Project Specific Grants will be made to support specific projects that respond to the goals of the Cultural Plan. Project Specific Grants can be used to pay artists’ fees, acquire project-specific supplies and materials, or acquire equipment required to complete the project; venue, and technical costs are additional examples of allowable expenses. Guidelines and Application for Project Specific Grants can be accessed here: https://www.fresnoartscouncil.org/artsandculturegrants

Organizations that do not have their principal place of business in the City of Fresno.

Organizations whose primary mission is to raise funds.

Organizations whose primary function is regranting.

K - 12 Schools

County Offices of Education

Public and Private Colleges and Universities

Government agencies that receive 25% or more of their budget from the City of Fresno.

Organizations that do not serve the public and/ or provide public programing.

Individuals who are not working with an eligible incorporated 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor; grant applicants with a fiscal sponsor are eligible for a Project Specific Grant but are ineligible for an Operating Support Grant

Nonprofit organizations that support and expand access to arts and cultural programming.

501(c)(3) Organizations or Project

Specific Grant applicants with an eligible Fiscal Sponsor Applicants using fiscal sponsors.

An Applicant that is without its own organizational nonprofit status must use a Fresno based fiscal sponsor organization with a federal 501(c)(3) designation that support and has expand access to arts and cultural programming, to apply for funding that support and expand access to arts and cultural programming.

Types of applicant organizations eligible to apply using a fiscal sponsor include, but are not limited to individual artists and culture bearers, artist collectives and cultural collectives, and other unincorporated art and culture guilds or associations.

Applicants using a fiscal sponsor must be a City of Fresno resident

An Applicant’s Fiscal sponsors must demonstrate at least two (2) years of arts and culture programming and service as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization; for Emerging Arts and Culture Project Specific Grant Applicants, the fiscally sponsored applicant or newly formed 501(c)(3) organization is not required to have its own two year history of art and culture operational and financial experience at the time of application submission.

City of Fresno-based: documentation of being a Fresno- based nonprofit organization that supports and expands access to arts and cultural programing, or nonprofit social service organization with regular ongoing arts programming and/or services and a principal place of business in the City of Fresno Certificate of good standing:

Nonprofit organizations and fiscal sponsors (if applicable) must have “active status” with the California Secretary of State (SOS) showing evidence of “good standing“ at the time of application.

Organizations must also be in good standing with the Office of the Attorney General of California or provide an adequate letter of explanation regarding registration status

The organization must operate and offer its programs in a nondiscriminatory manner and in compliance with all applicable laws, including, without limitation, laws protecting persons with disabilities.

Letter of agreement: If using a Nonprofit Fiscal Sponsor, the Fiscal Sponsor must provide a letter of agreement acknowledging the fiscal sponsorship with the project applicant and submit the letter with the application. If the grant is awarded the fiscal sponsor becomes the legal contract holder with the Fresno Arts Council. Once a contract is awarded the fiscal sponsor cannot be changed.

Narrative statement:

Nonprofit organizations and fiscal sponsors (if applicable) will be required to provide a narrative statement, addressing the following areas: (1) purpose of the organization; (2) identification of targeted audience; and (3) how many people will be served as a result of the grant award.

All Project Specific Grants must align with the goals and outcomes of the Cultural Arts Plan adopted by the Fresno City Council.

A permanent installation of public art and public performances supported with Measure P funds must be in the City of Fresno.

New works or installations created with Measure P funds must remain the sole property of a City of Fresno organization.

Project Specific Grants may go out multiple times a year and specify specific outcomes consistent with goals set in the Cultural Arts Plan.

Grants shall prioritize organizations and programs that support and expand diverse public or youth engagement and equity.

An independent 501(c)(3) Arts and Cultural organization is exempt from the two-year programing requirement, and two-year fiscal history, for Project Specific Grants only.

If applying with a Fiscal Sponsor, unless the applicant is being considered for an Emerging Arts and Culture Project Specific Grant, the Fiscal Sponsor must have two years of activity of supporting and expanding access to arts and culture programing , and two years of financial history at the time of the application submission, to be eligible.

NOTE: In all cases, fiscal sponsors for Project Specific Grant applicants must be nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations that support and expand access to arts and cultural programming For any projects that will be permanently installed in a public or private space, a maintenance plan will be required. Grant applicants are advised to consider and adhere to site control requirements for both public and private facilities not under their ownership. Additionally, they should be mindful of obtaining any required permits or approvals for projects or programs conducted within the City of Fresno's right of way.

Project Specific Grants which may include festivals in parks or streets, or the use of other City owned property (city building, right of way language) must first complete the following:

Emerging Arts and Culture Project Specific Grants are available to eligible Project Specific Grant applicants who do not have two years of fiscal history and/or two years of prior activity supporting and expanding access to arts and culture programming, at the time of application submission.

Emerging Arts and Culture Project Specific Grants will not exceed $50,000 each — prioritizing investment reflective of the cultural, demographic, and geographic diversity of Fresno, supporting and expanding diverse public or youth engagement, and equity.

Project Specific Grants: Approximately 40% of available funding Project specific grants are available to nonprofit arts and culture organizations, nonprofit organizations that support and expand access to arts and cultural programming, and Projects under an eligible Fiscal Sponsor; may apply for projects between $2,000 and $200,000.

Emerging Arts and Culture Project Specific Grants– Approximately 10% of available funding Emerging Arts and Culture Project Specific Grants are available to eligible Project Specific Grant applicants who do not have two years of fiscal history and/or two years of prior activity supporting and expanding access to arts and culture programming, at the time of application submission. Emerging Arts and Culture Project Specific Grants will not exceed $50,000 each— prioritizing investment reflective of the cultural, demographic, and geographic diversity of Fresno, supporting and expanding diverse public or youth engagement, and equity.