Apply Now | Fiscal Sponsorship: Accepting Out of Cycle Applications

Apply Now | Fiscal Sponsorship: Accepting Out of Cycle Applications

Prepare for fall grant deadlines with NYFA Fiscal Sponsorship!

Long breezy summer days are perfect for relaxing by the pool, enjoying hikes, and gulping down ample amounts of cold brew. Summer is also a fruitful time for artists to revise project materials, plan their fundraising efforts, and prepare for fall grant application deadlines. Since some grants require a fiscal sponsor in order to apply, be sure to read the guidelines carefully and build in the required fiscal sponsorship application process into your project timeline. Check out a compilation of upcoming grant deadlines below!

What is Fiscal Sponsorship?

Fiscal sponsorship is a tool for expanding the fundraising capabilities of projects that include a public benefit component. NYFA’s Fiscal Sponsorship program allows individual artists, artist collectives, and emerging organizations to utilize NYFA’s 501c3 tax status to expand the fundraising efforts of their projects. Additionally, Fiscally Sponsored projects and organizations gain access to fundraising and project management consultations by experienced staff, as well as review of letters of inquiry and grant proposals. Our program also assists in grant submissions, reporting requirements, and acknowledging donors, hosts exclusive workshops, and offers connections to a dynamic network of other sponsored projects and organizations.  

Why Apply for an Out of Cycle Review?

NYFA’s Out of Cycle application process allows artists to meet time-sensitive deadlines, as some grants require a fiscal sponsor at the time of submission. There is a $175 administrative fee for an Out of Cycle review, and applicants typically hear back from the panel in two weeks time. Email [email protected] to request an Out of Cycle application. Depending on your grant application timeline, NYFA Fiscal Sponsorship’s no-fee quarterly application deadlines may also meet your project needs!

How does Fiscal Sponsorship Differ from a Grant?

Fiscal sponsorship does not award money to artists. However, NYFA Fiscal Sponsorship does increase the capacity of individual artists, collectives, or new organizations to fundraise in support of their own projects. Be sure to check out the FAQ section of our website for more details about how our program operates.  

Is NYFA Fiscal Sponsorship the Right Choice for my Project?

Fiscal Sponsorship supports artists, collectives, and new organizations as they execute projects that serve the public sphere. Not sure if your idea is a project? To learn more about what makes a public benefit project, check out this Coach’s Corner article, Practice, Project, or Both… and Why This Matters on NYFA Current.

Upcoming Grant Deadlines

  • Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC) 
    • Creative Engagement
      Award: $750 – $8,000
      Deadline: September 12, 2017 at 5:00 PM 
      About: Grants to individual artists and nonprofit organizations for diverse artistic projects happening anywhere in the borough of Manhattan during the 2018 calendar year. Past projects include concerts, performance, public art, exhibitions, screenings, festivals, workshops, readings, etc.
      Eligibility for City funding: Nonprofit organizations, individual artists, and artist collectives are supported through Creative Engagement. Individuals and collectives may utilize a fiscal sponsor of their choice; however, a fiscal sponsor is not required. 
      Details: To access Creative Engagement guidelines and the application, click here. Attendance to Information Sessions is required for first-time applicants for both Creative Engagement and Creative Learning grants. Click and see ‘INFO SESSIONS’ to sign up for a session.
    • Creative Learning
      Award: $750 – $8,000 
      Deadline: September 12, 2017 at 5:00 PM 
      About: Supports individual teaching artists, collectives, and nonprofit organizations in leading innovative community-based arts education projects and programming for youth, adults, and/or seniors. Must be based in Manhattan and happening during 2018.
      Eligibility for City funding: Nonprofit organizations, individual artists, and artist collectives are supported through Creative Learning. Individuals and collectives may utilize a fiscal sponsor of their choice; however, a fiscal sponsor is not required. 
      Details: To access Creative Learning guidelines and the application, click here. Attendance to Information Sessions is required for first-time applicants for both Creative Engagement and Creative Learning grants. Click and see ‘INFO SESSIONS’ to sign up for a session.
  • Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC)
    • Local Arts Support
      Award: $2,000 – $5,000
      Deadline: September 20, 2017
      About: Community-based art projects throughout the borough of Brooklyn are supported through this grant. The fund helps the development of local arts projects and programming by nonprofit organizations as well as individual artists partnering with an organization. 
      Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations and artists working with a nonprofit partner or Brooklyn-based fiscal sponsor. 
      Details: To access guidelines and the application, click here. Attendance at Information Sessions is required for first-time applicants for all Brooklyn Arts Council grants. Attend a grant info session – click here for dates. 
    • Brookyn Arts Fund (BAF)
      Award: $2,000 – $5,000
      Deadline: September 20, 2017  
      About: Supports Brooklyn-based organizations and individual artists creating performances, exhibitions, pop-up galleries, workshops, reading series, festivals, public art, and beyond. The grant program aims to cultivate artists, arts organizations, and audiences throughout the borough in 2018.
      Eligibility: Individual artists, nonprofit organizations with 501c3 status or a fiscal sponsor.
      Details: To access guidelines and the application, click here. Attendance to Information Sessions is required for first-time applicants for all Brooklyn Arts Council grants. Attend a grant info session – click here for dates. 
  • Queens Arts Fund (QAF)
    Art Access Grant 2018
    Award: $1,000 – $5,000
    Deadline: October 26, 2017 at 5:00 PM
    About: Supports Queens-based nonprofit organizations and collectives that enhance the cultural vibrancy in Queens’ communities and neighborhoods. All disciplines including performance, literary, media, and visual arts projects are welcome to apply. Arts and cultural activity projects must take place in Queens, New York in the 2018 calendar year and be accessible to the public. 
    Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations with 501c3 status, or, apply with a fiscal sponsor.  
    Details: To access guidelines and the application, click here. Attendance at Information Sessions is required for first-time applicants for all Queens Arts Fund grants. See session dates and RSVP here

NYFA Fiscal Sponsorship’s next no-fee application deadline is September 30, 2017. For application details and for Fiscal Sponsorship FAQ, please click here.

Image credit: Thinking Practice, photo by Renata Carciofolo, image courtesy of Leeza Ahmady and Asia Contemporary Art Week (ACAW) (Sponsored Project)

Amy Aronoff
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