Artist Grants Program Fund

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

Application Process

Initial Step:
1. Contact Sara Katz at skatz@burlingtoncityarts.org or (802) 865-5356 to inquire about submitting an application for preapproval

Application Requirements:

Grant proposal describing project and intended use of funds

Form W9 (Request for Taxpayer's Identification Number and Certification) with entity name and address for fund disbursement

Project invoices per grant agreement

Post-Award Requirements:

Maintain books and records for efficient reporting to BCAF upon request

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

Submit project invoices with contact and address information matching Form W9

Resources Provided:

Read program guidelines for artist preapproval

Read sample artist agreement

Read sample gift agreement