The Projects Pool Grants program, managed by Arts Culture Catawba, provides funding to nonprofit organizations to enhance arts, culture, and history in Catawba County, North Carolina. This program is funded through allocations from the North Carolina Arts Council’s Grassroots Arts Program and supplemented by local government support. It aims to strengthen the cultural community and broaden the range of services offered to county residents. Applications are open until 5:00 PM on March 20, 2025, and applicants will be required to present their proposals to the Projects Pool Grant Panel on April 7, 2025.

Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status or secure a fiscal agent with such status. Organizations must have been active for at least a year and governed by a representative board. Schools, colleges, and universities may apply if their projects promote broad community engagement. While individual artists are not eligible to apply, grantees may contract their services for project execution. Applications from organizations outside Catawba County are accepted if the project occurs within the county. Priority funding is directed toward arts, science, and history organizations, arts-in-education initiatives, and community programs conducted by qualified artists.

Grant awards require a dollar-for-dollar cash match, which can be anticipated but not replaced by in-kind contributions. Applicants may request up to $10,000, and funds are distributed in two installments: half before the project begins and the remainder upon completion and submission of a final report. Funds cannot be used for deficit funding, permanent personnel, construction, or other capital expenditures. Projects must occur between July 1, 2025, and June 15, 2026, and align with the program’s objectives to promote innovation, artistic excellence, and community inclusivity.

The evaluation process includes a committee review and an interview with the applicant’s organization. Strong proposals demonstrate community support, involvement of professional artists, and responsiveness to community needs. They prioritize underserved audiences, racial minorities, older adults, and people with disabilities. Projects should also aim to strengthen organizational infrastructure, develop new audiences, and promote innovation in arts education and outreach. Proposals for new or significantly expanded initiatives are favored, although ongoing projects may receive declining support over time.

Applicants must submit a complete online application, including a prior fiscal year’s income and expense statement, operating budgets for the current and next fiscal years, and any additional documentation as specified. Submissions should be saved and managed through the Arts Culture Catawba website, with applicants encouraged to draft their responses offline to prevent data loss. Once submitted, applicants will receive a confirmation email.

Organizations receiving funding are required to sign a contract, ensure project visibility through publicity efforts, and credit Arts Culture Catawba and the North Carolina Arts Council in all promotional materials. A final report summarizing the project’s impact is mandatory, and noncompliance may affect future funding eligibility. For further assistance, applicants can contact the Grants & Resources Coordinator at Arts Culture Catawba.