ASCA: Youth Cultural Heritage Project Grants

ASCA: Youth Cultural Heritage Project Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Alaska State Council on the Arts
Amount: Up to US $10,000
Last Updated: April 26, 2025

Summary

The Alaska State Council on the Arts offers Youth Cultural Heritage Project Grants to support organizations delivering cultural heritage programs for children and youth in Alaska. Funded by the Rasmuson Foundation, these grants aim to enhance cultural knowledge, foster creative engagements, and promote cross-cultural understanding. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, schools, and tribal entities. The program prioritizes cultural heritage groups facing barriers to funding, ensuring diverse representation within Alaska's communities.

Overview

About Alaska State Council on the Arts The Alaska State Council on the Arts funds applications in all areas of the arts: dance, visual arts, literature, music, theater, media arts, and traditional Native arts. The Council also encourages applications that promote and develop the cultural heritage of Alaskans and the creation of new works by Alaskan artists. Youth Cultural Heritage Project Grants The Youth Cultural Heritage Program (YCH), made possible by funding from Rasmuson Foundation and administered by the Alaska State Council on the Arts, is designed to support organizations and groups that deliver cultural heritage programming to children and youth in Alaska. As an initiative of the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Youth Cultural Heritage program places emphasis on teaching and learning in and through culturally-specific art forms, relevant to communities of culture in Alaska. Alaska individuals, 501(c)3 nonprofit arts organizations, tribal entities, private nonprofit schools, and public schools or school districts are eligible to apply for funding and services through the Youth Cultural Heritage program. The goals of Youth Cultural Heritage funding are as follows: Strengthen Alaska children and youth’s cultural knowledge and self-awareness Support direct, creative development opportunities for Alaska children and youth to engage with artists and culture bearersEngage citizens around cultural heritageBridge culture and communitiesCreate greater cross-cultural understanding and empathy

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Youth Cultural Heritage Project Grant applicants may receive one award per state fiscal year and must meet the following eligibility criteria: Be an Alaskan 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, school, unit of government or tribal entity proposing YCH Program-aligned activities;Can provide proof of state of Alaska and federal tax-exempt/non-profit status, in good standing (example: a copy of an IRS letter confirming tax-exempt status);Proposes arts-based, children and/or youth-focused, cultural heritage activities, occurring within the State of Alaska;If the application is from a school, the proposed activity enriches school programming and curricula, but does not supplant arts/cultural instruction or programmingFiscal Agent:If your group is not an eligible organization but operates regularly in the community to deliver cultural heritage programming for children and youth, please contact the grant coordinator to discuss fiscal sponsorships with partner organizations.A fiscal agent may sponsor an otherwise eligible organization or group who has not attained Alaska and federal nonprofit 501(c)3 federal tax exempt status.The applicant organization or group is encouraged to work with ASCA staff/YCH Grant Coordinator prior to submitting an application to determine the need for and to help identify an appropriate fiscal agent if required.A fiscal agent must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization who has a close working relationship with the applicant, has fully reviewed and endorses the proposal; and accepts any and all financial liability and reporting responsibility for the applicant.Grant funds are released directly to the fiscal agent on behalf of the applying organization or group. A template, fiscal sponsorship, letter of support is available from the YCH Grant Coordinator to include with a YCH grant application, if needed.The YCH Project Grant is designed to support organizations and groups that deliver cultural heritage programming to children and youth. Project Grantees will also gather for a cohort convening with the Grant Coordinator, depending on grantee availability and conditions of public health and safety.The program is inclusive of all Alaska’s ethnic cultures and residents.The Project Grant funding may be spent on: artist/culture bearer/Elder fees and stipends, supplies, food, travel and transportation, space and other materials needed for activities. Up to 15% of grant funding may be allocated to administrative, indirect, and staffing costs.An organization may receive no more than one YCH Grant, per fiscal year.

Ineligibility

Capital equipment, construction, fundraising, scholarships, or grants to others are not eligible expenses for YCH Fast Track Grant funds.