Grassroots Arts Program Grant

Funder: North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

Geographic Scope: Gaston County, North Carolina

Program Background:
Since 1977, the North Carolina General Assembly established the Grassroots Arts Program to ensure that every citizen has access to high quality arts experiences. The program provides funding for the arts in all 100 counties in North Carolina primarily through partnerships with local arts councils. Funds are distributed using a per capita-based formula. The Gaston Arts Council is the Provisional County Partner (PCP) designated to manage the Grassroots Grant Program allotment for eligible organizations in Gaston County.

Award Amounts

• Grant Range: $500 and up
• Average Range: $1,500 - $15,000
• Matching Requirement: Dollar-for-dollar cash match from local sources required during applicable fiscal year

Geographic Requirements

• All organizations must reside and carry out projects within Gaston County

Eligible Applicants

• Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations (preferred)
• Nonprofit organizations in nature (may include unincorporated nonprofits with fiscal agents)
• Requirement: Must have been in operation for at least one year
• Ineligibility: Arts organizations that already receive operating support directly from the N.C. Arts Council
• Individual applicants are NOT eligible

Eligible Program/Project Areas

The Grant WILL Fund:

• Program expenses for projects of high artistic merit
• Artist fees and travel
• Space rental
• Marketing and advertising
• Costumes, sets, props
• Equipment rental
• Limited operating expenses for arts organizations only
• Royalties for theater performances

Examples of Commonly Supported Programs:

• Performances
• Festivals
• Art exhibitions
• Art camps and after-school programs
• Artist residencies for K-12 schools
• Artist fees for classes and workshops
• Art walks and studio tours
• Theater performances

The Grant WILL NOT Fund:

• Individual applicants
• Prizes, competitions, scholarships, tuition, or financial awards
• Art supplies or equipment purchases
• Fundraising events
• Purchase of artwork
• Food or beverages for hospitality or entertainment functions
• Capital expenditures
• Internal school programs (band, choral activities, equipment)
• Oral history and history projects
• Interest on loans, fines, or litigation costs

Project Timeline

• FY25-26: Projects must take place between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026
• Only complete applications received by the due date will be considered

Racial and Cultural Diversity Requirement

To ensure that Grassroots-funded arts programs reflect the diversity of North Carolina, a percentage of the grant must be used to hire artists of color (African-American, Asian American, Latino, and Native American) or support African American, Asian American, Latino, or Native American-led organizations.

Important Notes:

• The organization does not have to be an arts organization, but funds must support arts programming
• This requirement is met through supporting arts programming conducted by artists, ensembles, or organizations of color
• Does NOT count audience members or participants of color
• The majority of ensemble artists must be African American, Asian American, Latino, and/or Native American

Panel Review and Funding Priorities

Priority Areas:

1. Applications supporting qualified arts organizations (theaters, symphonies, galleries, art guilds, choral societies, dance companies, folk arts societies, writers' groups, arts festivals)
2. Applications supporting arts learning and arts-in-education programs or projects conducted by qualified artists (residencies, after-school programs, summer camps, adult arts learning classes)
3. Applications supporting community, civic, and municipal organizations providing high-quality arts experiences (programs must be conducted by qualified artists)

Evaluation Criteria:

• Artistic quality of the proposed budget
• Community impact of project or program
• Ability to plan and implement project
• Stability and fiscal responsibility of the organization

Panel Composition:

• 4-6 volunteer members (community members, artists, art leaders, county and public officials)
• One Gaston Arts Council board member serving as chair
• Reflects demographics of the community
• Ensures impartiality in decision-making

Panel Decision Process:

• Panel reviews applications and evaluates based on criteria
• Uses rating system established by NC Arts Council
• Considers geographic distribution of funds in county
• Considers racial and cultural diversity requirement fulfillment
• Recommendations presented to Gaston Arts Council Board of Directors
• Board votes for final approval
• Award letters and contracts issued to recipients

Matching Funds Documentation

• Dollar-for-dollar cash match from local sources required
• Neither Grassroots allocations nor matching funds may be used to match other N.C. Arts Council grants
• All matching funds must be documented in final report at end of fiscal year

Reporting and Documentation Requirements

• Final Report Required: Document use of funds, participant statistics and demographics, verification of matching funds
• Logo Usage: All recipients must prominently display North Carolina Arts Council logo with tagline and credit lines on-site at funded events and in all digital and printed publicity materials (websites, electronic newsletters, etc.)
• Tax Compliance: Submit No Overdue Tax Form
• Legislative Letters: Write state representatives thanking them for appropriating Grassroots funds; provide information about how funds supported program/project and community impact; include copy in final report materials

Contact Information

Gaston Arts Council:

• Phone: (704) 853-ARTS (2787)
• Address: P.O. Box 242, Gastonia, NC 28053

Grant Panel Participation:
Currently seeking nominations for grant review panelists. Submit Panelist Profile Form to GAC staff. Must disclose any conflicts of interest. Grassroots grant applicants cannot serve as panelists.

Logo and Branding

Access NC Arts Council logo and branding materials at: https://www.ncarts.org/grants-resources/resources/logo-branding-materials

Mandatory Workshop Requirement

Grant applicants are required to attend an in-person or virtual Grassroots grant workshop to be eligible to apply. Guidelines change annually.

Application Process

Requirement: All applicants must attend mandatory in-person or virtual Grassroots grant workshop to be eligible to apply.

Application Submission

1. Attend Grant Workshop
   • Virtual or in-person workshop options typically available
   • Required for eligibility; cannot apply without attendance
   • Workshops cover eligibility, guidelines, and application process
2. Prepare Application Materials
   • Complete application including all required components
   • Organize budget narrative and supporting documents
   • Gather matching funds documentation
   • Ensure racial and cultural diversity component is addressed
3. Submit Application
   • Only complete applications received by the deadline will be considered
   • Submission deadline and portal details will be provided with FY 26-27 cycle information

Required Application Components (typical)

• Organization information and contact details
• 501(c)(3) status documentation (or nonprofit status verification)
• Proof of one-year operation in Gaston County
• Project description with timeline (July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026 for FY25-26)
• Detailed budget and budget narrative
• Matching funds documentation and plan
• Evidence of high artistic merit
• Explanation of community impact
• Racial and cultural diversity strategy
• Organizational stability and fiscal responsibility information
• Demonstration of planning and implementation capacity

Important Application Notes

• Guidelines change annually—review current year guidelines carefully
• Deadline: Only complete applications received by deadline will be considered
• Mandatory Attendance: Applicants must attend workshop (in-person or virtual) to be eligible
• Eligibility Verification: Organizations must have been in operation at least one year
• Matching Funds: Document cash match from local sources (dollar-for-dollar requirement)

Post-Award Requirements

• Submit final report documenting use of funds and outcomes
• Provide participant statistics and demographics
• Verify matching funds documentation
• Demonstrate NC Arts Council logo usage in marketing materials
• Submit No Overdue Tax Form
• Write and submit copies of legislative letters thanking state representatives

Contact for Application Questions

Gaston Arts Council:

• Phone: (704) 853-ARTS (2787)
• Address: P.O. Box 242, Gastonia, NC 28053
• Website: gastonarts.org