The following guidelines apply to individuals, organizations and community groups applying for PROJECT GRANTS that benefit the community.
If you’re looking for the INDIVIDUAL ARTIST grant, click here.
If you’re a teacher, principal or parent and looking for the SCHOOL GRANT application, click here.
Who qualifies for PROJECT GRANT funding?
Individuals, organizations and community groups can apply for a project grant. According to requirements determined by the Massachusetts Cultural Council:
- Funds are to be used for arts, humanities and interpretive sciences.
- There must be a public benefit (performance, exhibition, etc.)
- Applicants may not be discriminated against on the basis of race, sex, religion, creed, color, national origin, disability or age.
- Funds must not be used to substitute or replace current or previously funded public programs of a municipality, such as schools or libraries.
What are funding priorities?
The CCNB local funding priorities for this year include:
- Projects and artists that originate in one of the 11 municipalities represented.
- Projects that are innovative, collaborative, and demonstrate creative excellence.
- Projects that contribute to the cultural vitality of the community as a whole, rather than benefiting any private individual or group.
- Projects that address a community need or reach an underserved population.
Are there any requirements?
- Projects received from outside of the northern Berkshires MUST have a local venue/connection in at least one of the eleven CCNB member towns.A letter from the local venue confirming where the project will take place must accompany the application. If there is no local venue, the application will be denied.
- Funds are not to be used as the sole means of support.CCNB does not fund the exact same project for more than three consecutive years.
- Funds may not be used to purchase food.
- Funds used for capital expenditures (i.e., items that have a life expectancy of more than three years AND a monetary value of more than $500) must demonstrate public benefit and a dollar match of 2:1. YOU MUST TALK TO A COUNCIL MEMBER BEFORE APPLYING FOR CAPITAL FUNDS.
- Funds for scholarships are available to applicant organizations, not individuals, and must demonstrate community benefit.
How much can I ask for?
Due to the limited amount of funds available, grants over $2,000 are rarely funded.
- The majority of grants funded were for less than $1,000.
- Smaller requests are more likely to be funded.
What types of projects have been funded in the past?
A wide variety of projects have been funded over the years. Reading series; art exhibitions; outdoor music series; theater and music performances, interpretive nature hikes; educational materials for science programs; literary programs; and student art festivals are just a few of the previously funded projects. A partial list of projects is listed on the back.
What are the deadlines?
Grant applications must be postmarked by October 15 of the year prior to the granting year. For example, grants for projects taking place in the year 2012 require that their applications must be submitted by October 15th, 2011. Funding is awarded for projects planned to take place between January 1-December 31, of the granting year. Funds are available after January 1 of the granting year, and are awarded on a reimbursement basis. However, valid invoices from vendors or performers may be submitted in advance of payment in order to receive funds in time to pay for services.
It is strongly suggested that applicants attend one of two public grant writing workshops: Wednesday, 6-7:30 pm, September 28, at the Williamstown Public Library, and Thursday, 6-7:30 pm, October 6, at the North Adams Public Library. Workshops are free and open to the public.
Where can I get an application?
Applications are available online by clicking here, or from your local library, town hall, or CCNB representative.
You can also click here for the guidelines as a PDF.
To open a PDF you must have Acrobat Reader which can be downloaded for free here.
Please send TWO TYPED applications to:
Cultural Council of Northern Berkshire
P.O. Box 227
North Adams MA 01247
