Operational Grants - Funding Guidelines

General Statement

Baltimore County, recognizing the important role which the arts and sciences play in the everyday lives of its citizens, encourages development of activities and promotes public participation through a program of grants to cultural institutions and community organizations.

Objectives of the County's grant program include responding to the needs and encouraging the creativity of area cultural organizations.  It is the purpose of the grant program to provide the citizens of Baltimore County with a variety of cultural offerings of high quality, ranging from the traditional to the innovative, that reflect the diversity of our County's cultural heritage.

The Baltimore County Commission on Arts and Sciences operational grants program is financed by funds recommended by the County Executive and appropriated by the County Council.  Grants are awarded to non-profit organizations serving the greater Baltimore area which seek supplementary financial support for cultural projects with direct citizen impact.

Eligibility

1. Any non-profit, legally incorporated organization, institution or agency with IRS tax exempt status based in Maryland is eligible to submit a proposal for funding.
2. The applicant organization must, in most cases, have a Board of Directors and should have a support group drawn from the community.  In general, the organization should have been in existence for at least one year, preferably longer.
3. The Baltimore County Commission on Arts and Sciences does not discriminate on the basis of political opinions, race, color, sex, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, age, marital status and/or disabilities in admission or access to, treatment or employment in its program and activities.

Criteria

1. The Baltimore County Commission on Arts and Sciences considers the following criteria as it evaluates each specific grant proposal:
   1. Artistic quality or scientific worth of the project or organization.
   2. Management effectiveness and stability of the applicant.
   3. Extent of outreach to involve new audiences and special constituencies.
   4. Degree of impact upon cultural needs within the community.
   5. Fiscal responsibility of applicant.
2. Priority consideration will be given to grant proposals which:
   1. Increase the number and variety of artistic and scientific opportunities in Baltimore County.
   2. Involve cooperation among existing artistic, scientific and community organizations.
   3. Involve artists whose work is of high quality.
   4. Include evidence of a strong emphasis on fund-raising from non-governmental sources.

General Guidelines

1. Applicants are encouraged to provide some performances and/or programs supported by County funds free to the public and to designate these offerings in the application.
2. No grant funds may be used for any costs which were incurred or for which commitment was made before the effective date of the grant.
3. Grants may not be used for deficit funding.
4. It is the Commission's policy not to be the sole source of funding for any applicant.
5. County grants may not be used for non-related fund-raising events.

Application Procedures

1. All Operational Grant Applications (PDF) must be typed, including application for Financial Assistance form.
2. Twenty-two (22) copies of the application must be submitted (one original signature and 20 copies).
3. Four (4) copies of the application for Financial Assistance form (PDF)must be submitted (all original signatures).
4. Appropriate financial statements of the organization must be included.
5. Baltimore County's fiscal year begins on July 1 and ends on June 30.  Applications for the fiscal year beginning July 1 must be in the Commission's office by the first Friday in September of the preceding year.
6. All applications must be signed by the proper authority of the organization.
7. In any event sponsored with County grants, the following credit must appear in all publicity and on printed programs (or announced verbally at the event if no programs are distributed):
   "This program, performance or event (as appropriate) is made possible in part through sponsorship of the Baltimore County Executive, County Council, and the Commission on Arts and Sciences."
8. Applicants receiving funding must submit a final report at the end of the fiscal year.

When Submitting The Application Include:

1. Twenty two (22) copies of your grant application (an original signature plus 20 copies).
2. One (1) copy of IRS letter of tax exempt status, unless already on file with the Baltimore County Commission on Arts and Sciences.
3. Four (4) copies of the application for Financial Assistance form. (All original signatures.)
4. One (1) copy of list of Board of Directors with addresses.
5. Two (2) copies each of brochures, programs and related publicity as applicable.
6. One (1) copy of an independently audited financial statement of last completed fiscal year for organizations requesting $10,000 or more from this Commission.

Return Application To:

Baltimore County Commission on Arts and Sciences
1801 Glen Keith Boulevard., Suite 103
Baltimore, MD 21234

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Revised June 25, 2008