ArtsMemphis’ Operating Support Grant Program (Tennessee)

ArtsMemphis is seeking applications for its Operating Support Grant Program.

Donor Name: ArtsMemphis

State: Tennessee

County: Shelby County (TN)

Type of Grant: Grant

Deadline: 02/14/2022

Size of the Grant: $5000

Details:

ArtsMemphis recognizes that unrestricted support is necessary to shape a dynamic and sustainable arts community. This unrestricted funding to organizations whose mission is to provide year-round arts programs and experiences is intended to advance ArtsMemphis’ mission of sustaining Memphis’ world-renowned cultural vitality and strengthening local communities through the arts. These investments should supplement other revenue, both earned and contributed, generated by the organization.

Grant Request

• Their goal is for the minimum grant award to be no less than $5000.
• Typically, grant awards will not exceed the following:
  • Groups 1 & 2: 10% of FY22 budgeted expenses
  • Groups 3 & 4: 5% of your FY22 budgeted expenses

Eligibility Criteria

Organizations must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible to apply for funding consideration:

• Applied for at least one grant through ArtsMemphis since July 2019. This is to ensure your organization is familiar with the application process and ready to submit a competitive application.
  • Includes the following grant programs:
    • Arts Build Communities
    • ArtsFirst
    • ArtsZone
    • Operating Support
• Organizations that have applied for at least one ArtsMemphis grant since July 2019 but have not received an operating support grant previously, must contact ArtsMemphis staff by February 14 to discuss eligibility and application readiness. This is to ensure efficient use of your time before starting an application.
• Have a current 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt status, with a primary place of business in Shelby County.
  • 501c3 organizations that are not registered in Shelby County must demonstrate a permanent location in Shelby County and a history of minimally three years of providing programming in Shelby County.
• The organization’s primary focus is arts-based.
  • The organization creates, exhibits, and/or performs works in any of the following fines, performing, applied, or literary art forms as a primary public function.
    • Dance
    • Literary Arts
    • Media Arts
    • Music
    • Performing Arts
    • Theater
    • Visual Art
    • Other
  • The arts should be referenced in the organization’s mission and/or vision statement, strategic planning documents, and/or other foundational materials.
• Offer programs that are accessible to all Shelby County citizens regardless of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, or any characteristic protected by law.
• Have a history of offering programs for no less than three years and offer programs consistently throughout the calendar year, minimally 9 out of 12 months per year.
  • If your organization has a history of fewer than three years, or if you offer programs less than 9 months per year, you may not apply.
• Have a three-year expense average of no less than $20,000.
• Have an active and financially (including in-kind) supportive Board of Directors.

For more information, visit Operating Support Grant.