General

• Grant award decisions are competitive, and awards are based on an organization’s documentation of progress and success against the stated criteria.
• Submission of an application for funding does not guarantee that funding will be awarded. Likewise, award of funding one year does not guarantee funding the following year.
• Requests for FY21 funding may not exceed 5% of an organization’s current fiscal year budgeted expenses.
• Grant awards may not be used for regranting funds to other organizations. 

Group Designations

Group 1:  Current fiscal year budget less than $100,000

• Note:  If your 3-Year budget average is higher than $100,000 but your current fiscal year budget is less than $100,000, you must select Group 1.

Group 2:  3-Year Budget average* of $100,000-$399,999

Group 3:  3-Year Budget average* of $400,000-$1,499,999

Group 4:  3-Year Budget average* of $1,500,000+

• 3-year expense average as reported on Form 990 will determine funding category for Groups 2-4.   
• You will enter your 3-year 990 revenue and expense averages on the financial template required for the application.

Review Process

• Review panel comprised of ArtsMemphis board members and community volunteers.
• An organization’s review may include a site visit, event or performance attendance, interview or meeting with staff and/or review panel members. 
  • Not all applicants will be visited or have an interview or meeting. Therefore, all critical information must be included in the grant application.
• All grant applications must be submitted using the online grant application platform.
• In fairness to others, no deadline extensions are granted and we will not accept incomplete applications. An application may be deemed incomplete and ineligible if information is not provided in the appropriate format by the deadline.
• You are encouraged to contact Tracy Lauritzen Wright or Colleen McCartney at ArtsMemphis in advance of the deadline with any questions, to seek guidance in using the online application or in compiling your application:
  • [email protected]
  • [email protected]
  • 901-578-2787
  • A list of Frequent Asked Questions will be available and updated regularly.

Criteria for Evaluation

Through this and other grant programs, ArtsMemphis expects:

• People in neighborhoods across Shelby County will have broad and consistent access to arts experiences, including communities that have been underserved by ArtsMemphis and the arts sector.
  • Arts experiences will represent and engage the People in our communities, and through these experiences community members will gain a better understanding of one another.
  • Arts experiences will create a deeper feeling of connection to Memphis and among the People who call this Place home.
• Memphis to grow as a Place that attracts and retains talented People and sustainable arts organizations; attracting diverse artists with sustained opportunities to create and perform and ensuring the arts are an integral part of the quality of life.

Grant review panel members will consider these impacts and the criteria below to assess each application.

1. Mission, Capacity and Impact (60%)
   • Mission (5 points)
     • Does the organization demonstrate progress against their stated mission and goals?
     • Do the organization’s goals align with ArtsMemphis’ mission and vision?
   • Capacity (5 points)
     • Is there stability within the organization and its leadership? Does the organization have the administrative capacity to carry out its goals today and plan for tomorrow?
     • Does the organization have the artistic capacity to carry out its goals?
   • Impact (20 points)
     • Does the organization demonstrate advancement in program excellence in all creative endeavors?  Does the organization deliver innovative programs and cultural experiences?
     • Does a program(s) or initiative noted in the application address underserved populations?
     • Does the organization have existing relationships/partnerships to advance inclusion in their programming, and/or to leverage assets and capacities with other organizations to expand impact, access and sustainability?
     • Does the organization present art works that are inclusive of all members of the community or use art to tell stories that are inclusive of all members of the community?
     • Was a program(s) or initiative noted in the application developed due to and/or utilizing research or evaluation data?
     • Does the organization have key metrics and an evaluation plan to track success against stated goals?
2. Governance and Fiscal Accountability (40%)
   • Governance (5 points)
     • Does the Board financially support the organization and is it actively involved in the organization? 
     • Does the Board structure align with the needs of the organization?
   • Fiscal Accountability (15 points)
     • What is the general financial health of the organization?
     • Does the organization have diverse revenue streams?
     • Does the organization have a defined strategy for growth and/or sustainability?
     • If the organization is operating at a deficit, does it have a reasonable plan for reversing this trend? 
     • Does the organization have reserve funds available in the event of a deficit? Are there controls in place to maintain a reserve?
     • Is there an effort to improve the efficiency of operations and control expenses? 

The FY21 Operating Support Grant Application will open January 17, 2020. 

For use in building your application please download the following question lists:

• Organization Profile (LOI) Question List
• Application Question List

Required Attachment Templates:

• A Financial Report using the template provided is required for all applicants with budgets greater than $100,000.
• A list of your current staff and board members using the template provided is required.
• A list of your top 25 donors last fiscal year is required using the template provided is required.

Application Requirements

All Organizations:

• Organizational Profile  
  • Note: this step in the application process is referred to as the LOI in the online grant application platform.
• Narrative Application
  • Note:  This part of the application is available after the Organizational Profile / LOI is submitted and approved by ArtsMemphis staff.
• Financial Report
  • Submit your financial data using ArtsMemphis’ Financial Template
    • Group 1 organizations may elect to use the template or use a format of your choice.  If you use a format of your choice you must include the following information:
      • Last FY budget
      • Last FY actuals
      • Current FY budget (Current FY indicates your FY as of March 16, 2020.  Use operating revenue and expense numbers only.) 
      • Explanation of any actual or budgeted deficit.
• Staff and Board list using ArtsMemphis’ template. 
  • Please delete the EXAMPLE entries on the template before submitting your report.
  • If your organization is volunteer-run, please note the names of your volunteers/board members and the role they serve.  Please indicate if the positions are paid or unpaid.
  • If a board member is retired, you may note their affiliation as retired, volunteer, philanthropist, or another preferred description.
  • If a board or staff member is new, you may note their tenure in weeks or months, whichever is appropriate.
• List of top 25 donors for your most recently completed fiscal year, using ArtsMemphis’ template, noting name, amounts and if the gift was for a specific purpose.

Groups 3 & 4, additional requirements:

• Balance sheet for last completed financial reporting period (e.g. last month, last quarter)
• LIVEGIVEmidsouth.org Profile

You may submit questions about this grant in writing to Colleen McCartney at [email protected].   

Please click here to view the FAQ document.

Questions received by March 9, 2020 will be answered and included in the FAQ document.