NCAC-ARPA Grassroots Grant
About ARPA
North Carolina legislature has designated $10 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to be distributed over two years with no match required. One hundred counties in North Carolina receive ARPA funds on a straight per capita basis. The program distributes funding to local arts organizations through a competitive grant process
Strategy of ARPA
Development of new partnerships, programming, and outreach intended to reach new audiences and can include small-scale placemaking projects. Central to ARPA Grassroots is building partnerships and collaborations between BIPOC and non-BIPOC organizations or BIPOC artists who are self-employed and make more than 50% of their income from their discipline.
Priorities for Funding
ArtsGreensboro’s priority area of support for the ARPA Grassroots Grant is to support creative investment, inclusion and community impact through organizational programming and projects. The grant supports qualified arts organizations who demonstrate thoughtful goal setting and financial planning and who do not already receive or eligible to receive support from N.C. Arts Council.
- Organizations collaborating with organizations to strengthen artistic programming and awareness.
- Organizations piloting new programs that will be mutually beneficial to the sustainability of both organizations involved.
- Encourage outreach, attendance, and participation within our community and to bring people outside the community to Guilford County.
- Create sustainable, multi-disciplinary programs that will educate and engage the public.
- Create jobs for community artists to help strengthen their position and grow our creative community.
For questions, contact the Grants Coordinator.
For More Information
For more information about the NCAC-ARPA Grassroots Multicultural Grant application and process, ArtsGreensboro is hosting two virtual information sessions. The sessions will be held Thursday, January 12 at 1:30 PM and Wednesday, January 18 at 5:30 PM. Registration is required. For further assistance, contact the grants coordinator, Deb Ruffino, at grants@artsgreensboro.org.
How to Apply
Eligibility Requirements
- Nonprofit501(c)(3) status (primary programming 75% arts-based)
- Arts organizations in operation for at least one year (start date prior to July 1, 2021)
- Applicants must reside and carry out projects within Guilford County.
- Individuals are not eligible to apply for ARPA funding but may collaborate with a non-profit to create community programming
- Non-profits with 75% of art-based programming may collaborate with organizations that are non-profit in nature.
- Applications and support materials must be completed and received by the due date.
- Year one projects/programs must take place between January 1, 2023, and June 15, 2023.
Grant Funding
Two-Year Program:
- Phase one: planning period April to June 2023. Maximum request $5,000.
- Phase two: execution of project program by June 30, 2024. Maximum request $10,000.
Project-based Expenses for high quality art programming include expenses such as professional artists’ fees and travel, space rental, advertising, makreting and publicity, website and electronic media, scripts, costumes, sets, props, music, and equipment rental. Administrative fees to run the program or project.
Financial Reporting Requirements
Applicants will be responsible for providing complete Financial Reports for Last Fiscal Year, a current Operating Budget for this Fiscal Year, as well as a budget for the proposed use of grant funds. Templates for the required financial reporting can get downloaded below.
Review Criteria
All applications are reviewed by a diverse panel of community members. Scores are weighted on how well the applicant exhibits organizational capacity and how the applicant aligns with ArtsGreensboro’s goal to build an inclusive, strong, and resilient arts ecosystem for Guilford County.
- Financial Stability and Fiscal Responsibility of organization
- Quality of project or programs
- Alignment of project/program with the organizational mission
- Fair and Equitable Access in Programming and Collaborations
- Community Impact – Strengthen awareness of arts in Guilford County
- Ability to clearly define outcomes for programs and resiliency of program
- Ability to plan, implement and report on- programming or specific project
External panelist will review and score using the rating system below. Panelist are given the opportunity to discuss each application, share thoughts and provide written comments. The ranking process utilizes a scale of 1–5. ArtsGreensboro’s Board of Directors reviews all panel scores and recommendations and approves all final awards.
Example: If an applicant’s score is outstanding on all counts, they will receive 35 total points.
The 1–5 point scale is equivalent to the following:
5: Outstanding
4: Very Good
3: Good
2: Fair
1: Poor
What the Grant Will Fund
Project-based expenses for high-quality art programming include expenses such as professional artists’ fees and travel, space rental, advertising, marketing and publicity, website and electronic media, scripts, costumes, sets, props, music, and equipment rental. Administrative fees to run the program or project.
What the Grant Will Not Fund
- Individual applicants
- Art supplies
- Fundraising events or expenses
- Food or beverages
- Prizes, tuition, or scholarships
- School band activities or equipment
- Purchase of Artwork
- Internal programs for schools, colleges, universities, or libraries
- Programs with religious content
- Capital Campaigns
- Debt Service
If you Get Funded...
- Your organization will enter into a contractual agreement with ArtsGreensboro.
- You are responsible for the timely submittal of No Overdue Tax Debts Form
- Your organization will complete a final report with
- Audience numbers by age group
- Audience demographics
- Demonstrate use of N.C. Arts Council logo and ArtsGreensboro logo and credit lines on promotional materials
- Grant payments will be distributed in installments.
- Keep ArtsGreensboro updated on the progress of your program. If something changes and you can’t use all the funds, ArtsGreensboro must know by May 2023.
NOTE: If an organization does not follow guidelines and submit final reports, it will become ineligible to receive future funding.
ARPA Grassroots Program Grant is funded by the North Carolina Arts Council.
Check out our website for additional ARPA funding for 2023-2027
- Small Group Capacity Cohort BIPOC (in progress)
- Organizational Stability Grant – Cohort model program to build board and staff capacity to focus on long-term sustainability and resiliency within the arts ecosystem (coming February 2023)
- Small Business Development Hub for Individual Creatives (coming Fall 2023)
- Title-I Schools Third Grade Integrated Curriculum with Artists in Residence Program (coming Summer 2023)
- “Arts Across Guilford” Awareness Campaign (coming Spring 2023)
- Technical Assistance Grants (coming Spring 2023)
