Grassroots Arts Program (GAP) Grants

Overview

Established by the NC General Assembly in 1977, the Grassroots Arts Program provides arts funding to all 100 counties through an extensive network of local arts agencies and partner organizations. The NC Arts Council collaborates with one arts organization per county (the Grassroots County Partner) to receive and manage these funds, distributed on a modified per capita basis.

Eligibility

• Invitational program—only designated Grassroots County Partners may apply
• Must be a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization in good standing with North Carolina
• Must have produced quality arts programs for at least two years
• Prior-year organizational cash operating expenses of at least $20,000
• Tribal organizations must represent North Carolina or federally recognized tribes
• North Carolina municipalities, schools, and universities are also eligible (with restrictions for colleges/universities to community-based or area-wide programs only)

Scope of Use

• Up to 50% of grant funds may be used for general operating support (not available to county governments or school systems serving as temporary partners)
• Remaining 50% must be used for arts programming and/or subgranting
• Counties with populations over 50,000: at least 50% of grant funding must be subgranted to other organizations
• Counties with populations under 50,000: 50% of grant funding must be used for self-conducted arts programs or subgrants

Key Requirements

• Matching requirement of one-to-one cash match
• Must follow standardized subgranting processes
• Must submit annual spending plan for review and approval before funding is considered
• Funded activities must take place between July 1 and June 30 of the following year
• Must have a UEI (Unique Entity Identifier) number
• Must have a conflict of interest policy for board of directors and management employees

Funding Restrictions

Grant and matching funds may not be used for deficit reduction, capital expenditures, contingency funds, food or beverages for hospitality, fundraising events, art sales or auctions, interest on loans, litigation costs, lobbying, tuition for academic study, or indirect costs.

Deadlines

• Online applications open in early January and must be submitted electronically by early March (unless otherwise noted in guidelines)
• Spending plans are due on the same date as the previous year's Grassroots final report
• Project period: July 1 to June 30 of the following year (unless otherwise noted)
• Award notifications may not be issued until the state budget is approved

Award Information

• Minimum grant awarded: $5,000 (unless otherwise noted in guidelines)
• Specific grant amount ranges are listed in guidelines for each category

Contact

• Western Regional Director: Janelle Wienke, 919-814-6506, [email protected]
• Eastern Regional Director: Sam Gerweck, 919-814-6523, [email protected]