headerImage1
headerImage2
headerImage3

Cultural Opportunity Grant Guidelines and Application

Introduction

Cultural Opportunity Grants are funded by the Oregon Cultural Trust and administered by the Lane County Cultural Coalition.  The intent of this grant program is to support and protect Oregon culture by:

  • Protecting and stabilizing cultural resources, creating a solid foundation for the future.
  • Expanding public awareness and improving the quality of arts, humanities and heritage.
  • Increasing access to and use of culture in Oregon.
  • Ensuring that Oregon-based cultural resources are strong and dynamic contributors to quality of life in Oregon’s communities.

Cultural Coalition Vision Statement

The Lane County Cultural Coalition envisions a vibrant cultural life for the people of Lane County.

Cultural Coalition Mission Statement

The Lane County Cultural Coalition distributes grant funds in the areas of arts, heritage and the humanities in accordance with The Coalition’s Cultural Opportunity Grant guidelines and the direction of the Oregon Cultural Trust.

Purpose

Cultural Opportunity Grants provide recognition and support to significant cultural programs and projects, preserving and enhancing Lane County’s diverse arts, heritage and humanities efforts.

The Lane County Cultural Coalition has identified three priorities for funding.  Applicants will be expected to address one of the three priorities with their grant application.  These priorities are:

A) ACCESS: Cultural activities in Lane County will be affordable, accessible and inclusive throughout Lane County.

Project strategies may include, but are not limited to:

  • Subsidizing venue cost
  • Subsidizing tickets
  • Subsidizing transportation cost
  • Creating traveling programs
  • Creating and maintaining internet resources

B) AWARENESS: Residents of Lane County will have increased knowledge of cultural activities.

Project strategies may include, but are not limited to

  • Supporting marketing and public relations efforts
  • Supporting advocacy efforts
  • Reaching new audiences
  • Enhancing visibility and promoting cultural activities

C) EDUCATION: Encourage cultural education and activities in Lane County.

Project strategies may include, but are not limited to

  • Creating programs in schools and other community venues
  • Developing participatory workshops and activities
  • Establishing mentorships
  • Supporting subjects that are under-funded in traditional, public educational systems

Limitations

The following are not eligible for Cultural Opportunity Grant funding:

  • Tuition assistance for college, university, or other formal courses of study;
  • Projects that have already been completed;
  • Grants to offset project deficits; and
  • Events whose primary purpose is to raise funds for a non-cultural cause.

To Apply

Applicants should complete:

  • Section 1—Applicant Information
  • Section 2—Project Information
  • Section 3—Project Budget.

Click here to download the Cultural Opportunity Grant application.

Guidelines for Grant Selection

The Coalition will review and score grant proposals according to how well they address the three priorities described above.  Your proposal should state measurable qualitative and quantitative outcomes.  A qualitative outcome speaks in terms of how programs have been positively impacted (e.g. how the program was expanded or improved); a quantitative result speaks in terms of measurements and numbers (e.g. how many constituents served).  Click here to view the scoring criteria used by the Coalition to select grant recipients.

Grant Review Process

Applications submitted to the Lane County Cultural Coalition will be reviewed for eligibility, completeness and budget accuracy.  Ineligible applications will be returned to applicants with an explanation. The Coalition will announce awards and the Coalition’s fiscal agent, the Lane Arts Council, will disburse funds.

Criteria for Grant Selection

  • Did the proposal outline how the project would further the Coalition’s priorities of access, awareness, and education?
  • Does the proposal reflect collaboration or partnerships with other cultural individuals and/or organizations in Lane County?

Benchmark for Grant Projects

The Coalition will evaluate the success of each project at the end of each grant period based on a required report from each grantee.  The reports will help the Coalition determine whether:

  • the recipient met the priorities, strategies and benchmarks laid out in its proposal
  • the project was successful

Benchmarks for Coalition Self-Evaluation

  • How many of the recipients met their benchmarks?
  • Did the projects further the Coalition’s priorities of access, awareness and education?
  • Did the Coalition distribute funds to each of the three disciplines of arts, humanities and heritage?
  • Was the Coalition successful in distributing funds to rural and urban Lane County?

Deadline: April 16, 2012 by 5:00 p.m.

Completed applications should be mailed or delivered to:

Lane County Cultural Coalition
Cultural Opportunity Grant
1590 Willamette St., Ste 200
Eugene, Oregon 97401

Final reports: Individuals and organizations receiving Cultural Opportunity Grants must complete a Report on Use of Cultural Opportunity Grant Funds form provided by the Cultural Coalition. Reports must be submitted within sixty (60) days of completion of the grant period. All grantees are subject to audit by the Oregon Cultural Trust.