GRANTS....Minigrant Links: *Program Guidelines *SubGrantee Application2010 *Mini Grants Press Release

What is the MCACA Mini-grant Program?

The Mini-grant program is a grants-giving partnership funded by the State of Michigan through the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) and administered by agencies in each region of the state.  Art Reach of Mid Michigan serves at the Region 18 Re-granting agency.  Region 18 includes Isabella, Clare, Gratiot and Gladwin Counties.
Mini-grants provide up to $4,000 for locally developed, high quality arts and cultural projects, which are special opportunities to address local arts and cultural needs and increase public access to arts and culture.  Mini-grants support a broad range of artistic expression from all cultures through projects which preserve, produce, or present traditional or contemporary arts and culture.

How Much Money Can You Ask For?

You may request up to $4,000, on a one-to-one (dollar-for-dollar) matching basis. “Matching funds” are cash or donations of goods and services which your organization is providing for the project.  You are encouraged to include cash in your matching funds. The program is competitive and awards are typically less than $4,000.  Requests for Minigrant funds may not exceed one-half of your project’s cost.
For example, if your organization requests a Minigrant of $1,500, you must match it with at least $1,500 of cash and/or in-kind (donated goods and services).  Your total project cost will be at least $3,000.

What is the deadline for application?

Applications must be submitted to Art Reach of Mid Michigan by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 24, 2010.  Funding period is from April 1, 2010 through September 30, 2010.

When will awards be announced?

Awards will be announced by March 19, 2010.

Where can you get an application and copy of the Mini-grant Guidelines?

A link is provided for this information on this web page.  If you prefer a hard copy, phone Art Reach at 989.773.3689.

Where can you get help with filling out your application?

Art Reach of Mid Michigan will host a grant writing workshop on Tuesday, January 19 from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Art Reach Center (319 S. University, Mt. Pleasant).  This workshop is free of charge.  RSVP at 989.773.3689 to reserve your space.

Who Can Apply?

Registered non-profit organizations, located in the state of Michigan, including (but not limited to) service organizations, arts organizations, parks and recreational organizations, churches, professional associations, public and non-public schools, cities, townships, counties and villages, may apply.
Help in preparing your application is available by calling Art Reach of Mid Michigan at 989.773.3689. Your region is where the applicant organization’s address is registered for nonprofit status.
Individuals, State of Michigan agencies, departments or commissions; and organizations with unmet obligations on a Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs grant may not apply for a Mini-grant.
Universities or Colleges
Mini-grants may not be used for activities within the instructional or service responsibilities of colleges or universities, or that primarily serve their faculty or students.
Applications from universities and colleges must do all of the following:
1. demonstrate significant and direct community benefit,
2. document community support and shared project use, and
3. Include current letters of support from the community

What can  Mini-grant Dollars  be used for?
Minigrant Dollars Can Be Used For Arts and Cultural Activities including, but not limited to:

1. exhibits, readings, performances, workshops, broadcasts
2. artist residencies, consultancies, design activities
3. commissioning of art work, restoration of public works of art
4. festivals, powwows, conferences, seminars
5. video and film production and screening
6. publication of limited edition, original works of an independent, non-profit press
7. art activities for students outside of the general curriculum

Minigrant Dollars Cannot Be Used For:

1. non-arts and cultural activities
2. capital expenses (construction, renovation; purchase of facilities or permanent equipment)
3. activities conducted outside Michigan, or out-of-state travel
4. school teacher salaries, in-service, release time or school administrative costs
5. activities which produce academic credit, receive a grade, or are part of the school curriculum
6. creation of textbooks or classroom materials, curriculum development, scholarly research
7. K-12, college or university faculty, payments to students for school-related activities/projects
8. consultants who are members of the applicant’s staff or board
9. indirect costs (percentage charged against a grant to cover the handling of grant funds)
10. existing deficits, licensing fees, fines, penalties, interest or litigation
11. purchase awards, cash prizes, contributions or donations
12. food or beverages for hospitality, entertainment or reception functions
13. exhibition of art work which is not original, for example, facsimiles of original works
14. historical reenactments (Note: first-person interpretations may be funded with Minigrant dollars)
15. fundraising or allocations to endowment or other restricted funds
16. funds which the applicant would regrant to other organizations
17. operating costs not directly associated with the project or start-up costs for a new organization

How Are Applications Evaluated?

During the review panel meetings, applications are discussed, evaluated and scored according to the guidelines and review criteria, for a total of 100 points.  Reviewers also consider application completeness and clarity.  Review panels are made up of volunteer arts, culture, community, and business professionals with appropriate expertise, who come from different counties and/or parts of the region.  Review panel membership changes on a regular basis.

Reviewers look for projects that demonstrate artistic merit, sound planning and management, community involvement and impact. (see review criteria). Panel funding recommendations are approved by the re-granting agency’s board of directors.

Geographic, minority, underserved status and disciplinary distribution are considered when determining awards.

Other Important Information

• Grant funds may arrive after your project’s starting date. You should be prepared to handle initial expenses.
• If a project produces material which could be copyrighted, the copyright must reside with the author.  However, Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs reserves the right to use copyrighted work for Council purposes without obligation to pay royalties to the owner.
• A portion of your grant could be withheld pending receipt and approval of the final report.
• If the applicant is not an arts or cultural organization and the project makes a profit, the surplus (up to the grant amount) must be returned to MCACA through the Regional Re-granter.
• It is MCACA’s policy that decisions regarding Mini-grants may not be appealed.