Artist Grants Program Fund

Artist Grants Program Fund

Funder: Burlington City Arts Foundation Inc (VT, US)

Program Overview: The BCA Foundation's Artist Grants Program Fund makes grants and philanthropic funding accessible to Vermont artists or small arts organizations that may not have 501(c)(3) status.

Geographic Scope

• Vermont artists and small arts organizations

Program Structure

• Uses a Fiscal Sponsorship model where projects are supported through a pre-approved grant relationship
• BCAF does not assume ownership or responsibility of the project
• Each project remains the sole responsibility of the grantee
• Grantee is fully liable for managing its own tax obligations, vendor relations, and compliance reporting

Key Responsibilities

BCAF Role:
• Receive grants and donations in support of the project
• Grant funds at its discretion to the project
• Assure that project funds are used to accomplish ends described in the grant proposal

Grantee Responsibilities:

Manage own tax obligations

Manage vendor relations and compliance reporting

Maintain books and records for efficient reporting to BCAF upon request

Submit Final Report (required to distribute final 25% of grant funds)

Important Terms & Restrictions

Tax Liability:

Grant funds are not necessarily exempt from income tax liability

Grantees are responsible for own tax reporting and liabilities

Personal or business income taxes are NOT eligible expenses

BCAF will issue Form 1099 for the tax year equal to amount of funds disbursed

BCAF will not issue 1099 corrections except in case of BCAF error

Vendor Payment:

BCAF will not pay vendors or subcontractors on behalf of grantee

BCAF distributes grant funds directly to grantee based on project invoices

Grantee is responsible for paying vendors and subcontractors directly

Fund Administration:

BCAF retains 7% of donations received for a project to administrate the grant

Grantee Identification:

BCAF will not revise or modify the identity of a project's named grantee after grant agreement has been executed

Contact and address information on project invoices must match information on grantee's Form W9

Donor Agreement:

All donors must sign an agreement recognizing that recommendations are advisory only and not binding upon BCAF

All grants must be approved by BCAF Board of Directors

Eligibility

• Vermont artists
• Small arts organizations without 501(c)(3) status
• Must establish pre-approval relationship before submitting application

Recommendations

• BCA Foundation recommends artists establish a relationship with professional advisors prior to submitting an application and accepting grant funds
• Note: BCA Foundation cannot and will not provide advice concerning potential forms of business operation or entity, tax liabilities or tax reporting matters

Contact Information

• Artist Inquiries: Sara Katz, skatz@burlingtoncityarts.org, (802) 865-5356
• Donor Inquiries: Director of Philanthropy, jcameron@burlingtoncityarts.org, (802) 865-7595
• Organization Address: 405 Pine Street, Burlington, VT
• Website: burlingtoncityartsfoundation.org