Grant Information and Guidelines

THE NEEDHAM CULTURAL COUNCIL (NCC) is a town-appointed agency of volunteers whose purpose is to promote and maintain the vitality of cultural resources within the Needham community and to support programs that promote excellence, access, educational opportunities, and diversity in the Arts, Humanities, and Interpretive Sciences. Through distribution of grant money made available by the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC), the NCC funds a diverse cross-section of established community programs and artists of recognized cultural value while encouraging and supporting new programs.

TWO TYPES OF GRANTS ARE FUNDED BY THE MCC:

1. Local Cultural Council Grants, which are awarded to support community cultural projects. NCC is committed to funding a broad variety of art forms, the ongoing work of individual artists, environmental education projects, collaborative proposals that bring together artists and other types of organizations, local cultural groups, programs and artists of recognized cultural value, and projects that serve specific populations, such as youth, elders, low-income, and disabled.
2. Pass Grants, a reimbursement program for students in grades pre-K through 12. The PASS Program funds cultural field trips for children by subsidizing the cost of admission to attend programs in the arts, humanities and interpretive sciences (including performances, educational tours and exhibits). PASS events must take place outside of the school setting and tickets must not cost more than $12. For more information, please visit the LCC PASS Program from the link at the top of this page.

WHO QUALIFIES AS AN APPLICANT?

• Applicants are required to be residents of Massachusetts and to have been engaged in the kind of activity for which funds are requested for at least one year.
• Arts, humanities or interpretive science organizations.
• Individuals including, but no limited to, artists, science educators, historians or other humanists, parents, community members.
• Community organizations including, but not limited to, schools, social service organizations, business and civic groups, neighborhood centers, youth, senior and family associations. Incorporated organizations must be nonprofit; unincorporated associations must have a nonprofit purpose.
• Enrichment projects utilizing outside professionals are allowed.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Cultural Council Grant Application forms and PASS Grant Application forms are accessible from the links at the top of this page. The forms can be filled out online and printed.

Grant application funds must be used for performance, exhibition, enjoyment, pursuit, or study of cultural activities that contribute to the cultural vitality of the community as a whole, and not to the sole or exclusive benefit of any private individual.

Proposals from schools and libraries must not request support for activities that should be or used to be part of the municipal budget (i.e., teacher salaries, classroom supplies, school-sponsored clubs and organizations, library books/videos, etc.).

All applications must be typed or word-processed. When filling out the application, answer questions clearly, simply and as completely as the provided space allows. One additional 8 1/2"x 11" page to complete questions is allowed.

Submit the completed original application form plus nine copies (10 total), one set of supporting materials, and a self-addressed stamped business envelope, which will be used for your funding notification. Individuals must provide documentation of artistic qualification. Supporting materials may include items such as resumes of key personnel, organizational brochures, letters of support and commitment, artist samples (video, slides, writings, portfolio, etc.). If you wish to have these materials returned, include an additional SASE stamped with the appropriate postage. It is recommended that applicants keep copies of all materials submitted.

Additionally, all applicants must adhere to the MCC’s statement on accessibility of cultural programs to underserved populations. (Further information is available at MCC Local Cultural Council Program.)

Completed applications may be mailed or delivered to the Needham Cultural Council, Selectman’s Office, Needham Town Hall, 1471 Highland Avenue, Needham MA 02492.

APPLICATIONS ARE EVALUATED IN TERMS OF SEVERAL REVIEW CRITERIA:

• Artistic or creative merit.
• Benefit to the cultural life of Needham.
• Design and appropriateness of project.
• Qualifications, dedication, financial need and accomplishments of the applicants.
• Accessibility of the program and of facilities being used.
• Community support and involvement.
• Priority will be given to locally-based non-profit arts and cultural organizations, individual artists, first- time funding of programs and to those participating in community events sponsored by the NCC.
• Repeated requests will be carefully scrutinized; such proposals should list other sources of support to show that the project is not dependent solely on Council funding.
• The applicant must already have received agreement to schedule the proposed performance or project at an acceptable local venue to take place within a year of receiving funding approval. This establishes a commitment on the part of the applicant that the program or project will be presented regardless of council funding.

FUNDING

Payments are made on a reimbursement basis only after the project is completed. Applicants are sent a grant reimbursement application form to use for their payment request. Reimbursement requests for completed projects must be submitted to NCC within a year of the final award notification and must include appropriate documentation. With permission of the council, progress or interim payments may be requested for the portion of the project that has been carried out. Requests for extensions beyond the grant period will be considered on a case-by-case basis and must be submitted in writing before the end of the grant period. The council will review and vote on the request and notify applicants in writing of its decision. Adherence to these requirements is necessary for consideration for future funding.

TIME LINE

The NCC reviews and votes on all applications in a public meeting held in November. Applicants may receive a call from a Committee member if clarification or more information is desired before this meeting. Applicants will be notified of the decision within four weeks of the voting meeting. All grant applications and funding recommendations are sent to the MCC by January 15. MCC reviews the applications and makes the funds available to the Town of Needham early in the new calendar year. It is the responsibility of the grant recipient to complete and submit the reimbursement form and supporting materials to the NCC within one year of being notified of the award.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

In all published materials and announcements regarding the activities supported by Cultural Council funds, the sponsoring group or individual must acknowledge this support with a written and/or verbal credit statement or by using the MCC logo. The credit statement is "This program is supported in part by a grant from the Needham Cultural Council a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency." The logo is available online at MCC Credit Logos or from the MCC on a camera-ready slick sheet, or on diskette (Mac or PC). This credit is required by the MCC and failure to comply may jeopardize future funding.

For additional information, contact Abby Cheng