The Capital Development (CAP) grants program provides funding assistance to non-profit cultural organizations for capital improvement projects that are designed to expand, renovate, construct, and/or equip cultural facilities located within Miami-Dade County.
Donor Name: Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs
State: Florida
County: Miami-Dade County (FL)
Type of Grant: Grant | Reimbursement
Deadline: 04/04/2025
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
These capital projects assist the nonprofit cultural community in providing increased public service, greater access, enhanced exhibition or performing space and in developing cultural facilities that can be operated more effectively and efficiently. Programs in facilities for which grants have been provided must be ADA accessible and promoted to the general public.
Projects must have strong evidence of prior planning and imminent completion or “readiness” factor, as well a documented, secured maximum possible public and/or private match. Facilities improvement projects should be designed to improve the artistic capabilities of and/or the audience ability to experience programs in the applicant facilities. Grants are intended to have a major impact on the applicant organization, the patrons served by that organization and the surrounding community. Priority consideration will be given to facilities proposing ADA-compliance improvements.
Funding Information
Applicants may request up to $15,000 and requires a $1 to $1 cash match; the minimum request that can be considered is $5,000. The CAP Grant Program operates on a reimbursement basis.
Grant Period
October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026.
Allowable Expenditures
CAP Grant Program funds must be used exclusively for the project described in the organization’s application. Allowable grant expenditures include:
- Expansion, renovation, rehabilitation, or construction of a cultural facility (direct construction costs related to building, adaptive re-use or renovations, including materials, demolition, excavation, site preparation, construction expenses, etc. and related fixed capital costs)
- Professional costs related to architectural or engineering designs
- Feasibility studies related to CAP objectives, such as those that examine approaches for the development of new cultural facilities or the renovation of existing ones (feasibility studies may be considered on a case-by-case basis)
- Specialized equipment purchases, as well as their installation costs, directly related to the creation, production and/or presentation function of the organization, provided that these are fully integrated (not free-standing) elements of a building or construction project. Examples for creation, production and/or presentation purposes include:
- Equipment and/or construction projects directly related to ADA compliance and related work (e.g., assistive listening devices, ADA signage in venue, elevator or wheelchair lift, accessible bathrooms, etc.) as mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Florida Accessibility Code Chapter 11 of the Florida Building Code.
- NOTE: ADA-related proposals receive priority consideration by the CAP Panel. Funded proposals that include ADA-related improvements and/or equipment will be required to prioritize the ADA-related projects when entering into a grant agreement with Miami Dade County.
- HVAC systems, fire safety upgrades, lighting grids, catwalks, electrical wiring upgrades, plumbing upgrades, theatrical seating, lighting equipment, audio equipment, etc.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet all the following eligibility requirements:
- Be legally incorporated as NOT-FOR-PROFIT, with designated tax-exempt status under section501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code. Proof of incorporation and IRS tax-exempt designation is required at the time of application; or
- Qualify as a political subdivision of Miami-Dade County or one of its municipalities, that owns and operates a cultural facility – provided that the cultural facility provides service and open access to the community and the public on a regular basis (limited to one (1) application per subdivision/municipality); or
- Qualify as a public or private institution of higher education that owns and operates a cultural facility – provided that the cultural facility provides service and open access to the community and the general public beyond their educational mission and on a regular basis (limited to one (1) application per institution);
- not be a religious organization whose proposed project, in whole or in part, is designed to promote religious or sectarian activities or to encourage the preference of a religion;
- Have site control of the proposed facility located in Miami-Dade County either through ownership or having an executed long-term lease with an unexpired, 5-year minimum term (the lease must be in the non-profit’s name). Proof of site control is required at the time of application (there are no exceptions to this rule);
- Have as its primary purpose and function, as defined by the Articles of Incorporation and ByLaws of the organization, programs that are substantially focused on arts and cultural activities;
- Employ at least one full-time paid professional;
- Have its primary office in Miami-Dade County;
- Have a track record or documented plan of offering cultural programs to the general public on a regular basis;
- Use the awarded funds, including match, within the Miami-Dade County fiscal year (October 1 through September 30) in which the grant is awarded; and
- Schedule a mandatory consultation appointment with the CAP program administrator prior to submitting an online application.
For more information, visit MDCDCA.
