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UMEZ Cultural Aid Fund

UPPER MANHATTAN EMPOWERMENT ZONE

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Funding Amount

Varies

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

UMEZ Cultural Aid Fund

Status: Temporary emergency fund (established May 5, 2020)

Geographic Scope: Upper Manhattan (Central Harlem, West Harlem, East Harlem, Washington Heights, and Inwood)

Funding Amount: Total $500,000 distributed to 17 organizations

Focus Areas:

  • Arts and culture organizations

  • Nonprofit cultural institutions

  • Arts education organizations

    • Eligibility:

  • Previous UMEZ Cultural Investments grantees

  • Organizations meeting current eligibility requirements

  • Organizations impacted by COVID-19 governmental closures

    • What They Fund:

  • Operating needs during pandemic

  • Transition of in-person programs to online programming

  • Continued programming and organizational operations

  • Staff retention and payroll support

    • Award Type:

  • Flexible grants designed for organizational needs

  • Invitation-only, application-based award process

    • Background:

  • Established in response to COVID-19 pandemic

  • Designed to support cultural organizations impacted by governmental closures

  • Provided temporary emergency relief to arts sector in Upper Manhattan

  • Example beneficiary: Harlem School of the Arts - supported transition of 200+ classes online, reaching 800+ students

    • Contact Information:

  • Email: info@umez.org

  • Phone: (212) 410-0030

  • Address: 55 West 125th Street, New York, NY 10027

    • Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    artsnonprofits

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