The Philadelphia Cultural Fund (PCF) is seeking applications for its Art & Culture Grants Program to provide funds to enhance the cultural life and vitality of the City of Philadelphia and its residents.
Donor Name: The Philadelphia Cultural Fund
State: Pennsylvania
City: Philadelphia
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 12/09/2022
Details:
PCF is managed by a professional philanthropy staff, with governance provided by a board composed of arts leaders, community members and representatives named by the Mayor and City Council President.
This operational structure enhances the integrity of the grant-making process and ensures continuity across mayoral administrations in terms of PCF-grantee relationships and funding practices. Grants are made from a City budget allocation to PCF and provide operating support for Philadelphia-based arts and culture organizations dedicated to creating, preserving and/or exhibiting visual, literary and performing arts, architecture, science, history and the humanities.
Among the overall goals of the Philadelphia Cultural Fund are:
- provide general operating support to Philadelphia-based arts and cultural organizations
- to advocate for the value of the arts in daily life and their importance to the growth and future of the community
- to promote arts and culture as engines of social, educational and economic development in Philadelphia
- to recognize the contributions of Philadelphia-based organizations, both emerging and established, that have a demonstrated track record of service, and the financial management and programming capacity to continue providing service
- to recognize and nurture artistic quality
- to encourage and increase opportunities for involvement and participation in arts and cultural activities by culturally diverse constituencies
Applications will be assessed utilizing the following criteria:
Program Merit & Strength
There is a clearly articulated mission that strongly links to the programming.
- Community Impact
- The community/communities the organization intends to serve is clearly defined. The operations and programs align to serve their self-defined community.
- Operations & Managerial Capacity
- Effective and stable operations.
- Ability to Plan & Evaluate
- Intentional and reflective approach to its operations and programming.
- Leadership & Governance
- The organization is led and strengthened by its Board of Directors or, if fiscally sponsored, operates as the program of a parent organization, its oversight group/council/board.
- Integrity & Fiscal Responsibility
- Robust financial systems and practices are in place.
Eligibility Criteria
Applications will be assessed utilizing the following criteria:
An applicant organization must:
- Have an Average Budget below $1.5M as shown on the organization’s current (meaning up to date) SMU|DataArts Philadelphia Cultural Fund (PCF) Funder Report.
- Have a mission that is dedicated to art and culture. Art and culture is defined as creating, preserving and/or exhibiting visual, literary and performing arts, architecture, science, history and the humanities. Non-art and culture organizations that operate an art and
culture program are not eligible. - Have its official place of business in the City of Philadelphia as demonstrated by the address on latest 990 filing, SMU|DataArts PCF Funder Report, website, letterhead, and printed public materials. The address of a staff member, board member, volunteer, or that of a fiscal sponsor/parent organization, unless the official address of the organization, will not be accepted.
- Be incorporated as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit in good standing OR has contracted with a fiscal sponsor/parent organization that has been pre-approved by the Philadelphia Cultural Fund. Unincorporated organizations, such as LLCs, regardless of size, may apply using a fiscal sponsor/parent organization if they can demonstrate that their organization has a mission dedicated to art and culture and meets all other criteria.
- Present at least 60% of its programming in the City of Philadelphia, thus demonstrating a commitment to provide art and culture to the residents of the City of Philadelphia. Note: While the pandemic has had a profound impact on how programming has been and can be
presented, the primary audience/community served, by whatever means, must be the residents of the City of Philadelphia. - Have at least 60% of its current operating budget devoted to art and culture.
- Have programs accessible to the public (provided for a charge or free). Example of ineligible programming: a private library collection of valuable documents not open to the public for study or research.
- Have conducted public programming (in person or virtually) for at least one year.
- Have a Governing body. If a 501 (c) (3) organization, has a board of directors; if contracted with a pre-approved fiscal sponsor/parent organization, has an advisory group, such as an advisory council, board or committee that oversees the operations of the organization.
- Have non-discriminatory employment and personnel practices.
- Have three or more people that share organizational responsibilities (paid or unpaid).
- Have at least one person responsible for ensuring programmatic and fiscal accountability.
- Have the capacity to carry out its intended programming goals through the support of staff, board, advisors and/or volunteers (paid or unpaid).
- Have a plan or planning process that demonstrates how the organization will achieve its stated mission and vision.
- Be in compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations including, without limitation, those of the IRS and the Commonwealth of PA.
- Have appropriately filed financial statements that are completed within one year of filing
the 990 tax return, if required (including 990-EZ). The PA Department of State’s Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations requires organizations with gross annual contributions of $750,000 or more to file audited financial statements.
For more information, visit Art & Culture Grant Program.
