BACKGROUND: The Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act recognizes that the nonprofit arts industry is an important sector of America’s economy. In response to the rapidly evolving situation around the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the National Endowment for the Arts awarded 40 percent of its CARES appropriation directly to state and regional arts agencies. The National Endowment for the Arts is directing these funds to support arts organizations and their employees to endure the economic hardships caused by the forced closure of their operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a state agency, the California Arts Council (CAC) voted in a public meeting to direct this funding to the State Local-Partners (SLPs) for re-granting on the county level. In alignment with the CAC’s public mission and commitment to racial equity, and in response to public health data and state leadership practices, funds have been designated to support local arts and cultural organizations serving communities of color disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

Special funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and the CARES Act will allow the CAC to provide a measured and timely response to the continued needs of arts organizations in disproportionately impacted communities throughout the state of California, by distributing the $710,400 at a county level to all 46 SLPs who elected to opt in.

Arts and Culture El Dorado, the State-Local Partner for El Dorado County, will distribute $12,630 among eligible applicant organizations who serve communities of color disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

HOW TO APPLY:

• Review the Guidelines and Funding Restrictions below.
• Application deadline is Wednesday, September 30, 2020, 11:59 p.m.

 

GUIDELINES:

• Eligible applicants are arts and culture organizations based in El Dorado County that serve communities of color:
• Nonprofit 501(c)(3) status not required.
• The organization must include and represent the communities to be served.
• Organization mission must be deeply rooted in and reflective of the identified community or group.
• Arts activities, programs and/or services provided must be culturally relevant and responsive to the identified community or group.
• A funding match is not required.
• Priority will be given to general operating support, project-based support and/or the employment of cultural workers, and not the creation of new projects.
• Program or project must be completed by January 31, 2021.
• A short report on program outcomes and expenditures is required by Monday, February 14, 2021.

 

FUNDING RESTRICTIONS:

• The award may not be used to supplant other state-funded expenses.
• This award may not be used with other sub-granting CARES Act funds.
• The award may not be used to support any of the following expenses:
• Individuals (as applicants)
• Hospitality or food costs
• State agencies (as applicants)
• Federal agencies (as applicants)
• Non-arts organizations not involved in arts activities (as applicants)
• For-profit organizations (as applicants)
• Former grantee organizations not in compliance with CAC grant requirements (as stipulated in grant agreement)
• Fundraising activities or services such as annual campaigns, fundraising events, or grant writing
• Programs or services intended for private use, or for use by restricted membership
• Projects with religious purposes
• Operational, administrative or indirect costs of schools, colleges, or universities, or any activities that are part of the curricular base of these institutions
• Trusts, endowment funds, or investments
• Capital outlay, including construction projects or purchase of land and buildings
• Equipment
• Debt repayment
• Out-of-state travel

QUESTIONS? Email terry@artsandcultureeldorado.org with “CARES grant” in the subject line, or call 530-295-3496. Please allow at least 48 hours for a response; the staff is working remotely.