Fundraising Part 2 of 6 - Government Funding - There Are Only 4 Basic Sources of Contributed Income

Stated simply, Government donations are NOT private funding.

Typically Government funding that can be applied for comes from taxation of some sort or lawsuits the government has won and is now responsible for distributing.

There are also four basic sources of Government funding.

1. International

2. Federal

3. State

4. County

Let's start with #1 - International.  As American's, and speaking from my experience of only working from within the US so far, one source of International funding is the United Nations.  The United Nations has some funds available for projects that help to show collaboration between nations for artistic projects.  NOTE: please, you will need to do you own research and inquiries for possible funding.  The purpose of this Blog series is to better educate on various types of funding, not give specific directions on how to apply.

Going from large scale and moving closer to home, #2 is Federal funding.  The most common type of Federal funding for the arts comes from the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA).  The NEA ONLY funds certified non profits / 501(c)3 organizations.  The NEA has a variety of funding options.  One of the most common that arts organizations applies for are Fast Track Grants, formerly know as Our Town.  Fast Track Grants are for $10,000 and typically help to fund the creation of new art or community engagement and education of art.  New art could be art itself, compositions, or a collaboration of new and in existence.

Here are some useful Federal links.  

All government grant seekers must register through Grants.gov -   http://grants.gov/

For researching NEA possibilities -  http://www.nea.gov/grants/

For researching National Endowment for the Humanities - http://www.neh.gov/grants

Next comes #3, State funding.  

All 50 states and the six U.S. jurisdictions (American Samoa, District of Columbia, Guam, Northern Marianas, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) have state arts agencies. Visit National Assembly of State Arts Agencies's (NASAA) state arts agency directory to learn more about your own state arts agency. - http://www.nasaa-arts.org/About/State-Arts-Agency-Directory.php

What do state arts agencies do?

State arts agencies increase public access to the arts and work to ensure that every community in America enjoys the cultural, civic, economic and educational benefits of a thriving arts sector. To do this, state arts agencies:

• provide grant funding for artists, arts institutions, schools and community groups;
• offer training and information that strengthens the management and entrepreneurial skills of artists and arts organizations;
• support in- and out-of-school arts activities for young people;
• lead special initiatives to foster economic and civic development through the arts;
• advance arts education through teacher training, curriculum development and assessment projects;
• conduct research that documents the impact of the arts;
• educate the public about the essential role of the arts in American life;
• preserve and celebrate the unique cultural traditions of each state;
• recognize and promote artistic achievement.

How can I apply for state arts agency funding?

Every state arts agency offers a unique combination of grants and services for artists, arts organizations, schools and community groups. Get started by learning about the programs your state arts agency offers and considering how your goals and your agency's goals are a good match. NASAA's state arts agency directory has contact and website information to help you begin. Taking the time to talk with your state arts agency's knowledgeable staff will start you on the path for applying for funding.

And finally, #4 County.  This is where it gets hard to be specific for all areas.  Some have it, some don't.  For example, some city's have arts funds, some don't.  Googling and research will be needed in this area.  County funding is an area where county lawsuits can sometimes help arts non profits.  One great example is in Erie, PA.  Due to a lawsuit between the County of Erie and a casino within the county who had tables that were weighted unfairly, the county has large sums of money to donate to large arts non profits.  In the last several years the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority has been able to give millions to local arts non profits.

Stay tuned.  In a few days we'll help to explain corporate giving!