Operating Support Grant

Arts and Culture Funding Program for Operating Support

 

Guidelines and applications for FY21 Operating Support are now available. The application deadline of Friday, March 20 has passed.

This program provides operating support funding to established 501(c)(3) arts and culture organizations located in the City of Dubuque that primarily serve Dubuque residents with a demonstrated commitment to providing diverse, equitable, and inclusive year-round arts and culture engagement opportunities. Organizations must demonstrate a record of programmatic, financial and administrative stability. Successful operating support grantees must demonstrate how their mission and programs advance the goals and priorities of the City of Dubuque's Arts and Culture Master Plan.


ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
Dubuque-based organizations whose primary mission is arts or culture and who have operated as a nonprofit, tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of IRS code for at least two years before the application date.

INELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
Including but not limited to for-profit organizations or not-for-profit organizations whose primary mission involves religious, political, or athletic programs, educational institutions, and social service organizations. An organization with an outstanding Final Report from a previously funded Special Projects grant application is ineligible.

FUNDING GUIDELINES
The maximum annual funding award is $30,000 or 6% of applicant’s previous year certified operating expenditures, whichever is less. The level at which an organization is funded will depend on the number of eligible applicants and the degree to which an applicant meets selection criteria.

TIMELINE

  • January 31, 2020 - Applications for both the Operating Support and Special Projects grants available
  • February 10, 2020 from 6-7:30 PM - Grant application workshop at Multicultural Family Center
  • February 12, 2020 from 12-1:30 PM - Grant application workshop at Multicultural Family Center
  • Extension: Friday, March 20, 2020 by 11:59 PM - Operating Support applications due
  • August 2020 - Grant notifications and contracts released. Delayed from June 2020 due to budget impacts of COVID-19.
  • September 2020 - Anticipated disbursement of funds. Delayed from July 2020 due to budget impacts of COVID-19.

FY20 (July 1, 2019-June 30, 2020) Operating Support Grantees

The Arts and Culture Operating Support Grant program has nurtured the diversity and accessibility of arts and culture events and services that exist throughout our community since 2006. The program is funding through the general operating budget of the Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs within the Department of Economic Development and must be approved by the City Council on an annual basis.

By offering Operating Support funding, the most difficult funding for a nonprofit organization to secure, for arts and culture organizations in our community, we support the Dubuque City Council's goal to provide 'Diverse Arts, Culture, Parks, and Recreation Experiences and Activities' as well as playing a key role in realizing the City of Dubuque's Imagine Dubuque Comprehensive Plan to foster Social + Cultural Vibrancy.