   • Deadline:  April 15, 5:00 pm. If deadline falls on a weekend, applications are due by 5pm on the next business day.
2. Application Review
   • Receipt of grant application will be acknowledged in writing.
   • Applications are screened for completeness and eligibility.
   • Applications are reviewed with funding determinations based upon:
     • Demonstrated ability to deliver a high quality artistic product
     • Support of the UAC’s three strategic priorities
     • Demonstrated ability to plan for and carry out the proposed work
     • Financial stability of applicant
   • Applicants will be required to attend a 15 minute interview with the grant panel on deliberation day
   • Proposals may be awarded in full or in part, with contingencies, or declined
3. Notification
   • Award recipients will receive notification of funding and a grant contract.
   • Signed contract is required prior to UAC issuing funds.
   • Notification date: July - August
4. Funding
   • First installment of grant will be funded in October with subsequent installments in January, April and July.
   • All installments are contingent upon UAC meeting annual funding targets.
5. Final Report
   • Final report form is available at http://www.uacarts.org/grants/index.asp
   • Deadline: July 1
6. UAC reserves the right to make the final decision on an organization’s eligibility and/or funding.

 

Schedule & Application

Application with Interim Report Deadline: Generally in mid-April

Final Report Deadline: July 1, 2013

DOWNLOAD FINAL REPORT

 

Downloads

UAC Color Logo (eps)

UAC Color Logo (jpg)

UAC BW logo (jpg)

NC Arts Council Logo

NC No Overdue Tax Debt Form

 

Questions?

Contact David Allen, Grants Manager