2023 Looser-Flake Foundation Creative Arts Grants (Illinois)

The Looser-Flake Foundation’s 2023 Collaborative Grant Program for Creative Arts Opportunities in Mercer County supports opportunities for Mercer County residents to create or engage with the creative arts by supporting projects that expand arts programming, expand access to arts programming, or build capacity of arts organizations or events.

Donor Name: Looser-Flake Foundation

State: Illinois

County: Mercer County (IL)

Type of Grant: Grant

Deadline: 07/14/2023

Size of the Grant: $35,000

Grant Duration: 1 year

Details:

Funding Information

• The total grant pool available for the collaborative application is up to $100,000 if at least nine entities apply. The minimum amount to be granted to any single participating entity is $1,000; the maximum is $35,000.
• All Projects must be able to be completed within one year.

Eligible Projects

• Projects that expand arts programming: adding a musical or dance performance to an existing community festival; creating a performance series at a community park; adding a “makers market” tent to a farmers market to allow local artists to sell their work; paying an additional teacher to add an art class for youth or adults at a community center
• Projects that expand access to arts programming: arranging a field trip for school children to an art museum or theatre performance; creating a fund that allows for registration cost waivers for students with financial need to take dance lessons.
• Projects that build capacity of arts organizations or events: purchasing audio-visual technology or other equipment for a municipal bandshell; purchasing a kiln for a school arts studio; contracting with a professional events company to improve the operations of a community event; developing a website for an arts organization; purchasing ticketing software.

Eligibility Criteria

• One collaborative application will be accepted that must contain projects submitted by at least five entities in or specifically serving Mercer County
• Eligible entities that may join the collaborative application are: non-profit organizations with 501(c)3 public charity status, public school districts, and/or government entities
• Eligible costs may include operating, program, or capital costs
• All projects must be located in Mercer County or specifically serve Mercer County residents, must be available to the general public, and must be able to be completed within one year
• All participating applicants must be able to accept and manage grant payments. After the collaborative proposal is evaluated, grant payments for each project will be issued separately to each participating entity.

Evaluation Criteria 

• Reach: The number and proportion of Mercer County residents served by the projects, including the varied location of applicants and events across the county.
• Goals: The application demonstrates how projects will expand arts programming, expand access to arts programming, or build capacity of arts organizations or events.
• Project plan: The project plans are clear and achievable, and contain plans for maintenance.
• Leverage: The applicants engage and utilize other resources such as funding sources, volunteers, and community partnerships.
• Collaboration: The application demonstrates collaboration among the applicants and other organizations in Mercer County.

For more information, visit QCCF.