BUILDING CULTURAL DIVERSITY INITIATIVE

Ohio's communities are enriched by people representing many different cultures and ethnicities. The Ohio Arts Council (OAC) is committed to ensuring that Ohio citizens have broad access to and opportunities to participate in diverse arts experiences. The OAC believes that public investment in culturally diverse arts organizations and emerging arts professionals ensures that Ohio citizens can experience a rich, diverse, and vibrant cultural life. Encouraging the artistic expression of multiple perspectives can be a catalyst for building community dialogue and understanding.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Monthly July through April

Applications must be received in OLGA no later than 5 p.m. on the second Friday of any given month. Applications will be accepted only through the second Friday of April (for activities occurring May 15-June 30), except in rare circumstances. Please check with your program coordinator. Project activity start dates must be no sooner than four weeks after the date of submission in the OAC's Online Grant Applications (OLGA) system. Beginning June 1 of each year, applications will be accepted for the next fiscal year.

Applicants must contact their OAC program coordinator to discuss their organization's plans and to receive access to the grant application.

• Who May Apply
• How to Apply
• Review Criteria

WHAT THE INITIATIVE SUPPORTS

The Building Cultural Diversity Initiative supports the development and viability of culturally diverse arts organizations whose mission, programs, and staff are representative of the Black/African American, Appalachian, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, or other culturally specific perspectives. The program also supports arts organizations in the training of emerging minority arts administrators. Because the OAC seeks to ensure that Ohio has a strong culturally diverse arts sector, this program was developed to address the wide range of needs faced by diverse arts groups, such as operational expenses, leadership development, organizational planning, program development, and special project costs.

The OAC supports this work by providing current information and resources when appropriate; maintaining a searchable database of screened, preferred consultants; and remaining as flexible as possible with our assistance. OAC staff are available to coach grant applicants through the process to ensure that funding has significant impact.

Building Cultural Diversity grants are competitive. Organizations are strongly encouraged to contact their regional program coordinator before submitting an application and to allow time for careful planning.

Allowable Expenses
Funded activities may include, but are not limited to:

• Long-range or strategic planning sessions;
• Attendance or presentation at a conference, workshop, or seminar;
• Development of fiscal management systems;
• Development of fundraising or marketing plans;
• Creation/expansion of a Web site;
• Equipment purchase (not to exceed $500);
• Facility rental;
• Assistance in becoming a 501(c)(3) organization;
• Artists' fees or assistance in the creation or presentation of artistic work;
• Professionally significant internships (10-16 weeks) for emerging minority arts leaders in all areas of arts administration;
• Seed funding for a new staff position.

Grant Awards
Grants will range between $500 to $5,000; however, most grants will average $2,500. Applicants must show a 50 percent match of the OAC request, half of which may be from allowable, appropriate in-kind donations. Please discuss the source of their intended in-kind donations with their regional program coordinator prior to submitting your application to make sure that you have listed your in-kind correctly.

WHO MAY APPLY

Eligibility Requirements
All applicants should read Legal Requirements and OAC Rules and Grants Process for Organizations before applying to this program. Because funds are limited, applicants may not receive more than one grant in a fiscal year and, in general, no more than two grants in three fiscal years. Funding requests can not duplicate any other funding received from the OAC. All grantees are encouraged to send at least one representative who is knowledgeable about the grant activity to an annual OAC professional development session.

Additional Information
OAC grants are paid after grant activities are completed and after a satisfactory Final Report has been submitted through OLGA. The OAC must receive the Final Report within 30 days of completion of the project or program or the grant may be canceled. Requests for extensions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and may be granted if a written request is submitted before the due date of the Final Report. The Final Report Form is linked to the application and Grant Agreement. Grantees should refer to both documents as they prepare the final report, or payment may be delayed. Grantees may request one partial payment during the course of the grant period.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants must contact their OAC regional program coordinator prior to applying for funding through this category and to receive access to the grant application. Through this conversation, applicants may learn about important resources or determine the most appropriate course of action for their organization. Although applications may be submitted anytime through April, funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis beginning with the start of the OAC fiscal year (July 1). Applications are reviewed on a monthly basis by an internal committee and must be approved by the OAC Executive Director and Deputy Director. Notification is generally made within one month of submission.

Applications
A completed Building Cultural Diversity Initiative application must be submitted via the OAC's online application system (OLGA). No paper applications are accepted. See Grants Process for Organizations. If you need assistance in navigating OLGA, please contact the OAC's Office of Grants Administration and Constituent Services.

Support Materials
To complete an application for this program, all applicants must submit one set of support materials in hard copy to the OAC. Applications that do not include support materials will not be accepted.

Each OAC program has different support material requirements. To learn which materials are required for this program, as well as other materials that are optional but may strengthen your application, refer to the Support Materials Grid for Organizations in the OAC Guidelines.

A signature page and support materials must be received in the OAC office by 5 p.m. seven calendar days following the final application deadline date (regardless of postmarked date). If the signature page and support materials do not reach the OAC within this timeframe, the application will not be accepted. Your organization will be notified via e-mail (sent through OLGA to your organization's primary contact) when your support materials are received.

Evaluation and Scoring
In general, successful applicants will address the following criteria:

• Applicant demonstrates that their organization's activities and mission provide artistic, cultural and/or educational value to the community being served;
• Applicant understands and is responsive to the diverse interests and needs of the community, encourages community interaction and participation, and provides accessibility to their programs;
• Applicant outlines a logical, thoughtful sequence of proposed activities appropriate for the organization's current circumstances and long-term success;
• Applicant demonstrates the ability to complete the proposed project or programming;
• The budget is accurate and realistic for the organization or project and correlates to the applicant's narrative;
• Applicant is able to send a representative to an OAC professional development session.