United Arts Council of Greensboro Multi-Cultural Arts Grants

Project Support Grants

The United Arts Council’s (UAC) Project Support Grant program is funded in part by the North Carolina Arts Council’s Grassroots Program and from foundations, corporations, and individual donors. Project Support is a competitive grant program investing in high quality arts experiences which further one or more of the UAC's strategic priorities.

The Project Support Grant program is a single-year grant program for arts organizations or individual artists working with a fiscal sponsor. Applicants must show how the project will engage and impact the community.

General Information

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:

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

What we fund:
The United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro’s competitive Project Support Grant Program supports high quality arts experiences which further the UAC strategic priorities through arts projects with measurable outcomes. The UAC is interested in projects which serve the greatest number of people possible with the highest quality arts experience.

Who we fund:
While our first priority is to provide funding to nonprofit arts organizations, community organizations that provide high quality art experiences for the greater community may also apply. These programs must be conducted by qualified artists. Organizations currently receiving funds through other UAC grant programs are not eligible to apply.

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.
Programs and projects that demonstrate defined and measureable outcomes.
Programs and projects 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

Applicants must be non-profit organizations. Under certain circumstances, those not meeting this requirement may apply through a fiscal sponsor. Please contact the UAC Grants Manager to discuss your project and the possibility of applying through a fiscal sponsor if you are not a non-profit organization.
Organizations must be based out of and deliver product in the Greater Greensboro market.
Applicants must have existed for at least one year.
Applicants must demonstrate sound management and governance practices, and fiscal responsibility.
UAC will consider only one request from each applicant per grant year.
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.
The Project Support Grants Program 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 Project Support

Funds single-year programs for nonprofit organizations.
Project must support one or more of the UAC’s three strategic priorities.
Applicants must demonstrate how the project will engage and impact the community.
Applicants must demonstrate the ability to effectively track numeric data on audiences/participants including: ethnicity, seniors, veterans, women, disabled individuals, and low-to-moderate incomes of those served.
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 Project Support Grant.
Total funds granted will not exceed 50% of PROJECT budget.
Project Support Grants generally range between $2,000 and $18,000, depending on size of grant pool, merit of projects, and available funding. Applicants must contact the UAC Grants Manager to discuss the amount of the potential grant request.

Application Process

Orientation Session: All potential applicants must attend an orientation session to familiarize themselves with the eligibility requirements, purpose, priorities, and process for UAC granting programs. Those who received funding in the previous year do not need to attend these sessions.
Consultations: UAC staff is available to answer any questions concerning your application. All applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with the UAC Grants Manager about eligibility, priorities, guidelines, funding policies, process, etc.
Application:
- Printed application form, narrative and required attachments must be submitted by application deadline.
- Applications must be submitted via one of these methods listed below. Fax, electronic and late applications will not be accepted.
  - 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: Generally in early April

Application Review
- Applications are screened for completeness and eligibility. Only documents and materials requested will be reviewed by the panel (cover letters, etc, will not be reviewed).
- Applications are reviewed with funding determinations based upon:
  - Demonstrated ability to deliver a high quality artistic product and reach a broad audience
  - Support of one or more of the UAC’s three strategic priorities
  - Demonstrated ability to plan for and carry out the proposed project
  - Demonstrate how your organization exercises effective fiscal control and accountability
  - Numeric outcomes that are clearly defined and measureable
- Follow-up phone appointments, application clarification, meetings and site visits are common during the review process.
Notification
- Award recipients will receive written notification of funding and grant agreement documents.
- Proposals may be awarded in full or in part, with contingencies, or declined. Applicants should be prepared to modify their project should the full funding request not be granted. If an applicant does not receive full funding, a revised project based on the funded amount must be submitted.
- Signed contract is required prior to UAC issuing payments.
- Notification date: July – August
- Payment schedule will be included with grant agreement documents; grant payments are subject to the availability of funding.
Final Report
- Final report form is available at www.uacARTS.org under the Grant tab/Project Support Grants.
- Final reports are due within 30 days of project completion date or June 30, whichever comes first.

UAC reserves the right to make the final decision on an organization’s eligibility and/or funding.

United Arts Council of Greensboro

Project Support Grants

Frequently Asked Questions

Schedule & Application

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